Q: What is CAPE?

A: CAPE stands for Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination.  It is considered  a Post-Secondary Education qualification as it is normally written when students are in the sixth form years of secondary schools.

Q: What are the Subjects being offered at the CAPE Level

A: CXC offers CAPE examinations in  22 two-unit subjects and 2 one-unit  subjects. The two 1-unit subjects are Caribbean Studies and Communication Studies. Mathematics is the only subject with two different syllabuses, each with two units. These are Pure Mathematics and Applied Mathematics. The following are the recommended two-unit combinations for Mathematics.

• Pure Mathematics Units 1 & 2
• Applied Mathematics Units 1 & 2
• Pure Mathematics Unit 1 and Applied Mathematics Unit 2

Click here for further details of CAPE subjects.

Q: What is the difference between Cape Applied Mathematics and Pure Mathematics?

A: The main emphasis of the Applied Mathematics course is on developing the ability of the students to start with a problem, in non-mathematical form and transform it into mathematical language.  It focuses on the application of Mathematics in other domains using topics such as Statistics, Probability, discrete mathematics and Particle Mechanics.  The Pure Mathematics syllabus is more abstract in nature and while some of the content may have applications in other fields of study, the focus is on developing competence in mathematics itself in preparation for further studies.  Topics covered include Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, Complex Numbers and Calculus.

Q: What qualifications are required before I can attempt CAPE?

A: There is no qualification requirement to pursue CAPE examinations but some subject areas strongly recommend that the CSEC level studies in the subject area be covered before pursuing CAPE studies.

Q: Must I attempt Unit 1 before proceeding to Unit 2?

A: There is no requirement to attempt Unit 1 before Unit 2. Both Units can be attempted simultaneously or Unit 2 can be attempted before Unit 1. Only the Mathematics and the Chemistry syllabuses recommend the Pure Mathematics Unit1 and Chemistry Unit 1 respectively be attempted before the corresponding Unit 2.

Q: How many subjects can a student write at one sitting.

A: Students can sit for as many Units as they wish at a single sitting. CXC encourages candidates who intend to pursue university studies or wish to compete for National Scholarships to do at least eight Units; three 2-Unit subjects in their area of focus and Communication Studies and Caribbean Studies.

Q: Is there an internal assessment associated with every CAPE Unit?

A: An internal assessment is required in each Unit with the following exceptions:            `

1. If a candidate is repeating the examination for a particular unit and opts to reuse the internal assessment mark from a previous examination of that unit. The internal assessment mark is valid for reuse for a period of two years and such a candidate is referred to as a resit candidate.

2. A candidate is writing both units of any one of eight specially designed subjects in the same sitting. The candidate can opt to do the internal assessment in one of the units and use that mark in the other unit. Such a candidate is called a transfer candidate. There are only eight subjects for which a candidate may transfer internal assessment marks from one unit to the other. The subjects are Economics, French, History, Law, literatures in English, Management of Business, Sociology and Spanish.

3. A private candidate may opt to write the Alternative to Internal Assessment paper if it is offered in that subject. A private candidate is someone who is not in a full-time educational institution. A private candidate is registered for classes at a part-time centre or an educational institution not recognized by the Council as a full-time educational institution.

Q: What exam papers do I need to complete when studying by myself?

A: Private candidates are required to write the compulsory papers but will have the option of not completing the internal assessment (IA) or school based assessment (SBA). Such a candidate may opt to write the alternative to the IA/SBA paper. This paper assesses the same skills as those assessed by the IA/SBA.

Q: Why do some candidates appear to have better Module Grades but a lower overall Subject Grade when compared to other candidates.

A: CAPE results are reported as an overall Unit grade (Roman numerals I to VII) and three Module grades (letters A to G). Each overall grade indicates that the candidate has earned a score that lies somewhere along the band of scores associated with that grade. The same is true for each Module grade.

So, we may have two candidates whose results look like this:

Maria may have earned her Grade I with a Module 1 score that was far above the cut-off score for an A, her Modules 2 and 3 scores that were far  above the cut-off scores for a B and C respectively.  Joe, on the other hand, may have a score just above or at the cut-off score for an A on Module 1, and may be just above the cut scores for a B on Modules 2 and 3.

Thus,  when the module scores are added for Maria to give the overall score that score  places Maria in the Grade I band.  On the other hand when the module scores are added for Joe the overall score is less than the minimum score required for a Grade I.  The overall scores reflect different overall Grades because of different patterns of performance with respect to the Modules.

Q: What grades are pass grades for CAPE?

A: Grades I – V are considered acceptable Grades for further study.

Q:  If I take an exam and get a grade 3 the first time and a grade 4 the second time does the higher grade still stand?

A: A certificate is issued for every sitting. The candidate uses the certificate to his/her benefit.

Q: What are the requirements for an associate degree?

A: Reference may be made to the Associate Degree manual.

Q: Is CSEC Additional Mathematics a pre-requiste for CAPE Additional Mathematics?

CXC has not stated that Additional Mathematics is a pre-requisite for CAPE Maths.  However some school administrations may recommend this.  This would be school policy rather than CXC policy.