The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) will introduce major changes to its School-Based Assessment (SBA) system as schools adapt to the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI).

The new measures will begin in the 2027 academic year. CXC said the changes will protect the integrity of its examinations while recognising that AI is changing how students learn and complete assignments.

CXC Registrar and Chief Executive Officer Dr Wayne Wesley said the council is not trying to discourage students from using generative AI. Instead, he said the reforms will help ensure that assessments continue to measure each student’s own work.

The council will keep SBAs for practical subjects that require hands-on skills. These include Agricultural Science, Visual Arts, Music, Physical Education, Technical Drawing, and Food, Nutrition and Health. CXC also plans to strengthen the moderation process for these assessments.

However, CXC will remove traditional SBAs from non-practical subjects. These include Mathematics, English, Caribbean History, Social Studies, and Principles of Business.

Students taking these subjects will instead complete Paper 032 under examination conditions. They will receive the assessment topic about one month before the exam. They will also have extra time to complete the paper and may bring reference notes into the examination room.

CXC Director of Operations Dr Nicole Manning said the new approach will support deeper learning while improving confidence in the authenticity of students’ work. She added that employers, universities, parents, and students all depend on the credibility of CXC qualifications.

The new system will first apply to CAPE candidates in non-practical subjects during the May–June 2027 examinations.

For CSEC, schools may choose either the traditional SBA or Paper 032 in 2027. However, all non-practical subjects will move to Paper 032 for the May–June 2028 examinations.

CXC also confirmed that students will continue to transfer SBA scores under the existing two-year policy. Paper 032 scores will qualify for the same transfer policy from 2027.