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 2022 examination dataset reveals distinct patterns of achievement and deficiency across subject domains. While certain disciplines demonstrate strong proficiency and highlight areas of pedagogical success, others expose systemic weaknesses that hinder overall academic readiness. Organizing the results by subject area: STEM, 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 | 32.55% | 15.57% | 51.88% |
Chemistry | 71.89% | 15.86% | 12.25% |
Physics | 65.34% | 16.40% | 18.25% |
Biology | 40.17% | 19.51% | 40.31% |
Combined Science | 66.21% | 11.03% | 22.76% |
Food and Nutrition | 72.75% | 22.61% | 4.64% |
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 | 80.00% | 17.21% | 2.79% |
Art & Design – B | 87.50% | 10.98% | 1.52% |
Art & Design – C | 75.00% | 21.88% | 3.13% |
Music | 73.50% | 20.00% | 6.50% |
Graphical Communications | 88.64% | 9.09% | 2.27% |
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 | 50.96% | 32.64% | 16.41% |
Literature | 81.35% | 13.47% | 5.18% |
History | 56.35% | 19.38% | 24.27% |
Religious Studies | 74.47% | 15.57% | 9.96% |
Geography | 80.63% | 13.86% | 5.51% |
French | 62.38% | 22.28% | 15.35% |
Spanish | 57.92% | 24.89% | 17.19% |
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 | 19.53% | 16.80% | 63.67% |
Office Procedures | 71.65% | 16.86% | 11.49% |
Keyboarding Skills | 49.05% | 18.95% | 32.00% |
Auto Mechanics | 63.04% | 30.43% | 6.52% |
Electrical Installation | 56.06% | 12.12% | 31.82% |
Carpentry & Joinery | 84.11% | 10.28% | 5.61% |
Clothing Construction | 59.74% | 24.68% | 15.58% |
Commerce | 46.29% | 24.73% | 28.98% |
Economics | 59.90% | 16.43% | 23.67% |
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 | 2,814 | 32.55% | 51.88% |
Combined Science | 290 | 66.21% | 22.76% |
Chemistry | 555 | 71.89% | 12.25% |
Biology | 2,173 | 40.17% | 40.31% |
French | 202 | 62.38% | 15.35% |
Spanish | 663 | 57.92% | 17.19% |
Physics | 378 | 65.34% | 18.25% |
English Language | 3,395 | 50.96% | 16.41% |
Literature | 579 | 81.35% | 5.18% |
History | 614 | 56.35% | 24.27% |
I. Mathematics
- A–C grade range: 29.50% (BGCSE 2021) to 32.55% (BGCSE 2022)
- E–G grade range: 52.64% (BGCSE 2021) to 51.88% (BGCSE 2022)
Mathematics performance has improved slightly: A–C grades increased by 3.05%, and E–G grades decreased by 0.76%. Overall, performance has strengthened modestly.
II. Combined Science
- A–C grade range: 61.25% (BGCSE 2021) to 66.21% (BGCSE 2022)
- E–G grade range: 21.77% (BGCSE 2021) to 22.76% (BGCSE 2022)
Combined Science performance has improved: A–C grades increased by 4.96%, while E–G grades increased slightly by 0.99%. Overall, performance has strengthened.
III. Chemistry
- A–C grade range: 70.47% (BGCSE 2021) to 71.89% (BGCSE 2022)
- E–G grade range: 18.69% (BGCSE 2021) to 12.25% (BGCSE 2022)
Chemistry performance has improved: A–C grades increased by 1.42%, and E–G grades decreased by 6.44%. Overall, performance has strengthened significantly.
V. Biology
- A–C grade range: 39.87% (BGCSE 2021) to 40.17% (BGCSE 2022)
- E–G grade range: 40.01% (BGCSE 2021) to 40.31% (BGCSE 2022)
Biology performance has remained stable: A–C grades increased by 0.30%, and E–G grades increased by 0.30%. Overall, performance is unchanged.
VI. French
- A–C grade range: 57.59% (BGCSE 2021) to 62.38% (BGCSE 2022)
- E–G grade range: 17.09% (BGCSE 2021) to 15.35% (BGCSE 2022)
French performance has improved: A–C grades increased by 4.79%, and E–G grades decreased by 1.74%. Overall, performance has strengthened.
VII. Spanish
- A–C grade range: 59.25% (BGCSE 2021) to 57.92% (BGCSE 2022)
- E–G grade range: 15.83% (BGCSE 2021) to 17.19% (BGCSE 2022)
Spanish performance has declined slightly: A–C grades decreased by 1.33%, and E–G grades increased by 1.36%. Overall, performance has weakened modestly.
VIII. Physics
- A–C grade range: 62.33% (BGCSE 2021) to 65.34% (BGCSE 2022)
- E–G grade range: 20.87% (BGCSE 2021) to 18.25% (BGCSE 2022)
Physics performance has improved: A–C grades increased by 3.01%, and E–G grades decreased by 2.62%. Overall, performance has strengthened.
X. English Language
- A–C grade range: 49.48% (BGCSE 2021) to 50.96% (BGCSE 2022)
- E–G grade range: 22.46% (BGCSE 2021) to 16.41% (BGCSE 2022)
English Language performance has improved: A–C grades increased by 1.48%, and E–G grades decreased by 6.05%. Overall, performance has strengthened.
