CSEC ENGLISH A
Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate
ENGLISH A
Introduction
Timeline
Paper 01
Paper 02
Paper 031/ SBA
Sample SBA
P01 Structure
P02 Structure
Introduction
CSEC English A is one of the core compulsory subjects for the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC). It focuses entirely on your ability to use English effectively for communication, analysis, and practical purposes.
+ info
Timeline
December 2025
May 2026
June 2026
Paper 031
Paper 02
Paper 01
School-Based Assessment
Extended Responses
Multiple Choice Questions
JAMAICA: ENGLISH A PASS RATES
82.8%
The 2019 pass rate was 82.8%.
76%
The 2024 pass rate was 76%.
85%
The 2025 pass rate was 85%.
English Language has a regional average pass rate of 80 per cent.
P02 Structure
The English A examination comprises three papers: Paper 01, Paper 02, and Paper 031. Paper 031 is the School-Based Assessment (SBA) and is assessed internally by the teacher and moderated by CXC.
P01 Structure
The English A examination comprises three papers: Paper 01, Paper 02, and Paper 031. Paper 031 is the School-Based Assessment (SBA) and is assessed internally by the teacher and moderated by CXC.
SBA Help
Plan of Investigation
Reflection 1
Reflection 2
Sample SBA
Paper 01
Section 1 has 25 discreet items (This has been changed from 20). 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.
- 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.
+ info
Paper 02
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)
- 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) Section 2: 2 Questions– Exposition (Answer One Question)- [30 marks]
+ info
Paper 031/ SBA
The SBA is expected to be done by each student working as an individual, and as a member of a small group approved by the teacher where:
1. individual refers to each student, who has responsibility for his/her own portfolio;
2. group refers to 4 – 5 students sharing a general topic, who work together to discuss and solve problems, explain ideas, learn from peers, improve oral skills, and practise social skills and leadership roles.
Paper 031, School-Based Assessment – (SBA – 21% of Total Assessment)
One SBA will be required to complete both aspects of the English Syllabus: English A and English B.
A student who does English A only OR English B only OR English A and B will be required to submit ONLY one SBA. The SBA will be credited for both English A and B.
+ info
The comprehension passages
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).
Mark Allocation
The marks assigned to a student will consist of:
1. his/her individual mark (Plan of Investigation, Oral Presentation, Reflection, Participation Measure);
2. the mark assigned to the group ( Quality of Group Behaviour, Written Report).
Marks Allocation
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.In Section Four, marks will be awarded for the ability to communicate personal opinion clearly and cogently in language which effectively persuades or dissuades.
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Transcript
CSEC ENGLISH A
Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate
ENGLISH A
Introduction
Timeline
Paper 01
Paper 02
Paper 031/ SBA
Sample SBA
P01 Structure
P02 Structure
Introduction
CSEC English A is one of the core compulsory subjects for the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC). It focuses entirely on your ability to use English effectively for communication, analysis, and practical purposes.
+ info
Timeline
December 2025
May 2026
June 2026
Paper 031
Paper 02
Paper 01
School-Based Assessment
Extended Responses
Multiple Choice Questions
JAMAICA: ENGLISH A PASS RATES
82.8%
The 2019 pass rate was 82.8%.
76%
The 2024 pass rate was 76%.
85%
The 2025 pass rate was 85%.
English Language has a regional average pass rate of 80 per cent.
P02 Structure
The English A examination comprises three papers: Paper 01, Paper 02, and Paper 031. Paper 031 is the School-Based Assessment (SBA) and is assessed internally by the teacher and moderated by CXC.
P01 Structure
The English A examination comprises three papers: Paper 01, Paper 02, and Paper 031. Paper 031 is the School-Based Assessment (SBA) and is assessed internally by the teacher and moderated by CXC.
SBA Help
Plan of Investigation
Reflection 1
Reflection 2
Sample SBA
Paper 01
Section 1 has 25 discreet items (This has been changed from 20). 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.
+ info
Paper 02
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)
Section 1: 1 Question– Summary (Compulsory Question) – [25 marks] (This has been changed from 30 marks) Section 2: 2 Questions– Exposition (Answer One Question)- [30 marks]
+ info
Paper 031/ SBA
The SBA is expected to be done by each student working as an individual, and as a member of a small group approved by the teacher where: 1. individual refers to each student, who has responsibility for his/her own portfolio; 2. group refers to 4 – 5 students sharing a general topic, who work together to discuss and solve problems, explain ideas, learn from peers, improve oral skills, and practise social skills and leadership roles.
Paper 031, School-Based Assessment – (SBA – 21% of Total Assessment) One SBA will be required to complete both aspects of the English Syllabus: English A and English B. A student who does English A only OR English B only OR English A and B will be required to submit ONLY one SBA. The SBA will be credited for both English A and B.
+ info
The comprehension passages
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).
Mark Allocation
The marks assigned to a student will consist of: 1. his/her individual mark (Plan of Investigation, Oral Presentation, Reflection, Participation Measure); 2. the mark assigned to the group ( Quality of Group Behaviour, Written Report).
Marks Allocation
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.In Section Four, marks will be awarded for the ability to communicate personal opinion clearly and cogently in language which effectively persuades or dissuades.