The Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information has advised school administrators, board chairmen and regional directors of amendments to the administration of the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) for the 2025-2026 academic year.

In a bulletin circulated to schools, the Ministry noted that the changes come in response to concerns raised by stakeholders about the number of assessments given at Grades 4, 5 and 6. Consultations were held with principals, teachers, parents, the Jamaica Teachers’ Association and curriculum specialists before the adjustments were finalised.

For Grade 6, the PEP assessment period will be shortened, running from March to April instead of February to April. The number of testing days has been reduced from five to four.

Literacy and numeracy test items will now be embedded in the Language Arts and Mathematics Curriculum-Based Tests, increasing the number of multiple-choice questions from 40 to 60. The Ability Test, usually held in February, will instead be administered last on April 23, 2026.

The Ministry indicated that there will be no changes to the Grade 4 and Grade 5 assessment schedules. Grade 4 tests will be conducted on June 3 and 4, 2026, while Grade 5 tests will take place on June 10 and 11, 2026.

School administrators have been asked to share the updated schedule with parents and teachers to ensure the smooth administration of the assessments. The Ministry reminded institutions that the dates remain subject to change.