Candidate numbers decline continues as access accommodations reach record high

The Ministry of Education Transformation is pressing ahead with phasing out the traditional common entrance examination from September, replacing the high-stakes, single-day test with a continuous assessment model designed to track student development over time, Minister of Education Transformation Chad Blackman confirmed on Monday.

As the ministry released the 2026 examination results, Blackman revealed that the shift forms the cornerstone of a broader, years-long education overhaul aimed at bringing equity, fairness, and a “purpose-driven” focus to the national curriculum.

“I understand the historical significance that a Common Entrance [Exam] has played in Barbados, and this is no different today,” Blackman said. “But it must not determine how people are viewed; it must not determine a person’s self-worth. It must determine, however, your ability to move forward and to help build and shape this nation.”