X. Literature
- A–C grade range: 79.18% (BGCSE 2021) to 81.35% (BGCSE 2022)
- E–G grade range: 6.31% (BGCSE 2021) to 5.18% (BGCSE 2022)
Literature performance has improved: A–C grades increased by 2.17%, and E–G grades decreased by 1.13%. Overall, performance has strengthened.
XI. History
- A–C grade range: 47.62% (BGCSE 2021) to 56.35% (BGCSE 2022)
- E–G grade range: 27.09% (BGCSE 2021) to 24.27% (BGCSE 2022)
History performance has improved: A–C grades increased by 8.73%, and E–G grades decreased by 2.82%. 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 – A | 215 | 80.00% | 2.79% |
Art & Design – B | 264 | 87.50% | 1.52% |
Art & Design – C | 32 | 75.00% | 3.13% |
Carpentry & Joinery | 107 | 84.11% | 5.61% |
Chemistry | 555 | 71.89% | 12.25% |
Food and Nutrition | 345 | 72.75% | 4.64% |
Geography | 599 | 80.63% | 5.51% |
Graphical Communications | 132 | 88.64% | 2.27% |
Literature | 579 | 81.35% | 5.18% |
Music | 200 | 73.50% | 6.50% |
Office Procedures | 261 | 71.65% | 11.49% |
Religious Studies | 1,567 | 74.47% | 9.96% |
4.3 | Table 2: Low-Performing Subjects
Low-Performing Subjects | Total Candidates | % of A–C Scores | % of E–G Scores |
Biology | 2,173 | 40.17% | 40.31% |
Book-Keeping & Accounts | 256 | 19.53% | 63.67% |
Electrical Installation | 132 | 56.06% | 31.82% |
Keyboarding Skills | 475 | 49.05% | 32.00% |
Mathematics | 2,814 | 32.55% | 51.88% |
5. Analysis
The BGCSE 2022 examination results reveal a strong divide between high-performing and low-performing subject domains. In S.T.E.M., Chemistry remains one of the strongest subjects, with 71.89% of students achieving above-average scores and only 12.25% scoring poorly. Physics also performs well, with 65.34% of students achieving A–C grades and fewer than 20% in the E–G range. Combined Science shows improvement compared to 2021, with 66.21% of students achieving above-average scores, though nearly one-quarter still struggle. Mathematics continues to be a critical weakness, with only 32.55% of students achieving A–C grades and more than half performing below average. Biology also remains problematic, with just 40.17% of students achieving above-average scores and 40.31% scoring poorly, highlighting persistent challenges in science comprehension.
The Arts domain continues to excel, with consistently high achievement across all subjects. Graphical Communications leads with 88.64% of students achieving above-average scores and very few scoring poorly. Art & Design B (87.50% A–C), Art & Design A (80.00% A–C), and Music (73.50% A–C) also demonstrate strong outcomes, while Art & Design C shows slightly weaker results compared to other Arts subjects but still maintains a high success rate. These results confirm the Arts as the most consistently high-performing domain, with very low proportions of students scoring in the E–G range.
In the Humanities, Literature remains a strong performer, rising to 81.35% A–C, while Geography also demonstrates excellence with 80.63% of students achieving above-average scores. Religious Studies performs well at 74.47% A–C, while English Language shows improvement, with more than half of students achieving above-average scores and fewer than 17% scoring poorly. History also shows notable improvement compared to 2021, with 56.35% of students achieving A–C grades and fewer than one-quarter scoring poorly.
Professional and Vocational Studies present a mixed picture. Carpentry & Joinery (84.11% A–C), Office Procedures (71.65% A–C), and Auto Mechanics (63.04% A–C) stand out as strong performers, while Clothing Construction and Economics also show solid results. However, Book-Keeping & Accounts remains one of the weakest subjects overall, with only 19.53% of students achieving above-average scores and nearly two-thirds performing below average. Keyboarding Skills and Electrical Installation also show concerning results, with more than 30% of students scoring poorly. Commerce demonstrates moderate performance, with 46.29% of students achieving A–C grades but nearly 29% falling into the E–G range.
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, Geography, Chemistry, and Religious Studies also emerge as strong performers. In contrast, Mathematics, Biology, Book-Keeping & Accounts, Keyboarding Skills, and Electrical Installation 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 2022 results underscores both excellence and persistent challenges within the education system. The Arts continue to demonstrate outstanding achievement, with subjects such as Graphical Communications, Art & Design, and Music producing some of the highest success rates across all domains. Literature and Geography also confirm the Humanities’ potential for excellence, while Chemistry and Physics remain strong in S.T.E.M. However, Mathematics and Biology continue to be critical weaknesses, with large proportions of students performing below average. Vocational studies remain uneven, with strong results in Carpentry & Joinery and Office Procedures but persistent deficiencies in Book-Keeping, Keyboarding Skills, and Electrical Installation.
Overall, the findings emphasize the urgent need for targeted interventions in Mathematics, Biology, 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 technical vocational 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 35, No. 46. Ministry of Finance, The Bahamas, December 2022.
- Ministry of Education & Technical & Vocational Training Examination and Assessment Division. National Examinations Report BJC & BGCSE 2025. August 2025.