1972
The Agreement Establishing the Council is signed in Barbados by the governments of 15 English-speaking Caribbean territories.
1973
The signing of the Supplementary Agreement in 1973 created an Administrative and Operational Centre (AOC) in Jamaica called the West Zone Office.
The Council held its first meeting under the Chairmanship of Dr (later Sir) Roy Marshall, Vice Chancellor of the University of the West Indies in Barbados.
1974
The Second Council meeting is held in Guyana under the Chairmanship of Dr Dennis Irvine WZO became operational.
1975
August, Mrs Irene Walter appointed first Pro Registrar.
Council decided to conduct the first examinations in 1979 in Mathematics, English, Caribbean History, Integrated Science and Geography.
1976
The term Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) approved for the Council’s certificate.
The School Examinations Committee (SEC) approved syllabuses for Geography, History, Mathematics, English and Integrated Science.
1977
September, syllabuses for the five subjects were distributed to ministries of education and schools.
1978
The first draft of examinations paper for 1979 examinations completed.
1979
May/June, the Council conducted its inaugural examinations for CSEC in English, Geography, History and Mathematics at General and Basic Proficiencies and Integrated Science as a pilot subject.
Thirteen of the 14 Participating Territories presented candidates for the first Examinations.
Thirty thousands, two hundred and seventy-six (30 276) candidates entered Fifty-eight thousand, seven hundred and eight (58,708) subject entries were received for the first Examination.
July 16, first marking exercise started in Barbados and Jamaica with 337 markers involved.
1980
CXC introduced regulations to accommodate re-sit candidates for subjects with SBAs Grades I and II.
recognised as equivalent to GCE O’Level A, B and C by University of the West Indies, University of Guyana, Joint Matriculation Board of the UK and Admissions Offices in the US and Canada.
1981
Trinidad and Tobago became the third marking centre.
1982
CXC accepted private candidates to write the examinations for the first time.
1983
Markers from Anguilla were recruited for the first time.
Antigua and Barbuda offered candidates for the first time in subjects apart from Integrated Science.
1985
Anguilla offered candidates for the examinations for the first time.
1986
Netherlands Antilles offered students for the first time.
1988
Regional Top Awards for outstanding performance in CSEC were introduced.
1989
A January sitting of the examination was introduced.
Technical Proficiency was piloted.
1995
Saba presented candidates for the first time.
1997
Candidate entries passed the one hundred thousand milestone (109, 633).
1998
The CSEC Grading Scheme changed from a five-point scale to a 6-point scale.
The Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) offered for the first time.
2001
The University of the West Indies partnered with CXC to offer scholarship for CSEC Regional Top Awardees.
2003
CSEC Visual Arts Exhibition introduced and hosted in Barbados and Jamaica.
2006
CSEC subject entries passed the half-million mark (528 289).
CAPE Regional Top Awards are presented for the first time.
