Education
CARIB | May 10, 2021

CXC releases 2021 CAPE/CSEC broad exam topics

Juanique Tennant

Juanique Tennant / Our Today

Reading Time: 6 minutes

In keeping with its promise to provide relief to the apprehensions of students and teachers with regard to the sitting of upcoming examinations, the Caribbean Examinations Council has released the 2021 broad topics for all paper two Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Exam (CAPE) and Caribbean Secondary Examinations Certificate (CSEC) exams.

The release of the broad topics is one in a number of measures put forward by the council to allay the worries of regional education stakeholders as it relates to the June/July examination sitting.

According to the broad topic listing, paper two exam topics for CSEC examinations will flow as follows:

SubjectPaper 02Paper 03
Biology1. Nutrition
2. Biotic and Abiotic factors
3. Food Chains
4. Predator/Prey Relationships
5. Decomposers
6. Treatment and Control of Diseases
7. Transport
8. Excretion
9. Reproduction
10. Continuity and Variation		1. Food Tests
2. Ecological Study and Appropriate 3. Sampling Methods
4. The Eye
5. Disease
Chemistry1. Atomic Structure
2. Periodic Table and Periodicity
3. Mole Concept
4. Acids, Bases and Salts
5. Electrochemistry
6. Sources of Hydrocarbon Compounds
7. Organic Chemistry – An Introduction
8. Reactions of Carbon Compounds
9. Non-metals
10.Qualitative Analysis		1. Mole Concept
2. Acids, Bases and Salts
3. Rates of Reaction
4. States of Matter
English Language (A) 1. Section A consists of one compulsory question –
informative discourse (summary).
2. Section B consists of one compulsory question –
informative discourse (exposition).
3. Section C consists of two optional questions. These
questions require candidates to produce a short story.
4. Section D consists of one compulsory argumentative
essay question.		This paper will consist of a guided critique of three pieces of stimulus material:
1. An excerpt from a recent newspaper article on a
topical issue
2. A cartoon strip or lyrics to a song on the same topical
issue
3. A poem, short story, public speech (extract) on the
same issue
English Literature (B)This paper is divided into three sections:
1. Section A – Drama (Shakespeare and Modern Drama). This section consists of TWO Type A questions, ONE on each text.
2. Section B – Poetry. This section consists of TWO Type B questions, one generic question allowing candidates to use two appropriate choices from the prescribed poems and one question based on two named poems from the prescribed list.
3. Section C – Prose Fiction (EITHER West Indian novel OR other novels in English OR West Indian short story and other short stories in English). This section consists of FOUR questions: TWO Type A questions, ONE on each prescribed novel and TWO Type B questions, one generic question allowing candidates to use two appropriate choices from the prescribed short stories and one question based on two named short stories from the prescribed list.
Information Technology1. Computer Fundamentals
2. Networking
3. Implications of Misuse and Cybersecurity
4. Word Processing
5. Spreadsheets
6. Database
7. Problem Solving and Programming
– Algorithms/Flowcharts and Pseudocodes
– Trace Tables
– Variables and Constants
– Conditional Statements and Relational Operators (Loops)		1. Word Processing
2. Web Page Design
3. Spreadsheets
4. Database Management
5. Problem Solving and Programming
– Algorithms/Flowcharts and Pseudocodes
– Trace Tables
– Variables and Constants
– Conditional Statements and Relational Operators
(Loops)
– IPO Chart
Mathematics This paper consists of ten compulsory structured-type
questions based on the following:
1. Number Theory
2. Consumer Arithmetic
3. Computation
4. Measurement
5. Statistics
6. Algebra
7. Relations, Functions and Graphs
8. Investigation
9. Geometry and Trigonometry
10. Vectors and Matrices		1. Measurement
2. Geometry and Trigonometry
3. Relations, Functions and Graphs
4. Matrices
Physics1. Graph Work and Analysis of data
2. Deformation
3. Turning Forces
4. Temperature
5. Gas Laws
6. Types of Waves
7. Speed of Sound
8. Reflection
9. Refraction
10. Critical Angle and Total Internal Reflection
11. Alternating Current
12. Resistance
13. Magnetic Forces
14. Electromagnetic Force
15. Motors
16. Particles in the Atom
17. Radioactive Emissions
18. Half-life		1. Graph Work and Analysis of Data
2. Measurement
3. Hydrostatics
4. Specific Heat Capacity
5. Resistance
Social StudiesSection A – Answer ALL questions.
1. Family
2. Social Groups and Institutions, including Government
3. Development and Use of Resources
4. Regional Integration

Section B – Answer ONE question.
5. Communication
6. Consumer Affairs
7. Tourism		Five structured questions based on research activities.
The paper will test candidates’ ability to employ skills of
enquiry, communication, critical thinking, and decision-making.
SpanishA written paper in four Sections, one question in each
section.

