For us in the Caribbean, the CXC exams are incredibly important. Our results in these exams determine our access to jobs or further education. If we’re fortunate, we get it right on our very first try, typically around 16-17 years old while still in secondary school. But for many people, even those who go on to attain great success in life, getting it right doesn't happen on their first, second, or even third try. And that’s okay! Once you have your CXC subjects, whether you're applying for a job or a degree, nobody is going to ask how many times you took the exam.
So you failed CXC? I know it’s a difficult thing to process, but I promise you, it is not the end of the world. What are you going to do about it? Not sure? That’s why I’m here 💕.
I’m here to help you figure out your next steps so you can get your CXC subjects and move on to the next chapter of your life, God willing.
Step 1: Accept what happened.
I know this might seem obvious, but it’s a crucial step in moving forward. If you’ve just learned about your unfavorable results, you may feel overwhelmed with disappointment and even embarrassment. That’s normal. No matter how many times you deal with failure, these are natural feelings to have. They’re part of the human experience. But you cannot allow these feelings to cripple you. I can’t tell you how quickly they will pass or whether they will pass at all. But what I can say is this: the reality of your results will not change (unless, of course, CXC made a mistake and you intend to query your grades).
Accept that this wasn’t your time to shine—yet.
Step 2: Take action!
If your goal is to enter the working world or pursue further education in the Caribbean, you need to get your CXC subjects. So, regardless of how you’re feeling, it’s time to move on. Let’s look on the bright side for a moment: CXC exams take place every year in January and May/June, and there’s no limit to the number of times you can sit them! Additionally, if you’re a Trinidadian citizen, you have one free chance to write the CXC exams as a private candidate. And even if you’ve already taken the exam as a private candidate, it’s not very expensive to retake your exams.
Since we’re in August 2024, registration for the CXC exams in January and June 2025 will be happening soon. If you’re able, you can register to retake the subjects you failed or the ones in which you want to improve your grades. If you’re in Trinidad and Tobago, keep an eye out for the notice of the registration period from the Ministry of Education.
Follow the Ministry of Education on Facebook or check out their website to stay updated. The registration is an easy online process—just follow the steps.
Here’s a tip: If you plan to retake multiple exams, it might be a good idea to space them out a bit. Take the ones you think are easier in January, and then sit the more difficult ones in May/June so you have more time to prepare.
I’m not going to get into all the details about writing your exams here because I’ve already written several blogs and even an Ebook on how to go about getting your CXC subjects from preparation to registering as a private candidate. Check them out below:
Click here to Download Free Ebook on How to Get Your CXC Subjects
If you failed your CXC exams or you didn’t get the results you wanted, you can still redeem yourself and achieve your academic goals. The purpose of this blog is to let you know that the world is not over. This is merely a stumbling block on your path to success.
Chin up. You got this.
P.S. If you still want more clarification, please feel free to reach out to me. I’ll be glad to help you in whatever way that I can.
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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