CAPE, explained properly
CAPE is the post-secondary CXC qualification taken in sixth form or at community-college level. Subjects are organised into Unit 1 and Unit 2, each made up of three modules with written papers and an internal assessment.
How the assessment is built
Knowing what each paper rewards changes how you revise for it.
01
Units and modules
Each unit contains three modules, and most students take Unit 1 and Unit 2 in successive years.
02
Written papers
Typically a multiple-choice paper plus one or more structured or essay papers per unit.
03
Internal assessment
A project, portfolio or practical component per unit, marked internally and moderated by CXC.
CAPE subject guides
Each guide covers the syllabus areas, the mistakes that cost marks, and a revision approach that works for that subject.
Accounting
Financial and cost accounting at unit level, building on Principles of Accounts.
Open guideEconomics
Microeconomics in Unit 1 and macroeconomics and development in Unit 2.
Open guideManagement of Business
Business organisation and management theory, then functional decision making.
Open guidePure Mathematics
Algebra, calculus and analysis for science, engineering and economics pathways.
Open guideApplied Mathematics
Statistics, probability and mechanics applied to real problems.
Open guideBiology
Cellular and organismal biology, then ecology, genetics and applications.
Open guideChemistry
Physical, inorganic and organic chemistry with analytical methods.
Open guidePhysics
Mechanics, waves, thermal physics, then electricity, modern and applied physics.
Open guideSociology
Sociological theory and methods, applied to Caribbean society.
Open guideLaw
Legal systems, public law and private law in a Caribbean context.
Open guideInformation Technology
Information systems, problem solving and application development.
Open guideCommunication Studies
Language, communication and expression — compulsory on most CAPE programmes.
Open guideCaribbean Studies
The Caribbean's geography, society, history and development — also compulsory.
Open guideWhere CAPE is sat
CAPE is a regional qualification administered by the Caribbean Examinations Council, so the same syllabus applies across the participating territories.
- CAPE in Jamaica
- CAPE in Trinidad & Tobago
- CAPE in Barbados
- CAPE in Guyana
- CAPE in Belize
- CAPE in Saint Lucia
- CAPE in Grenada
- CAPE in Antigua & Barbuda
- CAPE in St Vincent & the Grenadines
- CAPE in St Kitts & Nevis
- CAPE in Dominica
The Bahamas runs its own national examinations rather than CXC — see what applies to Bahamian students.
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