Every year, thousands of Caribbean students read "III" on a certificate and wonder whether it is a pass. It is. And thousands more read "IV" and hope it is. It is not, at the General and Technical Proficiencies. Getting the scale straight is the first step to aiming correctly.
CSEC: the six-point scale
CXC introduced the six-point grading scheme for CSEC in the May/June 1998 examinations. Results are reported with an overall grade (I–VI) and profile grades (A–F).
| Grade | Meaning | Status |
|---|---|---|
| I | Comprehensive grasp of key concepts and skills | Pass |
| II | Good grasp of key concepts and skills | Pass |
| III | Fairly good grasp of key concepts and skills | Pass |
| IV | Moderate grasp of key concepts and skills | Not a pass |
| V | Limited grasp of key concepts and skills | Not a pass |
| VI | Very limited grasp of key concepts and skills | Not a pass |
CAPE: the seven-point scale
CAPE uses seven overall grades — I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII — plus profile grades A–G. Because CAPE is unit-based (one-Unit or two-Unit courses, each Unit made of three Modules), you are graded per Unit rather than per "subject" in the CSEC sense.
- A CAPE certificate is awarded for each completed Unit.
- The CAPE diploma requires at least six Units, including Caribbean Studies.
- The CAPE Associate Degree requires a prescribed cluster of ten Units, including Caribbean Studies and Communication Studies.
Profile grades
Both qualifications break your result into profiles — skill areas within the subject. A strong overall grade with a weak profile tells you exactly where the marks leaked.
| CSEC profile | Meaning |
|---|---|
| A | Outstanding |
| B | Good |
| C | Fairly good |
| D | Moderate |
| E | Weak |
| F | Poor |
Passing: university and employment
CXC has formally advised universities and Ministries of Education across the region:
- Grades I–III at the General and Technical Proficiencies satisfy matriculation for four-year university programmes and entry to community colleges, teachers' colleges, and other post-secondary institutions.
- Grades I–IV are considered satisfactory for entry-level employment.
- For CAPE, the University of the West Indies and the University of Guyana accept six CAPE Units for normal matriculation, and UK NARIC treats CAPE like UK A-Levels for general entry to British higher education.
Recognition differs by institution and territory, so always confirm the exact requirement for the course you are aiming at — but these are the standards CXC itself recommends.
Where your grade comes from
A CXC grade is not one score. It is a blend of written papers and, for most subjects, a School-Based Assessment completed in class. Because SBA marks are earned over the school year under your own control, they are the most reliable marks on your certificate — and the most wasted when students treat them as an afterthought.
Check your subject's syllabus for the exact weighting, then plan backwards: if your SBA is 20% of the grade, a disciplined term of SBA work buys you room on the written papers.
CSEC: I, II, III pass · IV, V, VI do not. CAPE: unit-based, I–VII. Profile grades A–F (CSEC) and A–G (CAPE) show your skill breakdown. Grades I–III unlock regional universities; six CAPE Units unlock UWI.
Frequently asked questions
What is a passing grade in CSEC?
Grades I, II and III at General and Technical Proficiency are passing grades and satisfy matriculation for four-year university programmes and entry to community colleges and teachers' colleges. Grades I–IV are considered satisfactory for entry-level employment.
What is a passing grade in CAPE?
CAPE reports seven overall grades, I–VII. Six CAPE Units are accepted by UWI and the University of Guyana for normal matriculation, and UK NARIC treats CAPE similarly to UK A-Levels for British university entry.
What do CXC profile grades mean?
Profile grades break your result into skill areas: A (Outstanding) through F (Poor) for CSEC, and A–G for CAPE. They show where your strengths and leaks are within a subject.