Page 18 - CXC Frequently Asked Questions_flipbook trialvfinal
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Question: Must I attempt Unit 1 before proceeding to Unit 2?
Answer: There is no requirement to attempt Unit 1 before Unit 2. Both Units can be attempted
simultaneously or Unit 2 can be attempted before Unit 1. Only the Mathematics and the
Chemistry syllabuses recommend the Pure Mathematics Unit1 and Chemistry Unit 1
respectively be attempted before the corresponding Unit 2.
Question: How many subjects can a student write at one sitting?
Answer: Students can sit for as many Units as they wish at a single sitting. CXC encourages
candidates who intend to pursue university studies or wish to compete for National
Scholarships to do at least eight Units; three 2-Unit subjects in their area of focus and
Communication Studies and Caribbean Studies.
Question: Is there an internal assessment associated with every CAPE Unit?
Answer: An internal assessment is required in each Unit with the following exceptions: `
If a candidate is repeating the examination for a particular unit and opts to reuse the internal
assessment mark from a previous examination of that unit. The internal assessment mark is
valid for reuse for a period of two years and such a candidate is referred to as a resit candidate.
A candidate is writing both units of any one of eight specially designed subjects in the same
sitting. The candidate can opt to do the internal assessment in one of the units and use that
mark in the other unit. Such a candidate is called a transfer candidate. There are only eight
subjects for which a candidate may transfer internal assessment marks from one unit to the
other. The subjects are Economics, French, History, Law, literatures in English, Management of
Business, Sociology and Spanish.
A private candidate may opt to write the Alternative to Internal Assessment paper if it is
offered in that subject. A private candidate is someone who is not in a full-time educational
institution. A private candidate is registered for classes at a part-time centre or an educational
institution not recognized by the Council as a full-time educational institution.
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