New PEP Structure Introduced for 2025: Focus Shifts to Core Skills and Equity

Date: 2025-08-06 | Location: | Category: Education

Kingston, Jamaica – August 6, 2025

The Ministry of Education and Youth has officially announced a revised structure for the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) beginning with the 2025–2026 academic year, marking one of the most significant overhauls since the exam replaced GSAT in 2018.

Under the new PEP structure, students will sit two main exams instead of three, with the Performance Task component now fully integrated into regular classroom-based assessments.


What’s New in the PEP 2.0 Structure?
Only Two National Tests:

Ability Test (February) – Assesses critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Curriculum-Based Test (March) – Focuses on Mathematics, Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies.

Performance Tasks Removed from National Schedule:

Teachers will now conduct school-based assessments (SBAs) that align with national rubrics.

These will be monitored by regional education officers for fairness and standardisation.

Greater Emphasis on Literacy and Numeracy:

Early Grade students (Grades 1–3) will undergo new diagnostic assessments to support interventions.

A national literacy and numeracy benchmark will determine student readiness by Grade 4.

Digital Reporting for Parents:

Parents will receive online access to student profiles with breakdowns of strengths, weaknesses, and career readiness indicators.

Reports will be available through the MOEY Student Portal.

Why the Change?

Minister of Education, Fayval Williams, explained that the revised PEP structure is designed to ease pressure on students, streamline assessments, and provide more meaningful feedback to parents and educators.

"This is not a lowering of standards," she said. "It is a smarter, more supportive way to assess our children’s readiness for high school and beyond."

Reactions from Schools and Parents
Teachers have welcomed the shift, noting that less national testing means more instructional time and a better chance to address learning gaps. However, some parents are still adjusting to the new grading approach, especially with SBAs now counting toward placement.

Implementation Timeline

September 2025 – New structure begins in all primary schools.

February–March 2026 – First official sitting under the new structure.

April 2026 – SBA moderation process begins.