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Your Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate and WES: Better Together

Shamara Powell | October 16, 2024

Are you considering a move from the Caribbean to the United States or Canada? If so, it’s important for you to know that you can continue your education or career without repeating studies that you’ve already completed in your home country. 

Considerations when relocating with your Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate  

Some employers in the U.S. and Canada won’t immediately recognize or understand your Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exam results. You might encounter difficulties explaining your high school equivalency to a higher education institution in the U.S. or Canada, especially if there are differences in curriculum or grading systems.  

This lack of recognition could result in a number of challenges, such as losing or delaying employment or admission to a college or university. It can also cost time and money if you’re asked to repeat secondary education courses or to sit for the GED exam. 

For these reasons, it is helpful to understand the role of the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) in transferring your exam results abroad so you can continue your education or career in a new place without having to start over. 

What is CXC? 

CXC provides regionally and internationally recognized secondary school leaving examinations relevant to the needs of the English-speaking Commonwealth Caribbean. Its headquarters is in Barbados, and it also has an office in Jamaica.  

CXC facilitates and administers secondary (CSEC) and post-secondary The Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) school leaving examinations. The council also provides regional support by producing training materials for teachers and serving as advisors to governments on educational issues.

Why are CXC exams important? 

CXC exams help Caribbean students matriculate into colleges and universities both locally and internationally. The exam results are also widely accepted for pursuing employment opportunities in the Caribbean. 

How a WES credential evaluation can help 

 WES helps people make full use of their international education and to thrive in new places. Our highly respected reports are accepted by more than 5,000 institutions in the U.S. and Canada.  

 Additionally, WES credential evaluation reports do not expire. As new opportunities arise, you can pursue them with the support of your WES credential evaluation.  

WES has issued credential evaluation reports to individuals. Our staff have extensive knowledge of international education. Many have immigrated themselves, so they understand the importance of having international qualifications recognized and they are passionate about our mission. 

How to get started with a WES credential evaluation 

The WES credential evaluation process consists of three key steps:

  1. Apply for a WES credential evaluation and receive a WES reference number. 
  2. Work with your institution to submit your required documents.
  3. WES verifies your documents, completes your report, and delivers it to your institutional recipient.  

 Document submission is a critical part of the process. Fortunately, WES accepts electronic documents from a growing number of institutions, including CXC. Our digital partnership program allows WES to receive documents easily and securely via electronic transmission. 

After you have submitted your WES online application, you will receive a list of required documents and instructions for submitting the documents to WES. Official academic documents and transcripts will need to be sent directly from your institution. You can request your CXC examination certificate on their its website. 

Your future awaits 

Emigrating from the Caribbean with your credentials can be challenging. But there are tools and resources—like WES—available to help you pursue your goals. We look forward to partnering with you as you continue the path toward learning and success! 

Are you ready to start the credential evaluation process? Begin your credential evaluation application today!

 

Shamara Powell
Shamara Powell is Marketing Project Manager at WES. She is originally from Jamaica.

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