Filling the Skills Gap in CSEC Mathematics
Filling the Skills Gap in CSEC Mathematics
CXC results are out!
CSEC Mathematics has an average pass rate of only 41%! Fill in your CSEC Math gaps before it's too late.
Math grades have always been lower than other core subjects, but the ongoing pandemic has resulted in a significant learning loss not only in the Caribbean but the world. The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) administered their Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) exams earlier this year and many students were disadvantaged due to their inability to be engaged online effectively or at all. CXC recently released their results highlighting a significant reduction in passes, especially in CSEC Mathematics.
This is not surprising as student learning gaps are growing exponentially due to the restraints caused by the current world crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic.
Continue reading to find out how you can fill in your CSEC Mathematics learning gaps in time for the next set of CXC exams.
Understanding the CXC Math Crisis
The CXC results' recent release showed that only 41% of students passed CSEC Mathematics in the 2021 exam cycle. This number represents a significant reduction in passes compared to the previous years. In 2020, 52% of students passed the CSEC Math exams, 46% in 2019 and 49% in 2018. Many will attribute the low passes to the current circumstances where students were unable to be engaged effectively or physically due to the ongoing pandemic. This forced countries across the Caribbean and the world to pivot by introducing remote learning, which wasn't as seamless as intended. This was caused by various factors, resulting in students not being engaged for months. Many teachers also found it difficult to adjust to this new method of teaching and learning.
Here are some stats in other CSEC subjects across the region:
English B – 61%
Integrated Science – 66%
Biology – 89%
Chemistry – 63%
Physics – 66%
Electronic Document Preparation and Management (EDPM) – 87%
Human and Social Biology – 68%
Principles of Business – 79%
Information Technology – 89%
Social Studies – 54%
Office Administration – 79%
The current projection in terms of the widening of the learning gaps isn't good. As students become more uninterested in school, the educational process will have to be significantly adjusted to this new technology-based era. Mathematics continues to emerge as a crucial subject to have, especially when considering matriculation or a career. Therefore, creative and innovative methods such as Skills Gap Testing will have to be utilized to fill the learning gaps.
What Are Learning Gaps?
Learning gaps are skills that should have been understood at a certain level that wasn't. For example, if a student didn't learn and understand addition in Grade 1 and is now in Grade 3 and is still having problems with that area of Mathematics, then it is a result of a learning gap.
If there is a learning gap, it is difficult for the student to perform well in school, including in examinations such as PEP and CXC. This is a significant problem, especially now, as it only prevents students from reaching their goals, especially concerning their careers. Therefore, each topic should be understood and mastered to close the gap successfully.
What Are the Signs of a Learning Gaps?
Numerous circumstances show that some people have learning gaps such as:
Not understanding topics
It can be challenging for some people to grasp a topic when it's taught. As a result, they may be left behind because no matter how hard they try, they still do not understand. This will develop into a learning gap as that topic is necessary for mastering the subject area.
2. Not concentrating properly
Some people are unable to focus on the task at hand entirely. This may be due to an array of complications and will result in them having a learning gap. When attempting to focus, they are usually met with distractions which causes them not to be engaged as they should be. This is identified in a subject area when the student is unable to grasp the concept regardless of being taught many times.
3. Bad grades
Putting in the work and still getting bad grades may be a result of having a learning gap. Sometimes students focus on the wrong things by either misunderstanding the lesson or not asking for help when they need to. Understanding the root cause of the low grades will help in identifying solutions to fix it.
Understanding what gaps are and their possible signs are the first steps in filling the learning gaps.
The best way now to identify learning gaps is through Skills Gap Testing.
What is Skills Gap Testing?
Skills Gap Testing is proving to be beneficial in identifying the specific weak areas of students in various subject areas such as Mathematics. The test, known as the "Skills Gap Test (SGT)", is carefully curated to fully understand where a student is and where they need to be. Therefore, it highlights where a student is in their educational journey. Skills Gap Testing is necessary to form a better and more personalized learning environment to guarantee success.
Why Take a Mathematics Skills Gap Test?
Mathematics Skills Gap Tests are engineered to understand completely and identify any learning gaps present. This will allow for better exam preparation for CXC as it will show the weak areas and create a personalized online learning experience to bridge or fill them.
This is indeed important, especially when students are not as engaged as they should be and are developing disinterest in subjects like Mathematics.
With the current percentage of passes in the recent CXC exams, students are at risk of failing if they don't prepare. A primary concern was that students thought they understood specific topics when they didn't fully. The examination day is often the first time some students are exposed to questions that rely on knowledge that they should have. This doesn't guarantee exam success.
Where to Take a Mathematics Skills Gap Test?
OneX by One on One offers FREE Skills Gap Testing for various subjects, including Mathematics. Results from the tests are used to carefully and innovatively create a personalized learning experience for students that will aid in achieving examination success.
Taking the test is simple and easy. Cheating or studying isn't required. Students cannot fail or pass the test because it's solely focused on understanding where they are in the subject and creating a learning experience to fill those learning gaps successfully.
After taking our Skills Gap Test, each student will be welcomed to the OneX family and be allowed to be part of a high-quality, personalized learning experience that will prepare them for CXC exams. OneX offers Self-Paced Video Courses, Live Classes, one-on-one tutoring, and Academic Coaching on our online learning platform.
Increase Your Chances For CXC Math Exam Success
Don't get left behind because you may have a learning gap. Start filling your gap now by taking the OneX Skills Gap Test today at onex.co/skillgaptest
With One on One, learning is personal.