1,766 students registered for finals of CPEA on May 13 & 14 

By S.Browne. Updated 10:24 a.m., Tuesday, May 12, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

A total of 1,766 studentshave registered for the finals of the Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (CPEA), which will be held across 18 centres in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on May 13 and 14, 2026.

This year sees an increase from last year’s one thousand six hundred and ninety-one (1,691) candidates and comprises eight hundred and ninety-two (892) females and eight hundred and seventy-four (874) males.

The Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (CPEA), administered by the Caribbean Examinations Council, is the key assessment for students completing the primary level of their education and evaluates the essential literacies required for progression to secondary school.

Over the two days, students will complete multiple-choice papers in Mathematics, Social Studies, Language Arts, and Science. This final component of the CPEA constitutes 60 per cent of each student’s overall score.

Each subject paper contains 50 multiple-choice questions, with students being given one hour and 15 minutes to complete each paper.

The results of the CPEA are expected to be published in June 2026, after which the Ministry of Education will conduct the secondary school placement exercise.

The Minister and management of the Ministry of Education said they extend best wishes to all students sitting the examination and expressed gratitude to head teachers, teachers, parents and other stakeholders for their continued dedication and support throughout the students’ academic journey.

Background on the Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (CPEA)

The CPEA external examination, now used to assess students leaving primary school, replaced the Common Entrance Examination in 2014.

The CPEA, also administered by the Caribbean Examinations Council, includes a coursework component that assesses students throughout their primary school years and during Grade Six to measure their competencies.

As a result, the final examinations to be written on May 13 and 14 will form only part of the assessment used to determine students’ transition from primary to secondary school.