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subject that the SBA for the CAPE® Sciences should follow the same format as the CSEC® Sciences.
They were of the view that the inclusion of the project would enable the students to experience
authentic learning and be better prepared for further education and real life. The candidates will be
required to do a research project in any one Unit of the CAPE® Sciences. A student may opt to carry
out either an observational research-based project or an experimental research-based project. More
details were written on the project to provide clarification and additional guidance to the users of the
syllabus. Included were the objectives for completing the project and the detailed marking criteria.
The objectives of the project are that on completion of the research project students should:

(a) appreciate the use of the scientific method for discovery of new knowledge and to
the solution of problems;

(b) communicate accurately and effectively the purpose and results of research;

(c) analyse relevant literature;

(d) apply experimental skills and theory to the solution of problems; and,

(e) synthesise information based on data collected.

17. The Assistant Registrar/EDPD explained that candidates will be required to do one research
project in any Unit of any of the CAPE® Sciences (Biology, Chemistry or Physics) in the first sitting, and
can use that mark for the other Units of the Sciences. For example, a candidate may do a project in
Unit 2 Physics in the first sitting, get a mark out of 9 and then (transfer) use that mark for Unit 1
Physics, Units 1 and 2 Chemistry and Units 1 and 2 Biology. The EDPD Officer also shared with the
members of the Panel, the revised table as shown below which illustrates the allocation of marks to
the skills assessed by the SBA. He stated that a maximum of two skills may be assessed by any one
experiment.

Table showing the School-Based Assessment Skills for CAPE® Chemistry
Skill Unit 1 Unit 2
Observation, Recording and Reporting 9 9
Manipulation and Measurement 9 9

Analysis and Interpretation 9 9
Planning and Designing 9 9
Project 9 9

TOTAL 45 marks 45 marks

18. Respondents to the survey were asked to indicate additional changes, if any, that should be
made to the form of the examination to allow for adequate assessment of candidates’ performance
on the syllabus. While six respondents had no additional changes, three voiced concerns about the
Paper 02 comprising only 3 questions, one from each Module each worth 30 marks. They were of the
opinion that the breadth and depth of the syllabus were too extensive and therefore rendered it
difficult to test with only three questions. In response to this concern, the Assistant Registrar/EDPD
stated that this format will allow for the inclusion of not only structured questions but also more essay-
type questions.

19. The Assistant Registrar/EDPD informed the meeting that the weighting for the assessment will
be the same as with the current syllabus which is 40 per cent each for papers 01 and 02 and 20 per

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