CSEC ENGLISH A EXAM OUTLINE 2018-2025
FORMAT OF THE EXAMINATIONS: ENGLISH A
The English A examination is offered at the General Proficiency level. The Assessment comprises
three papers, Paper 01, Paper 02, and Paper 031 or Paper 032. Papers 01 and 02 are assessed
externally.
Paper 031 is the School-Based Assessment (SBA) and is assessed internally by the teacher and
moderated by CXC. Paper 032is an Alternative to the SBA and is intended for candidates registered
as private candidates.
Paper 01:
The duration of the exam is 1 hr, 30 mins
It is worth 29% of the total assessment (This has been changed from 24%)
The paper contains 60 compulsory multiple choice items
Section 1 has 25 discreet items (This has been changed from 20)
The comprehension passages come in the form of examples from: (novels, short stories,
biographies, diaries, letters);
• one expository extract (encyclopaedia extract, reports, instructions, newspaper articles, texts
of speeches, transcript of conversations);
• one argumentative extract (for example, an advertisement, a speech or a letter to the editor);
• one visual extract (for example, table, chart, form, diagram, map, cartoon, advertisement).
In Section 1, marks will be awarded for the ability to understand meaning conveyed through word
choice, grammar, syntax, sentence structure, punctuation and paragraphing.
Section 2 has 35 questions from comprehension passages (This has been changed from 40)
In Section 2, marks will be awarded for the ability to:
(a) obtain information accurately;
(b) grasp insights from reading literature; and
(c) recognise and evaluate opinions expressed in various forms.
1 mark is allotted per question
Total = 60 marks
Paper 02:
The duration of the exam is 2 hrs, 45 mins (This has
been changed from 2 hrs, 30 mins)
It is worth 50% of the total assessment (This has been changed from 76%)
Section 1:
1 Question– Summary (Compulsory Question) – [25 marks]
(This has been changed from 30 marks)
Marks will be awarded under Profile Dimension 1, as follows:
In Section One, marks will be awarded for the ability to:
(a) use appropriate grammatical forms, and suitable punctuation and paragraphing to
convey meaning clearly and with facility;
(b) communicate factual information clearly, concisely, and
adequately in written instructions, reports and summaries in
appropriate language.
Section 2:
2 Questions– Exposition (Answer One Question)- [30 marks]
This question will require candidates to respond to given stimulus
material. The response may take the form of an email, letter, report,
notice, or article.
The question will change from year to year, but will focus on the skills of communicating factual
information concisely. In Section Two, marks will be awarded for the candidate’s ability to:
(a) communicate factual information clearly, concisely, and adequately in written instructions,
reports and summaries in appropriate language;
(b) obtain information accurately.
Section 3:
2 Questions– short story, (Answer One Question)- [25 marks]
(This has been changed from 35 marks)
Section 4:
1 Question – Argumentative Essay, (Compulsory Question)- [25
marks]
(This has been changed from 35 marks and two questions)
In Section Four, marks will be awarded for the ability to communicate personal opinion clearly and
cogently in language which effectively persuades or dissuades.
Total = 105 marks (This has been changed from 130 marks) Marks will be awarded under Profile
Dimension 2, as follows:
In Section One and Two, marks will be awarded for the ability to:
(a) use appropriate grammatical forms, and suitable punctuation and paragraphing to convey
meaning clearly and with facility;
(b) use appropriate language and communicate factual information clearly, concisely and adequately
in writing letters, reports and summaries. In Section Three, marks will be awarded for the ability to
give aesthetic satisfaction to others in personal, creative and imaginative language.