SYNOPSES – JANUARY 2018

Biology

In January 2018, there was a 69 per cent increase in candidate entry. Approximately 71 per cent of the candidates who wrote the examination achieved acceptable grades, Grades I–III, compared with 47 per cent in January 2017. Candidate performance improved on Paper 01, the Multiple Choice paper, Paper 02, the Structured Essay paper and Paper 032, the Alternate to the School Based Assessment.

The Examining Committee noted that the majority of candidates appeared  were unfamiliar with biological concepts such as Transport of nutrients, the role of the liver in homeostatic control, reflex action,  the role of the skin in temperature regulation, Meiosis and the inheritance of sex-linked diseases. 

Chemistry

There was an improvement in the overall performance of candidates this year with approximately 47 per cent of candidates achieving acceptable grades, Grades I–III, compared with 39 per cent in January 2017. There were noted improvements at both the Grade I and II bands compared with January 2017. 

There was an improved performance on Profile 1, Knowledge and Comprehension, and Profile 3, Experimental Skills. However, there was a decline in candidate performance on Profile 2, Use of Knowledge, compared with January 2017.

Candidate performance also improved on Paper 01, the Multiple Choice paper, Paper 02, the Structured Essay paper and Paper 032, the Alternate to the School-Based Assessment.

English A

Overall performance in January 2018 was consistent with that of January 2017. In 2018, approximately 55 per cent of the candidates achieved Grades I–III compared with 56 per cent in 2017. However, there were slightly more candidates achieving Grade III in 2018 compared with 2017.

Performance on Profile 1, Understanding, showed very consistent performance at Grades A and C. However, a decline in performance was noted at Grade B compared with the performance in January 2017. Overall, approximately 74 per cent of candidates achieved Grades A-C in 2018 compared with approximately 77 per cent in 2017.

Performance on Profile 2, Expression, was also fairly consistent with that of 2017 at Grades A-C. Overall, approximately 35 per cent of the candidates achieved Grades A-C in 2018 compared with approximately 37 per cent in January 2017.

English B

There was a significant decline in the number of candidates achieving Grades I–III in 2018. Approximately 27 per cent of the candidates achieved Grades I–III compared with approximately 57 per cent in 2017. This decline in performance was noted at Grades I, II and   III.  The overall performance was also reflected in candidates’ performance on all three profiles: Profile 1, Drama, Profile 2, Poetry, and Profile 3, Prose Fiction.

The decline on Profile 1 was evident particularly at Grades A and B, while performance at Grade C was consistent.  However, performance declined at the top three grades on Profile 2, Poetry and Profile 3, Prose Fiction.

It was noted that while performance on Paper 01 was relatively consistent, the performance on Paper 02 declined.

Human and Social Biology

This year, approximately 1900 candidates wrote the examination, compared with 1700 candidates in January 2017.

There was a marked improvement in the overall performance of candidates this year, with 76 per cent of candidates achieving acceptable grades, Grades I – III, compared with 50 per cent in January 2017.

Candidate performance improved on Profile 1, Knowledge and Comprehension, with a mean of 51 per cent obtained this year, compared with 50 per cent in 2017. There was a notable improvement in candidate performance on Profile 2, Use of Knowledge, with a mean of 35 per cent obtained this year compared with 24 per cent in 2017.

Information Technology

In January 2018, approximately 73 per cent of the candidates achieved acceptable grades, Grades I–III, compared with 63 per cent in January 2017.  The performance on Paper 01, the Multiple Choice paper, was consistent with that in January 2017. However, there was an improvement in the performance on Paper 02, the Essay Paper, and Paper 032, the Alternative to the School-Based Assessment. The overall improvement in performance was reflected in improved performance on Profile 1, Theory, Profile 2, Productivity Tools, and Profile 3, Problem Solving and programming.

Mathematics

The overall performance in Mathematics declined over that of January 2017. Thirty per cent of the candidates who wrote the January 2018 examination achieved Grades I to III compared with 36 per cent in January 2017.  Profile 1, Knowledge, showed an improved performance when compared with 2017, while performance on Profile 2, Comprehension and Profile 3, Reasoning, declined compared with January 2017. Performance on Paper 01, the Multiple-Choice paper, improved compared with 2017, while performance on Paper 02, the Extended Response paper, declined compared with 2017.

The questions on Relations, Functions and Graphs; Measurement; Geometry and Trigonometry; and Statistics proved to be the most challenging. 

Office Administration

Overall, the performance of candidates in January 2018 was consistent with January 2017 with approximately 63 per cent of candidates achieving Grades I–III in both years.  The percentage of candidates achieving acceptable grades on Profile 1, Knowledge and Comprehension, and Profile 2, Interpretation, was also consistent in both years.
 
