CXC is changing SBAs. Here’s what to check.

What the July announcement says

On 16 July 2026, CXC announced changes to its SBA framework. For non-practical subjects, traditional SBAs will move to Paper 032 under examination conditions. Practical subjects retain SBAs with stronger moderation. The announcement describes advance topics, extra assessment time and reference notes for the revised alternative assessment.

Source: Holding to the Standard: SBA reforms

Two qualifications, different timelines

For the non-practical subjects covered by the reform, CXC gives these transition dates:

• CAPE: transition to Paper 032 from May–June 2027.
• CSEC in 2027: the school chooses between the SBA and Paper 032.
• CSEC: full transition to Paper 032 from May–June 2028.

Source: Holding to the Standard: SBA reforms

Bring three questions to your teacher

A regional announcement is the starting point for a conversation about your own course. Write down the answer for each subject; do not assume every subject follows the same route.

• Which assessment route applies to my subject and examination sitting?
• What work should I continue now, and which school deadlines still apply?
• Where will we receive the confirmed preparation instructions and permitted-materials guidance?

Keep the skills you have been building

Research, explaining your reasoning and organising evidence remain useful study tasks. Keep your notes and drafts in a clearly labelled folder. Practise turning a page of notes into a short answer you can explain aloud, then check where the explanation becomes vague.

If you are a parent, help your student collect the school’s updates in one place. If you are a teacher, a short class checklist can make it easier for families to distinguish confirmed instructions from messages circulating in group chats.

This is our explanation of the dated announcement, not a subject-specific instruction sheet. Follow subsequent CXC and school guidance for the exact format, timing and materials that apply to your assessment.