According to the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), more than 35,000 candidates failed to attend their tests this year. The regional examination body shared the data during the showing of the May-June 2026 results in Anguilla, raising concern from officials.
The total count includes 3,534 missing candidates at the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) level. Absence was almost 10 times higher at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) level, where 32,403 registered candidates did not show up.
CXC Director of Operations Nicole Manning mentioned the issue during the official release. “This is a big concern of the Caribbean Examinations Council and continues to be a concern for us,” Manning said, adding that missing an exam prevents a student from receiving a final grade.
Surveys by the council show that candidates often choose not to attend because they feel unprepared. Manning advised against skipping tests, urging candidates to attend and attempt them regardless.
The absences come alongside broader regional examination challenges, including a sharp rise in candidate misconduct. The council also recorded 128 instances of irregularities this cycle, up from 80 in the previous year.
