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 2019 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 | 33.81% | 17.84% | 48.34% |
Chemistry | 65.92% | 14.88% | 19.19% |
Physics | 58.73% | 16.44% | 24.83% |
Biology | 33.84% | 17.94% | 48.22% |
Combined Science | 55.67% | 17.77% | 26.55% |
Food and Nutrition | 59.08% | 36.32% | 4.60% |
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 | 82.61% | 12.32% | 5.07% |
Art & Design – B | 87.50% | 9.84% | 2.66% |
Art & Design – C | 80.00% | 16.00% | 4.00% |
Music | 75.46% | 17.84% | 6.69% |
Graphical Communications | 85.17% | 11.48% | 3.35% |
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 | 45.69% | 33.64% | 20.66% |
Literature | 78.57% | 16.71% | 4.72% |
History | 41.83% | 23.12% | 35.05% |
Religious Studies | 65.22% | 16.88% | 17.90% |
Geography | 72.09% | 16.87% | 11.04% |
French | 70.43% | 16.96% | 12.61% |
Spanish | 64.79% | 24.72% | 10.50% |
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 | 32.92% | 16.09% | 50.99% |
Office Procedures | 56.23% | 20.16% | 23.61% |
Keyboarding Skills | 57.67% | 17.16% | 25.17% |
Auto Mechanics | 46.55% | 29.31% | 24.14% |
Electrical Installation | 54.55% | 15.66% | 29.80% |
Carpentry & Joinery | 75.74% | 18.32% | 5.94% |
Clothing Construction | 49.50% | 22.77% | 27.72% |
Commerce | 44.52% | 22.60% | 32.88% |
Economics | 49.62% | 17.69% | 32.69% |
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 | 3,951 | 33.81% | 48.34% |
Combined Science | 467 | 55.67% | 26.55% |
Chemistry | 719 | 65.92% | 19.19% |
Biology | 2,704 | 33.84% | 48.22% |
French | 230 | 70.43% | 12.61% |
Spanish | 886 | 64.79% | 10.50% |
Physics | 584 | 58.73% | 24.83% |
English Language | 4,515 | 45.69% | 20.66% |
Literature | 784 | 78.57% | 4.72% |
History | 930 | 41.83% | 35.05% |
I. Mathematics
- A–C grade range: 29.56% (BGCSE 2018) to 33.81% (BGCSE 2019)
- E–G grade range: 54.10% (BGCSE 2018) to 48.34% (BGCSE 2019)
Mathematics performance has improved: A–C grades increased by 4.25%, and E–G grades decreased by 5.76%. Overall, performance has strengthened.
II. Combined Science
- A–C grade range: 39.81% (BGCSE 2018) to 55.67% (BGCSE 2019)
- E–G grade range: 41.13% (BGCSE 2018) to 26.55% (BGCSE 2019)
Combined Science performance has improved significantly: A–C grades increased by 15.86%, and E–G grades decreased by 14.58%. Overall, performance has strengthened.
III. Chemistry
- A–C grade range: 67.64% (BGCSE 2018) to 65.92% (BGCSE 2019)
- E–G grade range: 17.71% (BGCSE 2018) to 19.19% (BGCSE 2019)
Chemistry performance has declined slightly: A–C grades decreased by 1.72%, and E–G grades increased by 1.48%. Overall, performance has weakened modestly.
V. Biology
- A–C grade range: 47.81% (BGCSE 2018) to 33.84% (BGCSE 2019)
- E–G grade range: 33.21% (BGCSE 2018) to 48.22% (BGCSE 2019)
Biology performance has declined sharply: A–C grades decreased by 13.97%, and E–G grades increased by 15.01%. Overall, performance has worsened significantly.
VI. French
- A–C grade range: 62.11% (BGCSE 2018) to 70.43% (BGCSE 2019)
- E–G grade range: 15.44% (BGCSE 2018) to 12.61% (BGCSE 2019)
French performance has improved sharply: A–C grades increased by 8.32%, and E–G grades decreased by 2.83%. Overall, performance has improved significantly.
VII. Spanish
- A–C grade range: 64.58% (BGCSE 2018) to 64.79% (BGCSE 2019)
- E–G grade range: 11.62% (BGCSE 2018) to 10.50% (BGCSE 2019)
Spanish performance has remained stable: A–C grades increased by 0.21%, and E–G grades decreased by 1.12%. Overall, performance is consistent.
VIII. Physics
- A–C grade range: 49.60% (BGCSE 2018) to 58.73% (BGCSE 2019)
- E–G grade range: 29.73% (BGCSE 2018) to 24.83% (BGCSE 2019)
Physics performance has improved: A–C grades increased by 9.13%, and E–G grades decreased by 4.90%. Overall, performance has strengthened.
X. English Language
- A–C grade range: 38.45% (BGCSE 2018) to 45.69% (BGCSE 2019)
- E–G grade range: 24.38% (BGCSE 2018) to 20.66% (BGCSE 2019)
English Language performance has improved: A–C grades increased by 7.24%, and E–G grades decreased by 3.72%. Overall, performance has strengthened.
