Today, Tuesday, February 26, 2019 marks the “first ever“ sitting of the PEP examination in Jamaica. Many students would have been accustomed to the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) which was in place for 19 years; the examination that PEP has replaced. Grade 6 students all over the island of Jamaica would have completed the first phase of the Primary Exit Profile (PEP). PEP has been on everyone lips; a complete nationwide topic. The last time something was this popular, it was the election. “When GSAT came in it was not talked about so much” one parent remarked. A teacher alluded that GSAT was just as prevalent, but emphasized that it was because of social media that PEP was more publicized.
The Ability Test consisted on 40 multiple choice questions, the examination duration was a hour and 15 minutes. Students started the examination at 9:00 am, the pens were down at 10:20 am. The Ability Test is 30% of the final grade for the PEP examination.
The feedback given by students were varying, some reported that the exam was manageable and that they did not see anything new on the examination. On the contrary, others complained that is was challenging and that they did not learn what appeared on the examination in class. Another set said that the first part, which was mostly from the category of Language Arts was easier, however, the latter which was from Mathematics was more difficult.
Instructors have been teaching assiduously from new texts such as PEP practice For Grades 4, 5 and 6 Students by Shalette Ashman, and other reasoning and critical thinking oriented books and any other material the can salvage online. Its no news that student were rigorously practicing, with many students attending Saturday and Sunday classes apart from the routine evening classes. Subsequently, some teachers allowed them to rest after the examination today.
The first part of the mammoth examination is over. Students, teachers and parents alike will now brush off the dust, regroup at begin to prepare for the remaining upcoming phases which are as scheduled:
- The Performance Task, Wednesday and Thursday, March 27-28, 2019.
- The Curriculum Based Tests (the Final examination), Tuesday and Wednesday, April 16-17, 2019.
We wish them good luck.
PEP 