In January 2018, there was an improved performance on Paper 032, the Alternate to the School-Based Assessment: thirty-one per cent of the candidates achieved acceptable grades compared with 12 per cent in 2017.

Physics

The overall performance of candidates in January 2018 was comparable to that in January 2017, with approximately 65 per cent of candidates achieving acceptable grades, Grades I–III. There was decline in the Grade I band, but an improvement in the Grade II band compared with January 2017. 

There was an improved candidate performance on Profile 1, Knowledge and Comprehension.  However, there was a decline on candidate performance on Profile 2, Use of Knowledge. The performance on Profile 3, Experimental Skills, was consistent with January 2017.

Candidate performance improved on Paper 01, the Multiple Choice paper, but declined on Paper 02, the Structured Essay paper and Paper 032, the Alternate to the School-Based Assessment.

Principles of Accounts

In January 2018, there was a decline in overall performance with 39 per cent of candidates achieving Grades I–III compared with 48 per cent in 2017.  This decline was most evident at Grades I and II.  This decline in performance was also reflected on the profiles where declines were seen in all three profiles: Profile 1, Knowledge, Profile 2, Application and Profile 3, Interpretation.

Principles of Business

This year, approximately 2,000 candidates wrote the examination, compared with 1,500 candidates in January 2017.
There was a significant decline in the overall performance of candidates this year, with 55 per cent of candidates achieving acceptable grades, Grades I–III, compared with 85 per cent in January 2017. This decline in the overall performance was evident at the Grade I and Grade II bands, while an improvement was noted at the Grade III band.

Candidate performance declined on Profile 1, Organisational Principles,  with a mean of 32 per cent obtained this year, compared with 45 per cent in 2017. There was also a decline in performance on Profile 2, Production, Marketing and Finance, with a mean of 40 per cent obtained this year compared with 43 per cent in 2017. A marked decline in performance was also evident on Profile 3, The Business Environment, with a mean of 19 per cent obtained this year compared with 31 per cent in 2017.

Social Studies

There was overall improvement in the performance for 2018 January when compared with January 2017.  Approximately 35 per cent of the candidates achieved Grades I – III in 2018 compared with 30 percent in 2017.  An improved performance was also evident on Profile 1, Knowledge and Comprehension, as approximately 63 per cent of the candidates achieved Profile Grades A–C compared with 54 per cent in 2017.  On Profile 2, Application, Evaluation and Problem Solving, the percentage was consistent with that of January 2017 with approximately 15 percent of the candidates achieving Grades A–C.

Spanish

In January 2018, 63 per cent of the candidates achieved Grades I-III compared with 62 per cent in January 2017.  The performance on Profile 1, Listening, improved with 85 per cent of the candidates achieving Grades A-C compared with 77 per cent in January 2017.  While performance on Profile 2, Reading and Profile 3, Speaking were comparable, there was a decline in performance on Profile 4, Writing. 

SYNOPSES FOR CSEC® 2018

ADDITIONAL MATHEMATICS

In 2018, 70 per cent of the candidates achieved acceptable Grades, I–III, compared with 69 per cent in 2017. Candidate performance on Section 4 of Paper 02 which tested Mechanics and Statistics improved over 2017. Improved performance was also noted on the Paper 032 compared with 2017.

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE – DOUBLE AWARD (DA)

Ninety-seven per cent of the candidates who wrote the DA Examination in 2018 achieved Grades I-III, compared with 97 per cent in 2017. There was a marked improvement in performance on Papers 03 and 04, the Essay paper and the School-Based Assessment, respectively compared with 2017. Candidate performance remained consistent on Paper 01, the Multiple Choice, but there was a decline in performance on Paper 02, the Essay Paper. Performance on Profile 02, Crop Production, showed marked improvement compared with 2017, while there was consistency in performance on Profile 03, Animal Production, and a decline in performance on Profile 01, Business of Farming. 

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE – SINGLE AWARD (SA)

Eighty-six per cent of the candidates who wrote the SA examination in 2018 achieved Grades I-III, compared with 91 per cent in 2017. Candidate performance on Papers 01 and 03, the Multiple Choice and the School-Based Assessment, respectively remained consistent with 2017, while there was a decline on Paper 02, the Essay. While performance on Profile 03, Animal Production remained consistent compared with 2017, there was a decline in performance on Profile 01, Business of Farming and Profile 02, Crop Production.

