SEA on April 6

According to the Education Ministry yesterday, between 20,669 and 21,448 students write the exam every year. The SEA replaced the Common Entrance exam in 2001.

SEA is a placement exam which determines entry of students into secondary schools based on performances in Math, Language Arts and Creative Writing.

The ministry is advising parents to motivate children who are preparing for the exam and reduce anxiety and additional pressures. The night before the exam, parents are also told to avoid too many phone calls and relatives wishing the child “good luck,” and after the exam the child should be encouraged to discuss his feelings.

Other examinations scheduled for this year are CXC from May 8 to June 23, GCE A-Levels from May 15 to June 23, CAPE from May 8 to June 16, the National Certificate of Secondary Education from May 19 to June 23, primary school leaving certificate from June 28 to 29 and the teachers’ college final exams from June 5 to 29.