1. Introduction
As the national standard for assessing secondary school achievement, the Bahamas General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) exam assesses the academic and career readiness of Bahamian students, giving insight into the health and efficacy of the nation’s education system. This research report examines a comprehensive analysis of recent BGCSE examination results, seeking to move beyond surface-level pass rates to identify underlying trends, patterns, and disparities. By examining performance across core subject areas, this report aims to illuminate the key drivers of student outcomes. The ultimate purpose of this analysis is to provide evidence-based insights that can inform educational policy, guide targeted interventions, and foster a more equitable and successful learning environment for all students in The Bahamas.
2. Methodology
The purpose of this report is to identify and analyze the performance of examinees, by subject domain and letter grade, to present the findings in a format more accessible for gathering insights. Data is categorized primarily by subject domain and letter grades. Letter grades are categorized into grade bands, with A-C representing above-average grades and E-G representing below-average grades. Performance evaluation focuses on these grade bands.
3. Background
Examinee performance is measured using a standardized grading scale that ranges from A to G, as specified by the Ministry of Education and the Technical and Vocational Training Examination and Assessment Division. For simplification, grades are categorized into proficiency bands: A–C indicates above-average performance, while E–G signifies below-average performance. Each grade corresponds to a specific level of proficiency, as detailed below:
- Grade A: Demonstrates specific, appropriate, and comprehensive responses, with evidence of exceptional comprehension and outstanding higher-order skills, including problem-solving and critical thinking.
- Grade B: Reflects specific, appropriate, and comprehensive responses, with strong comprehension and very good higher-order skills in problem-solving and critical thinking.
- Grade C: Indicates responses that are specific and appropriate to the task, showing sound comprehension and good problem-solving skills.
- Grade D: Represents responses that are specific and appropriate, with satisfactory comprehension and adequate problem-solving/critical thinking skills.
- Grade E: Shows general basic knowledge, some comprehension of this knowledge, and limited problem-solving ability.
- Grade F: Reflects limited basic knowledge beyond recall and recognition, with minimal comprehension and notably restricted problem-solving skills.
- Grade G: Indicates very limited basic knowledge confined to recall or recognition, with no evidence of comprehension or problem-solving skills.
4. Key Findings
4.1 Overall. The analysis of the BGCSE 2017 examination dataset reveals distinct patterns of achievement and deficiency across subject domains. Organizing the results by subject area: S.T.E.M., Arts, Humanities, and Professional & Vocational Studies, provides a clearer understanding of where the education system is performing effectively and where targeted interventions are most urgently required.
4.1 | Table 1: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S.T.E.M.)
Subject | % of Above Average Scores (A–C) | % of Average Scores (D) | % of Below Average Scores (E–G) |
Mathematics | 29.01% | 18.34% | 52.65% |
Chemistry | 65.63% | 16.15% | 18.22% |
Physics | 55.57% | 15.29% | 29.14% |
Biology | 50.55% | 18.53% | 30.91% |
Combined Science | 49.39% | 14.89% | 35.73% |
Food and Nutrition | 59.60% | 29.49% | 10.91% |
4.1 | Table 2: The Arts
Subject | % of Above Average Scores (A–C) | % of Average Scores (D) | % of Below Average Scores (E–G) |
Art & Design – A | 72.31% | 23.13% | 4.56% |
Art & Design – B | 89.35% | 7.64% | 3.01% |
Art & Design – C | 84.31% | 11.76% | 3.92% |
Music | 74.43% | 19.74% | 5.83% |
Graphical Communications | 82.56% | 13.18% | 4.26% |
4.1 | Table 3: The Humanities
Subject | % of Above Average Scores (A–C) | % of Average Scores (D) | % of Below Average Scores (E–G) |
English Language | 37.26% | 37.94% | 24.80% |
Literature | 68.13% | 24.64% | 7.23% |
History | 62.43% | 19.11% | 18.46% |
Religious Studies | 64.78% | 20.31% | 14.91% |
Geography | 59.26% | 20.59% | 20.15% |
French | 65.63% | 22.66% | 11.72% |
Spanish | 71.43% | 19.72% | 8.85% |
4.1 | Table 4: Professional & Vocational Studies
Subject | % of Above Average Scores (A–C) | % of Average Scores (D) | % of Below Average Scores (E–G) |
Book-Keeping & Accounts | 44.86% | 16.12% | 39.02% |
Office Procedures | 35.10% | 25.91% | 39.00% |
Keyboarding Skills | 45.85% | 20.32% | 33.83% |
Auto Mechanics | 39.19% | 36.49% | 24.32% |
Electrical Installation | 69.44% | 11.67% | 18.89% |
Carpentry & Joinery | 69.12% | 17.51% | 13.36% |
Clothing Construction | 50.45% | 18.02% | 31.53% |
Commerce | 38.69% | 24.89% | 36.43% |
Economics | 56.40% | 20.80% | 22.80% |
4.2 Foundational Core Subjects. The data reveals notable trends in the foundational core subjects. (Foundational core subjects are the essential disciplines, such as Mathematics, Sciences, Languages, and Humanities, that provide students with the basic knowledge, skills, and competencies needed for higher learning, workforce readiness, and informed citizenship.)