Section I: Requires candidates to provide written responses in the target language to a series of situations described in English.

Of the following functions, ten will appear in the
situational responses.

Additionally, the paper two exam topics for CAPE examinations will flow as follows:

UNIT 1

SubjectPaper 02Paper 03
Biology1. Aspects of Biochemistry
2. Cell Structure and Functions
3. Structure and Roles of Nucleic Acids
4. Cell Division and Variation
5. Aspects of Genetic Engineering
6. Reproduction in Plants
7. Sexual Reproduction in Humans		1. Aspects of Biochemistry
2. Patterns of Inheritance
3. Reproduction in Plants
Chemistry 1. Atomic Structure
2. Mole Concept
3. Redox Reactions
4. Rates of Reaction
5. Chemical Equilibria
6. Buffers and pH
7. Group II elements
8. First Row Transition Elements		1. The Mole Concept
2. Rates of Reaction
3. Identification of Cations and Anions
Communication StudiesCandidates will be asked to write THREE essays in which they
will be required to do the following:

1. Analyze an expository passage written in Standard English
– Summarize main message and identify author’s purpose
– Assess the effectiveness of the organizational and rhetorical strategies used to convey the message and achieve the writer’s purpose.
2. Analyze a narrative passage which includes Caribbean Creole English
– Discuss the use of elements of language, such as dialectical variety, language registers, communicative
behaviours and attitudes to language.
3. Write a proposal for the delivery of a message to a specific audience and justify the use of the following for the
targeted audience.
– Promotional strategies
– Rhetorical appeals
– Presentation strategies
– Technological devices
– The timeline for delivery		Candidates will be asked to write THREE essays in which they will be required to do the following:

1. Analyse an expository passage written in Standard English
– Summarize main message and identify author’s purpose.
– Assess the effectiveness of the organizational and
rhetorical strategies used to convey the message and achieve the writer’s purpose.
– Analyse a narrative passage which includes Caribbean Creole English
– Discuss the use of elements of language, such as dialectical
variety, language registers, communicative behaviours and
attitudes to language.
– Envision how the communicative behaviours could be
depicted.
3. Analyse a message in which they
– identify the audience
– justify the author’s strategies for appealing to this
audience
– justify context of message dissemination.
Information Technology1. Information Technology vs other Disciplines in
Computing
2. Information Processing
3. History of Information
Technology
4. Characteristics of Information Sources
5. Tools Used in Information Technology
6. Components of an Information Technology System
7. Purpose and Functions of Hardware Components
8. Types of HCI
9. Security of Information Technology Systems
10. Structure of the World Wide Web
11. Concept of Problem-solving
12. Problem-solving Techniques		1. Information Technology problems
2. Data Gathering
3. Implementing Solutions and Justifications
Law1. Roles and Functions of the Functionaries in the Legal
Personnel
2. The Doctrine of Separation of Powers
– The Concept of Rule of Law
– Judicial Review
3. Defense in Criminal Law		Child Sex Abuse
Literatures in EnglishThis is an extended essay paper in three sections:
1. Section A (Drama) will comprise TWO questions,
ONE on each of the prescribed texts. Candidates must answer ONE question.
2. Section B (Poetry) will comprise TWO questions on
the three prescribed poets. Candidates must answer
ONE question with reference to one of the prescribed poets.
3. Section C (Prose Fiction) will comprise TWO questions of which candidates must answer ONE. Candidates must use ONE Caribbean text AND EITHER ONE British, OR ONE American, OR ONE
Postcolonial text.		Paper 032 is an extended essay paper consisting of THREE
questions, one on each of the modules. Candidates must
write a critical appreciation of an excerpt from a play, a
poem and a prose extract.
Physics1. Motions
2. The Effect of Forces
3. Harmonic Motion
4. Properties of Waves
5. Physics of the Ear and Eye
6. The Kinetic Theory of Gases
7. Heat Transfer		1. Motions
2. Properties of Waves
3. Design and Use of Thermometers
4. Mechanical Properties of Materials
Pure Mathematics1. Reasoning and Logic
2. The Real Number System
3. Algebraic Operations
4. Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
5. Functions
6. The Modulus Function
7. Cubic Functions and Equations
8. Trigonometric Functions, Identities and Equations
9. Coordinate Geometry
10. Vectors
11. Limits
12. Differentiation
13. Integration		1. The Real Number System
2. Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
3. Cubic Functions and Equations
4. Trigonometric Functions, Identities and Equations
5. Coordinate Geometry
6. Vectors
7. Differentiation
8. Integration
Sociology1. Principles of Scientific Research
2. Education
3. Concepts of Stratification in a Comparative Perspective
4. Theoretical Perspectives
5. Evolution of Caribbean Stratification		Three structured questions based on research activities.
This paper will test knowledge of sociological concepts contained in the syllabus and skills of sociological research.

