CXC CSEC English A exam
FORMAT OF THE EXAMINATIONS: ENGLISH A (Language)
The English A examination comprises of three papers, Paper 01, Paper 02, and the School-Based
Assessment (SBA). Paper 032 is an Alternative to the SBA and is intended for candidates registered as
private candidates.
Paper 01 (1 hour 30 minutes – 29 per cent of Total Assessment)
This paper consists of 60 compulsory multiple-choice items. This paper contributes 29 per cent
towards the final assessment.
one poem; one literary extract (ex. novel, short story, biography, letter);
one expository extract (ex. encyclopaedia extract, report, newspaper article, texts of speeches,
transcript of conversations)
one argumentative extract (ex. an advertisement, a speech or a letter to the editor);
one visual extract (ex. table, chart, diagram, map, cartoon,).
Paper 02 (2 hours and 45 minutes – 50 per cent of Total Assessment)
This paper contains four (4) sections.
Section One: Summary Writing
Section one (1) is made up of one compulsory question. In this section, you MUST write a
summary of a given passage. In this section you must write in "continuous prose", that is, you
must write using paragraphs. You MUST NOT write using note form. Also, after the stated
number of words requested for the summary, anything you write will NOT be assessed.
Section Two: Expository Writing
This section consists of one compulsory question. You will be given a text 'stimulus' to
prompt your writing activity. You are required to respond to the stimulus by writing either an
email, a letter, a report, a notice, a news article or some other form of informational text.
Please note: Your answer must be in the form of 'continuous prose". That means your answer
cannot be in the form of jotted down notes.
Section Three: Short Story Writing
The questions are prompts for two short story questions. You must choose one question to
answer. Your answer in this section should be approximately 400-450 words in length and
you must write in standard English, although you may use dialect in conversations.
Section Four: Argumentative Essay
Section four (4) is made up of one compulsory question. You MUST write an
argumentative essay in this section. Your answer may take the form of a letter to the editor of
a newspaper, a formal letter to an official, a letter to a friend, a speech, or an essay. Your
answer in this section should be approximately 250-300 words in length and
you MUST write in standard English.
SCHOOL-BASED ASSESSMENT (SBA)
School-Based Assessment – (SBA – 21 per cent of Total Assessment)
A single 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.