4.2 | Table 1: Performance in Foundational Core Subjects
Subject | Total Candidates | % of A–C Scores | % of E–G Scores |
Mathematics | 3,985 | 29.01% | 52.65% |
Combined Science | 571 | 49.39% | 35.73% |
Chemistry | 774 | 65.63% | 18.22% |
Biology | 2,973 | 50.55% | 30.91% |
French | 256 | 65.63% | 11.72% |
Spanish | 938 | 71.43% | 8.85% |
Physics | 628 | 55.57% | 29.14% |
English Language | 4,670 | 37.26% | 24.80% |
Literature | 913 | 68.13% | 7.23% |
History | 921 | 62.43% | 18.46% |
I. Mathematics
- A–C grade range: 31.54% (BGCSE 2016) to 29.01% (BGCSE 2017)
- E–G grade range: 51.22% (BGCSE 2016) to 52.65% (BGCSE 2017)
Mathematics performance has declined: A–C grades decreased by 2.53%, and E–G grades increased by 1.43%. Overall, performance has worsened.
II. Combined Science
- A–C grade range: 55.97% (BGCSE 2016) to 49.39% (BGCSE 2017)
- E–G grade range: 30.15% (BGCSE 2016) to 35.73% (BGCSE 2017)
Combined Science performance has declined significantly: A–C grades decreased by 6.58%, and E–G grades increased by 5.58%. Overall, performance has worsened.
III. Chemistry
- A–C grade range: 69.86% (BGCSE 2016) to 65.63% (BGCSE 2017)
- E–G grade range: 14.31% (BGCSE 2016) to 18.22% (BGCSE 2017)
Chemistry performance has declined: A–C grades decreased by 4.23%, and E–G grades increased by 3.91%. Overall, performance has worsened.
V. Biology
- A–C grade range: 43.34% (BGCSE 2016) to 50.55% (BGCSE 2017)
- E–G grade range: 34.74% (BGCSE 2016) to 30.91% (BGCSE 2017)
Biology performance has improved: A–C grades increased by 7.21%, and E–G grades decreased by 3.83%. Overall, performance has strengthened.
VI. French
- A–C grade range: 64.00% (BGCSE 2016) to 65.63% (BGCSE 2017)
- E–G grade range: 13.60% (BGCSE 2016) to 11.72% (BGCSE 2017)
French performance has improved: A–C grades increased by 1.63%, and E–G grades decreased by 1.88%. Overall, performance has strengthened.
VII. Spanish
- A–C grade range: 70.37% (BGCSE 2016) to 71.43% (BGCSE 2017)
- E–G grade range: 8.34% (BGCSE 2016) to 8.85% (BGCSE 2017)
Spanish performance has changed slightly: A–C grades increased by 1.06%, and E–G grades increased by 0.51%. Overall, performance has remained stable.
VIII. Physics
- A–C grade range: 64.42% (BGCSE 2016) to 55.57% (BGCSE 2017)
- E–G grade range: 16.61% (BGCSE 2016) to 29.14% (BGCSE 2017)
Physics performance has declined sharply: A–C grades decreased by 8.85%, and E–G grades increased by 12.53%. Overall, performance has worsened.
IX. English Language
- A–C grade range: 43.09% (BGCSE 2016) to 37.26% (BGCSE 2017)
- E–G grade range: 24.11% (BGCSE 2016) to 24.80% (BGCSE 2017)
English Language performance has declined: A–C grades decreased by 5.83%, and E–G grades decreased by 0.69%. Overall, performance has improved.
X. Literature
- A–C grade range: 60.20% (BGCSE 2016) to 68.13% (BGCSE 2017)
- E–G grade range: 16.51% (BGCSE 2016) to 7.23% (BGCSE 2017)
Literature performance has improved: A–C grades increased by 7.93%, and E–G grades increased by 9.28%. Overall, performance has worsened.
XI. History
- A–C grade range: 55.88% (BGCSE 2016) to 62.43% (BGCSE 2017)
- E–G grade range: 23.84% (BGCSE 2016) to 18.46% (BGCSE 2017)
History performance has improved: A–C grades increased by 6.55%, and E–G grades decreased by 5.38%. Overall, performance has strengthened.
4.3 Disparate Performance Across Subject Domains. A comparative analysis shows significant differences in student success rates, categorizing subjects into high-performing and low-performing classifications. High-performing subjects have a concentration of A–C grades scored within the 70% or greater range; in contrast, low-performing subjects have a concentration of over 30% of examinees scoring in the E–G range.
