By: Marvin Cato | HGP Nightly News|
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA — In a critical move to sustain the upward momentum of the nation’s academic performance, the Ministry of Education officially rolled out the second round of NGSA and CSEC Mock Examinations on Monday, March 16, 2026. The exercise, which involved thousands of students from Grade 6, Grade 11, and select Grade 10 classes, placed a strategic spotlight on Mathematics—a subject that has historically challenged Guyanese students but is now seeing record-breaking gains.
A Diagnostic Approach to Success
Minister of Education, Sonia Parag, visited several schools on Monday to offer encouragement. She emphasized that these mock exams are not merely practice runs but essential diagnostic tools.
- Identifying Weaknesses: The Minister urged students to use the results to pinpoint specific topic areas where they struggle before the official exams begin in May.
- Mastering Concepts: She stressed that rote memorization is being replaced by a focus on “conceptual understanding,” which is key to long-term mathematical proficiency.
- The Goal: “We want to ensure you get to that place of full knowledge… remain focused, you know where your weaknesses lie,” Minister Parag told students.
The “Math Turnaround”: By the Numbers
The ministry’s intensified interventions are already yielding historic results. The data from 2025 shows a significant shift in the national performance landscape:
NGSA (Primary) Math Performance:
- 2024 Pass Rate: 40.6%
- 2025 Pass Rate: 55.51% (The highest in Guyana’s history)
CSEC (Secondary) Math Performance:
- 2024 Pass Rate: 27%
- 2025 Pass Rate: 32%
These gains are attributed to the National Math Intervention Programme, which provides schools with specialized coaches, free textbooks, and digital learning resources.
Specialized Support for CSEC Students
For the Grade 11 cohort, the Monday mock exam served as a “litmus test” for the efficacy of the secondary-level intervention strategies.
- Free Resources: The Ministry continues to provide free past paper booklets, geometric sets, and access to the “Guyana Learning Channel” to ensure no student is left behind due to financial constraints.
- May 2026 Outlook: With the official CSEC exams just two months away, today’s “practice run” allows teachers to adjust their final lesson plans to bridge any remaining knowledge gaps.
Timeline to the Final Exams
| Milestone | Level | Date |
| 2nd Mock Exam (Math Focus) | All Levels | Monday, March 16 |
| National Grade Six Assessment | Grade 6 | April 2026 |
| CSEC Official Examinations | Grade 10/11 | May–June 2026 |
Conclusion: A Cultural Shift in Education
The Ministry of Education is “pulling out all the stops” to ensure that the 2026 results exceed the record highs of 2025. By treating Mathematics not as a hurdle but as a manageable skill, the administration hopes to empower a generation of students to excel in a modern, data-driven Guyanese economy.