BIOLOGY

In 2018, 73 per cent of the candidates achieved acceptable Grades, I–III, compared with 72 per cent in 2017.  The performance of candidates on question two on the area of Cells was good. The performance on question one the data analysis question on Enzyme activity and the Skin, question three on the Eye and Genetics, question four on Respiration and question five  on the Circulatory system and immunization was satisfactory. The performance on question six on Reproduction and Mitosis was poor.

CARIBBEAN HISTORY

There was a decline in the 2018 performance compared with 2017, as 70 per cent of the candidates achieved Grades I–III compared with 74 per cent in 2017. This decline was evident across both profiles.  In 2018, 68 per cent of candidates achieved Grades A–C on Profile I, Knowledge and Comprehension, compared with 78 per cent in 2017.  On Profile 2, Use of Knowledge, 64 per cent of candidates achieved acceptable profile grades a decrease from 67 per cent in 2017.

CHEMISTRY

There was an improved overall performance of candidates compared with 2017, with 61 per cent of candidates achieving acceptable Grades, I–III, compared with 55 per cent in 2017.

An improvement in candidate performance was evident on Profile 1, Knowledge and Comprehension and Profile 2, Use of Knowledge; but performance on Profile 3, Experimental Skills, was consistent 2017.

ECONOMICS

For 2018, 71 per cent of the candidates achieved acceptable Grades, I-III. This was a decrease from 2017, where 80 per cent of the candidates achieved the acceptable grades. A marginal improvement was achieved in Papers 01 and 031, along with a steady improvement in Paper 032.

ELECTRONIC DOCUMENT PREPARATION AND MANAGEMENT

In 2018, there was an improved performance with 98 per cent of the candidates achieving Grades I–III, compared with 95 per cent in 2017.  There was an improved performance on Paper 01 and Paper 02 in 2018 compared with 2017, but there was a slight decline in candidate performance on the School-Based Assessment.

ENGLISH A

Overall performance in June 2018 increased by approximately 5 per cent compared with performance in 2017.   In 2018, 69 per cent of the candidates achieved Grades I–III compared with 64 per cent in 2017.   The increase in performance was noted at Grades II and III, while at Grade I, there was a 3 per cent decline in performance.
 
Performance on Profile 1, Understanding, declined at Grades A–C, compared with performance in 2017.  Overall, 76 per cent of candidates achieved Grades A–C in 2018 compared with 83 per cent in 2017.

Performance in Profile 2, Expression, showed a sharp increase at Grades A–C in 2018 compared with 2017. Approximately 63 per cent of the candidates earned Grades A–C in 2018 compared with 46 per cent in 2017. The improvement in performance on Profile 2 is attributed to the candidates’ performance in the School-Based Assessment which was assessed for the first time in the June 2018 examination. The School-Based Assessment assesses Profile 2.

ENGLISH B

There was an increase in the number of candidates achieving Grades I–III in 2018.  In 2018, 68 per cent of the candidates achieved Grades I–III compared with 52 per cent in 2017. This increase in performance was noted at each of the acceptable Grades: I, II and III.

The overall performance was also reflected in candidates’ performance on all three profiles: Profile 1, Drama, Profile 2, Poetry, and Profile 3, Prose Fiction.  On Profile 1, 82 per cent of the candidates achieved Grades A–C in 2018 compared with 60 per cent in 2017. On Profile 2, 66 per cent of the candidates achieved Grades A–C compared with 48 per cent in 2017 and in Profile 3, 77 per cent of the candidates achieved Grades A–C compared with 52 per cent in 2017.

The June 2018 examination was the first year the School-Based Assessment (SBA) was assessed for the English B examination. The SBA component of the examination assesses all three of the profiles.

FAMILY AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

This year, there was a decline in the overall performance of candidates compared with that of last year. Eighty-five per cent of candidates achieved acceptable Grades, I–III, compared with 88 per cent in 2017.

At the Grade I band, however, candidate performance improved by 6 percentage points over last year. This improvement was evident on both Profile 1, Knowledge and Profile 2, Use of Knowledge, while performance on Profile 3, Practical Skills, was consistent with that of 2017.

FOOD AND NUTRITION AND HEALTH

Eighty-nine per cent of the candidates achieved acceptable Grades, I–III, compared with 92 per cent in 2017. Performance on Paper 01 the Multiple–Choice Paper, was consistent with 2017. There was a decline in candidates’ performance on Paper 02, the Essay Paper while the performance on Paper 03, the School-Based Assessment, was consistent with 2017.