X. Literature
- A–C grade range: 72.84% (BGCSE 2018) to 78.57% (BGCSE 2019)
- E–G grade range: 6.91% (BGCSE 2018) to 4.72% (BGCSE 2019)
Literature performance has improved: A–C grades increased by 5.73%, and E–G grades decreased by 2.19%. Overall, performance has strengthened.
XI. History
- A–C grade range: 48.44% (BGCSE 2018) to 41.83% (BGCSE 2019)
- E–G grade range: 28.13% (BGCSE 2018) to 35.05% (BGCSE 2019)
History performance has declined: A–C grades decreased by 6.61%, and E–G grades increased by 6.92%. Overall, performance has worsened.
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 – A | 276 | 82.61% | 5.07% |
Art & Design – B | 376 | 87.50% | 2.66% |
Art & Design – C | 25 | 80.00% | 4.00% |
Carpentry & Joinery | 202 | 75.74% | 5.94% |
French | 230 | 70.43% | 12.61% |
Geography | 824 | 72.09% | 11.04% |
Graphical Communications | 209 | 85.17% | 3.35% |
Literature | 784 | 78.57% | 4.72% |
Music | 269 | 75.46% | 6.69% |
4.3 | Table 2: Low-Performing Subjects
Low-Performing Subjects | Total Candidates | % of A–C Scores | % of E–G Scores |
Biology | 2,704 | 33.84% | 48.22% |
Book-Keeping & Accounts | 404 | 32.92% | 50.99% |
Commerce | 438 | 44.52% | 32.88% |
Economics | 260 | 49.62% | 32.69% |
History | 930 | 41.83% | 35.05% |
Mathematics | 3,951 | 33.81% | 48.34% |
5. Analysis
The BGCSE 2019 examination results reveal a combination of encouraging improvements and persistent weaknesses across subject domains. In S.T.E.M., Mathematics shows modest progress compared to the BGCSE 2018, with A–C scores rising to 33.81% and below-average scores falling to 48.34%. However, performance remains critically low, with nearly half of students still struggling. Combined Science demonstrates the most significant improvement, with A–C scores increasing by nearly 16% and below-average scores dropping by over 14%, indicating stronger comprehension and problem-solving skills. Physics also improved, with 58.73% of students achieving above-average scores and fewer scoring poorly. Chemistry, however, declined slightly, with A–C scores falling to 65.92% and below-average scores rising. Biology shows the sharpest decline, with A–C scores dropping to 33.84% and nearly half of students performing below average, highlighting systemic challenges in science learning.
The Arts continue to excel, with consistently high achievement across all subjects. Art & Design B (87.50% A–C), Art & Design A (82.61% A–C), and Graphical Communications (85.17% A–C) demonstrate strong outcomes, while Music (75.46% A–C) and Art & Design C (80.00% A–C) also maintain high success rates. These results confirm the Arts as the strongest domain overall, with very low proportions of students scoring in the E–G range. In the Humanities, Literature shows notable improvement, rising to 78.57% A–C and fewer than 5% of students scoring poorly. Geography also performs strongly, with 72.09% of students achieving above-average scores. English Language shows improvement, with 45.69% of students achieving A–C and fewer scoring in the E–G range, though performance remains moderate. Religious Studies maintains solid results, while History reveals a decline, with A–C scores dropping to 41.83% and over one-third of students scoring poorly.
Professional and Vocational Studies present mixed outcomes. Carpentry & Joinery stands out as a high performer, with 75.74% of students achieving above-average scores and very few scoring poorly. Office Procedures and Keyboarding Skills show moderate success, with more than half of students achieving A–C grades. However, Book-Keeping & Accounts remains one of the weakest subjects overall, with only 32.92% of students achieving above-average scores and more than half scoring in the E–G range. Commerce and Economics also reveal deficiencies, with over 30% of students performing below average. Auto Mechanics and Electrical Installation show moderate results but still leave a significant proportion of students struggling.
When comparing high- and low-performing subjects, the Arts dominate the high-performing category, with multiple disciplines exceeding 80% A–C scores and maintaining very low failure rates. Literature, French, and Geography also emerge as strong performers. In contrast, Mathematics, Biology, Book-Keeping & Accounts, Commerce, Economics, and History 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 workforce readiness.
6. Conclusion
The BGCSE 2019 results underscores both progress and regression within the education system. The Arts continue to demonstrate outstanding achievement, with subjects such as Art & Design B, Art & Design C, and Graphical Communications producing some of the highest success rates across all domains. Literature and Geography also show strong improvement, confirming the Humanities’ potential for excellence. Mathematics and Combined Science reveal encouraging gains compared to the BGCSE 2018, while Physics shows steady improvement. However, Biology and History both declined sharply, raising concerns about science comprehension and historical literacy. Vocational studies remain uneven, with strong results in Carpentry & Joinery but persistent deficiencies in business-related disciplines such as Book-Keeping, Commerce, and Economics.
Overall, the findings emphasize the urgent need for targeted interventions in Biology, History, Mathematics, and vocational business subjects, alongside curriculum adjustments to address persistent weaknesses. At the same time, best practices from high-performing disciplines in the Arts, Literature, and Geography 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 literary 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 32, No. 43. Ministry of Finance, The Bahamas, December 2019.
- Ministry of Education & Technical & Vocational Training Examination and Assessment Division. National Examinations Report BJC & BGCSE 2025. August 2025.