CXC to Phase Out SBA Requirement for Some Subjects Amid Rise of AI

The Caribbean Examinations Council has announced major reforms to its School-Based Assessment (SBA) framework starting 2027, including phasing out the traditional SBA for some subjects.

The examinations body says the extensive reforms are aimed at strengthening assessment integrity across Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) and Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, in response to the rapid rise of Generative AI and other technological innovations.

CXC says, “For subjects that are genuinely practical in nature, where hands-on, project-based assessment captures competencies that a traditional examination room cannot, such as Agricultural Science, Visual Arts, Music, Physical Education, Technical Drawing, and Food Nutrition and Health, the SBA will be retained and its moderation strengthened.”

However, it says the traditional SBA will be phased out for non-practical based subjects, including Mathematics, English, Caribbean History, Social Studies, Principles of Business, and Information Technology.

A release from CXC says, “In its place, candidates will be required to sit Paper 032, the existing alternative assessment, under examination conditions but with three significant adjustments designed to preserve reflective, extended learning:

1. Candidates will receive their examination topics approximately one month in advance;

2. Additional time will be allocated for the completion of the assessment; and,

3. Candidates will be permitted to bring reference notes into the examination room.

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