UNIT 2

SubjectPaper 02Paper 03
Biology1. Cellular Respiration and ATP Synthesis
2. Energy Flow and Nutrient Cycling
3. Transport in the Phloem
4. Nervous Coordination
Immunology
5. Substance Abuse		1. Cellular Respiration and ATP Synthesis
2. The Kidney, Excretion and Osmoregulation
3. Health and Disease
4. Substance Abuse
Chemistry 1. Structure and Formulae
2. Functional Group Analysis (Alkanes, Alkenes)
3. Uncertainty in Measurements
4. Titrimetric Methods of Analysis
5. Gravimetric Methods of Analysis
6. Locating and Operating Industrial Plants
7. Ammonia
8. Ethanol		1. Functional Group Analysis, Reactions and
Mechanisms
2. Titrimetric (Volumetric) Methods of Analysis
3. Crude Oil
Caribbean Studies1. Impact of Geographical phenomena – coral reefs
2. Associations Related to Integration in the Caribbean
3. Impact of Societal Institutions on Caribbean People – Religion: African, Asian, European-derived,
syncretic
4. Contributions of Sports to Caribbean Development		1. Research Process
– Research Design
– Collecting Information
– Presenting and Interpreting Data
– Drawing Conclusions
2. The Use of Technology in Education in a Named Caribbean
Country since 1980
OR
Festivals in the Caribbean Country
Information Technology1. Files and Databases
2. Normalization
3. Software Tools
4. Information Sources
5. Information Technology Tools
6. Webpages
7. Information Technology and Society
8. Legal and Ethical Considerations
9. Computer Crimes
10. Cybersecurity
11. Policies and Practices		1. Information Technology Problems
2. Use of Information Technology Tools to Solve
Real-life Problems
3. Risk Management
Law1. Defamation
2. Formation and Discharge of Contracts
3. Law of Easements		Fixtures and Chattels
Literatures in EnglishThis is an extended essay paper in three sections:
1. Section A (Drama) will comprise TWO
questions of which candidates must answer
ONE. Candidates must use ONE of the prescribed works of Shakespeare AND ONE of the prescribed works of Modern Drama.
2. Section B (Poetry) will comprise TWO
questions, one on each of the prescribed poets. Candidates must answer ONE question.
3. Section C (Prose Fiction) will comprise TWO
questions. Candidates must answer ONE
question with reference to ONE of the three prescribed texts.		Paper 032 is an extended essay paper consisting of THREE questions, one on each of the modules. Candidates must write a critical appreciation of an excerpt from a play, a poem and a prose extract.
Physics1. Electrical Quantities
2. Electrical Circuits
3. Electric Fields
4. Capacitors
5. Operational Amplifiers
6. Particulate Nature of Electromagnetic Radiation
7. Radioactivity		1. Electrical Quantities
2. Electrical Circuits
3. Radioactivity
4. Alternating Currents
Pure Mathematics1. Complex Numbers
2. Differentiation
3. Integration
4. Sequences
5. Series
6. The Binomial Theorem
7. Roots of Equations
8. Counting
9. Matrices and Systems of Linear Equations
10. Differential Equations and Modelling		1. Complex Numbers
2. Differentiation
3. Integration
4. Series
5. The Binomial Theorem
6. Roots of Equations
7. Counting
8. Matrices and Systems of Linear Equations
9. Differential Equations and Modelling
Sociology1. Concepts of Development
2. Indicators of Development
3. The Sociological Perspectives of Development
4. Concepts Related to Crime and Deviance
5. Perspectives on Crime and Deviance
6. Concepts Underlying Major Caribbean Social Issues
7. Sociological Perspectives on the Causes and Effects
of the Major Caribbean Social Issues
8. Causes and Effects of Major Caribbean Social
Issues		Three structured questions based on research activities.
This paper will test knowledge of sociological concepts contained in the syllabus and skills of sociological research.

A complete listing of subjects and their broad topics can be found on the CXC website.

Tags
CAPE Exams Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination Caribbean Examinations Council Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate CSEC Exams

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