BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – The Barbados-based Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) Friday described as “very successful” the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations that were, for the first time, administered in full electronic and hybrid formats.
CXC’s Registrar and chief executive officer, Dr. Wayne Wesley, told a news conference that for the first time in its history, CXC administered a fully electronic and hybrid examination session for the January 2026 cycle, describing it as “a landmark achievement in our ongoing digital transformation journey across the region”.
He said he was therefore pleased to present an update on the January 2026 examination session in the context of the CXC’s e-transition initiative, which is reshaping the assessment of student learning in the Caribbean.
He said more than 10,481 candidates sat examinations across 17 Caribbean states, totaling 17,695 subject entries, and that the examinations ran from January 5-29, four days longer than the 2025 schedule. Watch video
He said this was done to accommodate the new electronic delivery modality for high-volume subjects such as Mathematics and English.
“In recognition of the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa on Jamaica, CXC granted special humanitarian consideration to affected schools. A total of 708 subject entries across 29 centres, representing approximately 4% of the total entries, were permitted to complete examinations using the traditional paper-based method. “
Wesley said that this covered 12 CSEC subjects and reflects CXC’s commitment to equity and compassion in the face of natural disasters.
“Students across the Caribbean are ready for e-examinations, and CXC is ready to meet the moment. The initial feedback from our student candidates, who are, in the vast majority, digital natives, has been very positive.
“Living and operating in the digital domain comes naturally for our students. We must design learning assessments that align with how they process knowledge and learn, and with how they develop and improve new and existing competencies.
“We are also happy to report positive experiences from the countries where these examinations were conducted with both electronic and hybrid delivery, which is not to say there weren’t any challenges or room for improvement, but I wish to assure everyone that none of these issues compromise the integrity of the January 2026 examinations.”
The CXC Registrar said that where operational issues arose, they were addressed swiftly at the centre level, with support from ministries of education, information technology (IT) administrators and technicians, or in direct collaboration with CXC.
“Be assured that in all cases where an examination delay occurred, candidates were not awarded the full amount or loss of time. In all cases submitted for compassionate consideration, the requests will be reviewed and processed in accordance with established procedures.
“No candidate will be adversely penalised as a result of the irregularities that were outside CXC or their control. I can therefore confidently report to all our stakeholders that despite the scale and novelty of this undertaking, the Jamaica 2026 examinations were carried out successfully.”
Wesley said this process is “truly a success,” praising all stakeholders and adding that it gives CXC the momentum for the May and June examinations.
“The success demonstrates that digital examination delivery is not only viable, but it is also the future of our Caribbean,” he added.
The CXC was established in 1972 under an agreement among participating Caribbean governments, created as a regional institution to replace British-based exams with relevant local examinations, and formally launched with the agreement of 15 Commonwealth Caribbean countries.
The first exams were conducted in 1979.
Download video – CXC Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Wayne Wesley
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