UK National Academic Recognition Information Centre (UK NARIC)

From as early as 1999, UK NARIC conducted an assessment of CAPE and agreed that the qualification is of the highest standard. Here are excerpts from Christopher West, Head of UK NARIC:

“I have been impressed by the structure and content of the CAPE and in particular the flexibility to offer various combinations of breadth and depth.  The inclusion of core courses is also helpful in preparing students for higher education in an international context.

In examining the syllabus content and duration of CAPE courses, we have concluded that the qualifications resulting from two-subject courses are comparable to GCE Advanced level i.e. in the following subjects: Accounting, Biology, Chemistry, French, History, Literatures in English, Mathematics, Physics and Spanish and should be acceptable entry qualifications for single subject degrees in these subjects (with the caveat that entrance grades will vary).

We will be pleased to commend CAPE as a higher education entry qualification to UK higher education institutions and to present its full flexibility.  Our objective would be to ensure that CAPE is well understood by the full range of admissions tutors so that students with CAPE qualification will maximise their personal benefits from UK higher education.”

Examination Assessment

Performance of students is assessed in a terminal examination and an internal assessment (IA) commonly called School Based Assessment (SBA). The internal assessment enables the teacher to provide opportunity for students to acquire skills and attitudes through activities done during the course of study. The internal assessment of the students contributes to the final grade awarded.

CXC Grading Schemes

The CAPE examinations uses seven overall grades: I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII in reporting candidate's overall results along with the profile grades, A, B, C, D, E, F and G.

Recognition of CXC examinations and certification

CXC examinations and certification are accepted regionally and internationally.

Entry to Tertiary Institutions

Regional Universities, tertiary institutions and external educational institutions in Canada, the United States of America (USA) and United Kingdom (UK) have accepted CSEC and CAPE certification for matriculation and entry level programmes, based on the institution's requirements for a particular course of study.

The University of the West Indies and University of Guyana will accept six CAPE Units for normal matriculation.

The UK National Academic Recognition Information Centre (UK NARIC), the only body which advises universities on entry qualifications has also recommended six CAPE Units for general entry requirements to British higher education institutions.

Today, the CAPE qualifications are treated similarly to UK Advanced level qualifications.  Recently, the Council has engaged in collaborative discussions with US-based Universities in an effort to align CAPE programmes with the entry level programmes offered by these universities and also with a view to students receiving credits and exemptions in selected subject areas.

On achieving certification of certain cluster of subjects, students can use several combinations of these subjects for optimal opportunities in choosing specific areas of study.