FRENCH

In 2018, 71 percent of the candidates achieved acceptable Grades, I-III, which is consistent with 2017.  While there was an improved performance on Profile 1, Listening, Profile 2, Reading, and Profile 3, Speaking, there was a decline in performance on Profile 4, Writing.

GEOGRAPHY

Overall, there was an increase in the percentage of candidates achieving Grades I–III in 2018. Seventy-two per cent of candidates achieved acceptable grades compared with 65 per cent in 2017. This increase was evident across all three profiles. Eighty-four of candidates achieved Grades A–C on Profile 1, Practical Skills, up from 77 per cent in 2017. On Profile 2, Knowledge and Comprehension, 73 per cent achieved these grades up from 60 per cent and for Profile 3, Use of Knowledge, 51 per cent up from 48 per cent.

HUMAN AND SOCIAL BIOLOGY

There was an improvement in the overall performance of candidates this year, with 64 per cent of candidates achieving acceptable grades, Grades I–III, compared with 53 per cent in 2017. Candidate performance declined on Profile 1, Knowledge and Comprehension while there was an improvement in performance on Profile 2, Use of Knowledge.

INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY

In 2018, this subject was examined for the second time since the new syllabus was introduced. In Option A, Electrical and Electronic Technology, 80 per cent of candidates achieved acceptable Grades, I—III compared with 74 per cent in 2017. In Option B, Mechanical Engineering Technology, 83 per cent of candidates achieved acceptable Grades, I—III, compared with 76 per cent in 2017, and in Option C, Building and Furniture Technology, 85 per cent of candidates achieved Grades I—III compared with 81 per cent in 2017. There was moderate performance on Paper 01 across the options.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

In 2018, 91 per cent of the candidates achieved acceptable Grades, I-III compared with 86 per cent in 2017.

INTEGRATED SCIENCE

There was a decline in the number of candidates achieving acceptable Grades, I-III, this year compared with 2017. In 2018, 39 per cent of the candidates achieved acceptable grades compared with 60 percent in 2017.  Candidates’ performance improved on Profile 1, Knowledge and Comprehension, and was consistent on Profile 3, Experimental Skills, compared with 2017. However, Candidates’ weakest performance was noted on Paper 02 and on Profile 2, Use of Knowledge.

MATHEMATICS

Forty-nine per cent of the candidates who wrote the Mathematics Examination in 2018 achieved Grades I-III, compared with 44 per cent in 2017. Performance on Paper 01, the Multiple Choice Paper, remained consistent with 2017, while there was a notable decline in performance on Paper 02, the Essay Paper. On Paper 03, the School-Based Assessment, which was assessed for the first time, a mean of 78 per cent was recorded compared with 9 per cent for Paper 032, the Alternate to the School-Based Assessment. There was an improved performance on all profiles: Profile 01, Knowledge, Profile 02, Comprehension and Profile 3, Reasoning. Candidate performance remained unsatisfactory in the areas of Problem Solving, Algebra, Relations, Functions and Graphs, Measurement, Geometry and Trigonometry and Vectors and Matrices. 

MUSIC

The overall performance in Music was consistent with of 2017, with 75 per cent of the candidates achieving Grades I–III in both years.  Candidates demonstrated weaknesses in the knowledge of the media used by the composers as well as the structure and specific features of the Set Works. Candidates demonstrated higher levels of analysis and acuity of hearing in relation to identifying the genre of music heard in the correct sequence. They also exhibited higher order skills in drawing distinctions between various musical tones, rhythms and instruments heard in selected pieces of music.

OFFICE ADMINISTRATION

The overall performance declined in 2018 compared with 2017.  Eighty-three per cent of the candidates achieved acceptable grades in 2018 compared with 86 per cent in 2017.  Candidates demonstrated weaknesses in the application of principles and practices of human resource management and reconciliation of the cashbook. They also had difficulties with the concepts and underlying principles of the duties and responsibilities of clerks in the accounting office and purchasing department. Candidates’ demonstrated higher levels of knowledge, comprehension and analysis in relation to office equipment and technology.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORT

The overall performance remains very impressive with 98 per cent of candidates achieving Grades I–III in 2018.  On Profile 1, Theory, the performance at Grade A declined with 8 per cent of the candidates achieving Grade A in 2018, compared with 11 per cent in 2017. Overall, performance on Profile 2, Practical, was excellent.  Candidates performed poorly on the following theoretical aspects of the syllabus: History and Development of Physical Education and Sport and Fitness and Performance.

PHYSICS

There was an increase in the overall performance of candidates on this year’s examination compared with 2017. The percentage of candidates earning Grades I–III was 69 per cent compared with 62 per cent in 2017.     