4.3 | Table 1: High-Performing Subjects
High-Performing Subjects | Total Candidates | % of A–C Scores | % of E–G Scores |
Art & Design – B | 432 | 89.35% | 3.01% |
Art & Design – C | 51 | 84.31% | 3.92% |
Art & Design – A | 307 | 72.31% | 4.56% |
Music | 309 | 74.43% | 5.83% |
Spanish | 938 | 71.43% | 8.85% |
4.3 | Table 2: Low-Performing Subjects
Low-Performing Subjects | Total Candidates | % of A–C Scores | % of E–G Scores |
Mathematics | 3,985 | 29.01% | 52.65% |
Biology | 2,973 | 50.55% | 30.91% |
Book-Keeping & Accounts | 428 | 44.86% | 39.02% |
Clothing Construction | 111 | 50.45% | 31.53% |
Combined Science | 571 | 49.39% | 35.73% |
Commerce | 442 | 38.69% | 36.43% |
Keyboarding Skills | 999 | 45.85% | 33.83% |
Office Procedures | 359 | 35.10% | 39.00% |
5. Analysis
The BGCSE 2017 examination results reveal widening disparities across subject domains, with strong performance in the Arts but persistent weaknesses in S.T.E.M. and vocational subjects. In S.T.E.M., Chemistry remains relatively strong with 65.63% of students achieving above-average scores, though this marks a decline compared to 2016. Physics shows a sharp drop, with A–C scores falling to 55.57% and below-average scores rising to nearly 30%. Mathematics continues to be the weakest subject, with only 29.01% of students achieving above-average scores and more than half scoring in the E–G range, reflecting systemic challenges in numeracy. Biology shows improvement compared to 2016, with A–C scores rising to 50.55% and below-average scores decreasing, though nearly one-third of students still struggle. Combined Science, however, declined significantly, with below-average scores rising to 35.73%.
The Arts domain continues to excel, with Art & Design B leading at 89.35% A–C, followed by Art & Design C (84.31%), Music (74.43%), and Graphical Communications (82.56%). These subjects consistently demonstrate high achievement and low failure rates, confirming the Arts as the strongest domain overall. In the Humanities, Literature shows notable improvement, rising to 68.13% A–C, while History also strengthens with 62.43% A–C and fewer students scoring poorly. Religious Studies and Geography maintain moderate success, though Geography shows a slight decline compared to prior years. English Language, however, continues to struggle, with only 37.26% of students achieving above-average scores and nearly 25% performing below average, highlighting persistent literacy challenges.
Professional and Vocational Studies present a mixed picture. Electrical Installation (69.44% A–C) and Carpentry & Joinery (69.12% A–C) are strong performers, while Clothing Construction, Commerce, Book-Keeping & Accounts, and Office Procedures reveal high proportions of below-average scores, each exceeding 30%. Keyboarding Skills also shows weakness, with one-third of students scoring poorly. These results suggest uneven workforce readiness, with technical trades performing better than business-related vocational subjects.
When comparing high- and low-performing subjects, the Arts dominate the high-performing category, with multiple disciplines exceeding 70% A–C scores and maintaining very low failure rates. Spanish also remains strong, with over 71% of students achieving above-average scores. In contrast, Mathematics, Combined Science, Biology, and several vocational subjects such as Book-Keeping, Commerce, and Office Procedures are classified as low-performing, each with more than 30% of students scoring in the E–G range. These disparities highlight systemic weaknesses in foundational numeracy, science comprehension, and vocational business skills, which are critical for higher learning and employability.
6. Conclusion
The BGCSE 2017 results underscores both excellence and decline within the education system. The Arts continue to demonstrate outstanding achievement, with subjects such as Art & Design B, Art & Design C, and Music producing some of the highest success rates across all domains. Spanish also remains a consistently strong performer. However, core S.T.E.M. subjects reveal troubling trends, particularly in Mathematics, Physics, and Combined Science, where performance has declined compared to the BGCSE 2016 and large proportions of students remain below average. English Language also continues to lag, raising concerns about literacy and communication skills. Vocational studies remain uneven, with strong results in technical areas like Electrical Installation and Carpentry, but persistent deficiencies in business-related disciplines such as Book-Keeping, Commerce, and Office Procedures.
Overall, the findings emphasize the urgent need for targeted interventions in Mathematics, Physics, Combined Science, and English Language, alongside curriculum adjustments in vocational subjects with high failure rates. At the same time, best practices from high-performing disciplines in the Arts and select technical subjects should be leveraged to strengthen weaker areas. A balanced investment across S.T.E.M., Humanities, Arts, and Vocational studies is essential to ensure students graduate with the foundational knowledge, critical thinking skills, and practical competencies required for higher education, workforce readiness, and active citizenship. The results ultimately highlight that while excellence is evident in creative and technical fields, systemic reforms are necessary to address persistent weaknesses in core academic and vocational subjects.
7. Citation
- Department of Statistics. Labour Market Information Newsletter, Volume 30, No. 41. Ministry of Finance, The Bahamas, December 2017.
- Ministry of Education & Technical & Vocational Training Examination and Assessment Division. National Examinations Report BJC & BGCSE 2025. August 2025.