THE Primary Exit Profile (PEP) exam results, which are normally released in June before schools break for the summer holiday, are now scheduled for July 8, a Government source told the Jamaica Observer.

Early February, the education ministry announced that a decision was taken to postpone the PEP Ability Test from February 22 to March 24, while the Performance-based Test, which was scheduled for March 22 and 24, was cancelled.

At the same time, the Grade 6 Curriculum-based Test was administered on the set dates — language arts and science on April 27; and mathematics and social studies April 28.

Components of the exam for grades 4 and 5 were also rescheduled.

The ministry said the decision to make adjustments to the administration dates came after consultation with the National Standards Curriculum and PEP monitoring committees after concerns from stakeholders and feedback from teachers.

Acting Chief Education Officer Dr Kasan Troupe is expected to outline the challenges faced by the education ministry when doing an analysis of the examination on July 8.

PEP is the exam that is used to place grade 6 students at secondary schools when the new academic year opens in September for the Christmas term.

The late release of results could set back the arrangements by schools for preparations in receiving their new students. In addition, it could affect those seeking transfers to traditional high schools, although the Ministry of Education has been trying to clamp down on transfers.

A total of 35,923 students from public and private schools sat the test at 1,052 designated centres.