Candidates’ performance on Paper 01, Paper 02 and Paper 03 in 2018 examinations improved compared with 2017.   Candidates’ performance also improved on Profile 1, Knowledge and Comprehension, Profile 2, Use of Knowledge and Profile 3, Experimental Skills, compared with 2017.

PORTUGUESE

In 2018, 116 candidates wrote the CSEC Portuguese examination compared with 65 in 2017 which was the first sitting. Seventy-two percent of the candidates achieved the acceptable Grades, I-III, compared with 79 percent in 2017. While there is a decline on Profiles 1, 2 and 4, Listening, Reading and Writing, respectively, there is an improved performance on Profile 3, Speaking.

PRINCIPLES OF ACCOUNTS

The overall performance declined in 2018 compared with 2017.  Sixty-nine per cent of the candidates achieved acceptable grades in 2018 from 72 per cent in 2017.  Candidates demonstrated weaknesses in the application of principles and practices of the accounting treatment of ratios and partnership accounts. Candidates’ demonstrated higher levels of knowledge, comprehension and analysis in relation to cash book transactions, and the manipulation of control accounts and manufacturing accounts.

PRINCIPLES OF BUSINESS

There was a decline in the overall performance of candidates, with 86 per cent of candidates achieving acceptable Grades, I – III, compared with 89 per cent in 2017. Candidate performance declined on Profile 2, Production, Marketing and Finance. However, an improved performance was noted on Profile 1, Organisational Principles and Profile 3, The Business Environment.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Candidates’ performance in 2018 improved compared with that of 2017. Eighty-six per cent of the candidates achieved Grades I–III in 2018 compared with 82 per cent in 2017.  Christianity, Option A, continues to be the most popular option. Of the 3649 candidates who registered for the examination, 3520 registered for the Christianity, 158 registered for Hinduism (Option B), 69 registered for Islam (Option C) and 59 registered for Judaism (Option D).

Overall performance on Profile 1, Knowledge, and Profile 3, Application, improved while performance on Profile 2, Interpretation and Analysis, was consistent with 2017.

SOCIAL STUDIES

Overall, there was improvement in the performance in 2018 as 67 per cent of candidates achieved Grades I–III an increase from 55 per cent 2017. The improved performance was evident across both profiles.  On Profile 1, Knowledge and Comprehension, 68 per cent of candidates achieved Grades A–C up from 66 per cent and for Profile 2, Application, Evaluation and Problem Solving, 46 per cent up from 33 per cent in 2017.

SPANISH

In 2018, 70 percent of the candidates achieved Grades I-III compared to 67 percent in 2017.  There were improved performances on Profile 1, Listening, Profile 3, Speaking, and Profile 4, Writing, while there was a decline on Profile 2, Reading.

TECHNICAL DRAWING

The overall performance improved over that of 2017.  Eighty-four per cent of the candidates achieved acceptable grades compared with 77 per cent in 2017.  Candidates demonstrated weaknesses in the knowledge and application of principles and practices of engineering drawings and conventional representation of standard engineering components. Candidates demonstrated higher levels of knowledge, analysis and depictions in relation to building drawings, labelling of working drawings, roof framing techniques, dimensioning and labelling of roofing elements.

TEXTILES, CLOTHING AND FASHION

In 2018, 78 per cent of the candidates achieved acceptable grades compared with 75 per cent in 2017.  However, the performance on Papers 01 and 02 was consistent over the two years.

In some areas of the syllabus, candidates appeared to be deficient in knowledge and aptitude. They also seemed unfamiliar with textile terminology. Areas where scientific knowledge needed to be applied also experienced some difficulties. With the lack of equipment and no set reference material, especially for the new content areas such as Health and Safety and Fashion Design, students’ performance may have been negatively impacted.

THEATRE ARTS

In 2018, 94 per cent of the candidates achieved Grades I-III, a decline from the 2017 performance of 97 per cent. The mean score and percentage for Paper 01 were lower than the previous year. However, performance on Paper 02 in the areas of drama, dance and stagecraft as well as Paper 03 remained generally consistent with the previous year.

VISUAL ARTS

Sixty-six per cent of the candidates achieved acceptable Grades, I–III in 2018 compared with 69 per cent in 2017.  There was an improvement in the performance on Option 6, Sculpture and Ceramics. Consistent performance was noted in three options: Option 1, Drawing, Option 2, Painting and Mixed Media, and Option 4, Print Making. However, there was a decline in the performance on Option 3, Graphic and Communication Design, Option 5, Textile, Design and Manipulation, Option 7, Leather Craft, and Option 8, Fibre and Decorative Arts.