CXC says Caribbean ready for electronic exams after successful rollout

The Caribbean is ready to transition to electronic examinations following the successful rollout of digital testing during the January 2026 sitting of the Caribbean Examinations Council Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate exams, according to the organization’s chief executive.

Wayne Wesley said Friday that the results demonstrate the region’s readiness to move toward digital assessment.

“The success demonstrates that digital examination delivery is not only viable; it is the future of our Caribbean,” Wesley said during a press conference.

The exams were administered primarily on-screen using CXC’s digital e-assessment and hybrid e-assessment systems. More than 10,000 candidates across 17 countries sat the exams, which ran from Jan. 4 to Jan. 29 and recorded 17,695 subject entries.

Wesley said the exams were conducted successfully in Jamaica despite challenges following the impact of Hurricane Melissa, which struck the island in October 2025.

In some cases, paper-based exams were still permitted to ensure accessibility. A total of 708 subject entries across 29 centers completed exams using traditional paper methods, covering 12 subjects.

Wesley, who also serves as registrar of the CXC, said the decision reflected the council’s commitment to equity and flexibility while the region transitions toward digital testing.

Although the rollout encountered some challenges, he said they were quickly addressed and did not compromise the integrity of the exams.

“The initial feedback from our student candidates, who in the vast majority are digital natives, has been very positive,” Wesley said. “Living and operating in the digital domain comes naturally for our students. We must design learning assessments that are congruent and aligned with how they process knowledge and learn and improve new and existing competencies.”