CSEC Explained
The CSEC examination, also known as CXC, is a Caribbean based assessment that includes a wide range of subjects, including English Language and Literature. The syllabus starts in grade 10 and ends in the third term of grade 11, with examinations across the Caribbean islands. For more information, go to www.cxc.org
2018 - 2021
ENGLISH A (English Language)
Paper 01 (1 hour and 30 minutes)
- 60 compulsory multiple choice questions.
- Section one consists of 25 discrete items.
- Section two consists of 35 reading comprehension items.
- Reading comprehensions are based on 5 stimuli: 1 poem, 1 literary extract, 1 expository extract, 1 argumentative extract, 1 visual extract.
- One (1) mark is applied to each question.
- The total amount of marks is 60.
- Paper 01 contributes 29% of the final assessment.
Paper 02 (2 hours and 55 minutes)
- The paper is divided in 4 sections.
- Section 1 consists of one compulsory summary. [25 marks]
- Section 2 consists of one compulsory expository piece. [30 marks]
- The students' response may take the form of an e-mail, letter, report, notice or article.
- Section 3 consists of 2 optional questions on a short story. [25 marks]
- Section 4 consists of 1 compulsory argumentative essay questions. [25 marks]
- The format will vary from year to year; speech, letter to the editor, essay.
- Paper 02 is worth 105 marks and contributes 50% towards the final assessment.
Paper 03/1 (School Based Assessment)
- This SBA is credited for both English A and B, so only 1 SBA is required for the 2 subjects.
- The SBA is conducted by a group; 4-5 students sharing a general topic.
- Each group member will create a portfolio, individually, that is based on an issue, topic, theme or event.
- The portfolios will be assessed on an individual, as well as a group basis.
- The portfolio has six sections; plan of investigation/ participation measure/ indicators of group activity/reflection/ written report/ oral report.
- PLAN OF INVESTIGATION: An introduction that should be no more than 100 words.
- It should answer the following questions; Why did you choose this issue/topic/theme/event? What are the expected benefits to you as a student? How do you intend to collect relevant information on your issue/topic/theme/event and use this in your presentation?
- PARTICIPATION MEASURE: A measure of the candidate's individual participation assessed by self and teacher.
- INDICATORS OF GROUP ACTIVITY: 3 pieces of data (print/audio/visual media) must be collected and presented in the portfolio and should address the issue/topic/ theme/event.
- These medias will form the basis for the process of enquiry and group/individual activities.
- REFLECTION: 3 entries are required, in which students reflect on the issue/topic/theme/event that should be completed.
- 1st entry indicates how each piece of data helped to shape his or her's thinking about the issue/topic/theme/event. 2d entry should discuss the use of language in the data selected and 3d journal entry should state how the process of doing the SBA helped the student to become a better person.
- The journal entries should be written in class, under the supervision of the teacher.
- WRITTEN REPORT: This is a summary of the processes, procedures and outcomes of the research. It should include the data collected, reasons for selection of data and analysis of the data.
- This should be 200-250 words in total.
- ORAL PRESENTATION: A personal response related to the issue/theme/topic/event should be delivered orally in 3 to 5 minutes.
- Delivery should be in standard English and in a genre of the students' choosing, for example; drama, poetry, prose, role play, speech, argument and exposition.
- The student should give a brief overview of the presentation. This includes; genre chosen, the sources and the language that are used in the data.
- Paper 03/1 is worth 45 marks and contributes 21% to the final assessment.
Paper 03/2 (Alternative to School Based Assessment)
- This is an alternative paper to the SBA.
- This paper consists of a guided critique of three pieces of stimulus material: 1. an excerpt from a recent newspaper article on a topical issue 2. a cartoon strip or lyrics to a song on the same topical issue 3. a poem, short story, public speech (extract) on the same issue.
- Students will answer 3 questions: 2 questions will require short answer responses and one question will require the creation of an imaginative piece in response to the theme selected.
- Students will be required to respond to questions based on an oral presentation.
|
|
ENGLISH B (English Literature)
Paper 1
Paper 2
HOME
Paper 1
- The duration of the exam is 2 hours.
- It is worth 29% of the total assessment.
- All questions are compulsory.
- Three genres will be represented; drama, poetry and prose.
- Each genre will have two pieces of stimuli, one piece will be Caribbean, the second piece will be from another region/ territory.
- 10 questions will be set on each stimulus.
- Total = 60 marks
Paper 2
- The duration of the exam is 2 hrs, 10 minutes.
- Section 1 is Drama (Shakespeare and Modern Drama).
- This section consists of 2 questions from each text.
- 35 marks are allotted for each question.
- Candidates must answer one question from this question.
- Section 2 is Poetry (A selection of poems from the prescribed list)
- This section consists of 2 comparative sections.
- There is one generic question where candidates use two appropriate choices from the prescribed list of poems.
- There is one question based on 2 named poems from the prescribed list
- 35 marks are allotted for each question.
- Candidates must answer one question from this question.
- Section 3 is Prose fiction ( West Indian novel OR novels in English OR West Indian short story)
- This consists of 4 questions.
- 2 questions; 1 question is on each prescribed novel.
- 1 generic question allowing candidates to use 2 appropriate choices from the prescribed list of short stories.
- 1 question based on 2 short stories from the prescribed list.
- 35 marks are allocated for each question.
- Candidates must answer one question from this section.
HOME
