No matter what field you plan to pursue, CXC CSEC Math is almost always a requirement in the Caribbean. Whether that’s fair or not is a different discussion. The fact remains: you NEED to pass CXC Math.
The good news?
Passing isn’t as hard as people make it seem.
You don’t need to be a math genius to succeed.
In fact, CXC has made it even easier by introducing the School-Based Assessment (SBA) or Paper 3 component.
But passing CXC Math isn’t just about knowing the content.
You don’t need to master every topic inside out. Instead, success comes from understanding how to approach certain types of questions and how the exam is marked.
In this blog, I’ll give you everything you need to know to pass CXC Math with confidence.
What Makes Up CXC Math?
Let’s start with the fundamental components of the exam.
There are three parts:
Component | Percentage of Final Grade |
Paper 1 (Multiple Choice) | 30% |
Paper 2 (Structured Paper) | 50% |
Paper 3 (SBA or Alternative Paper) | 20% |
Many students mistakenly believe they need 100% to get a Grade 1 or 2. That’s not the case! You just need to perform well across all components.
I always advise my students to put their best effort into the SBA—it’s an easy 20% if you take it seriously.
Paper 1 is another great opportunity to boost your score because CXC often repeats questions. Some years, over 90% of the paper has been recycled from past exams. Even when the questions change slightly, if you’ve practiced enough, you’ll recognize familiar patterns.
Exam Format Breakdown
Paper 1 (Multiple Choice)
Paper 1 consists of 60 multiple-choice questions, distributed across different syllabus topics:
Section | No. of Questions |
Number Theory and Computation | 6 |
Consumer Arithmetic | 8 |
Sets | 6 |
Measurement | 8 |
Statistics | 6 |
Algebra | 6 |
Relations, Functions & Graphs | 8 |
Geometry & Trigonometry | 8 |
Vectors & Matrices | 4 |
Total | 60 |
Paper 2 (Structured Questions)
Paper 2 has 10 compulsory questions, each with multiple parts. However, not all topics appear on this paper—for instance, Sets is excluded.
Here’s how the marks are distributed across topics:
Section | No. of Marks |
Number Theory, Consumer Arithmetic & Computation | 9 |
Measurement | 9 |
Statistics | 9 |
Algebra | 10 |
Relations, Functions & Graphs | 20 |
Investigation | 10 |
Geometry & Trigonometry | 21 |
Vectors & Matrices | 12 |
Total | 100 |
Looking at the mark allocation, you’ll notice that some topics carry more weight than others. Prioritize studying high-mark topics like Relations, Functions & Graphs and Geometry & Trigonometry.
School-Based Assessment (SBA) or Paper 3
If you’re a secondary school student sitting the exam for the first time, you’ll do Paper 031 (SBA). Your teacher guides you through this project, and you can submit multiple drafts, giving you a strong chance of earning high marks.
If you’re a private candidate, you’ll write Paper 032, which is an alternative to the SBA. You can read my full guide on this here:🔗 What is CXC CSEC Paper 3?
How to Prepare for the Exam
Understanding the exam structure is one thing. Now, let’s talk about how to prepare effectively.
🔗 Also, check out my exam prep checklist here: 5 Things You Should Have to Prepare for CXC Exams
1. Get the Syllabus
You can download the syllabus for free here: CXC Math Syllabus + Specimen Paper
This official document tells you everything you need to know about the exam.
If you don’t have it yet, get it now!
2. Collect Past Papers
Aim for at least 10 years of past papers. For example, if you’re writing in May 2025, get papers from January 2015 to January 2025.
Why? Because CXC repeats question styles.
The more past papers you do, the more patterns you’ll recognize.
3. Practice Past Paper Questions
I cannot stress this enough—practicing past paper questions is the #1 way to prepare.
If you get stuck, there are excellent resources to help you:
📚 CSEC Math Past Paper Solutions:
🎥 My YouTube Channel for Math Tutorials:▶️ Math with Teenisha Heath-Adams
📖 One of my all-time favorite math resources:🎓 Khan Academy
(Fun fact: I actually used Khan Academy as a student!)
4. Pace Yourself
Don’t cram. Start studying early and aim for at least 2 extra study hours per week. Consistent practice leads to success.
Summary
Key Takeaways for Passing CXC Math:
Understand the Exam Format – Know how each paper is structured and where to focus.
Leverage the SBA – Maximize this easy 20% boost.
Use Past Papers – CXC repeats question types, so practice as much as possible.
Study Strategically – Focus more on high-mark topics.
Start Early & Be Consistent – Don’t leave preparation for the last minute.
By following these steps, you CAN pass CXC Math with confidence!
Got questions? Let me know in the comments or check out my other blogs for more tips.
About the author:
Teenisha Garcia Heath-Adams is an educator, writer, and entrepreneur. She holds a Bachelor of Education with a specialization in Mathematics (summa cum laude) from the University of Trinidad and Tobago. With over a decade of experience, Teenisha has been preparing students for various national, regional and international exams, including SEA, CXC CSEC & CAPE, SATs, and UKCAT.
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