The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) is raising concern over a sharp increase in examination irregularities across the region, with artificial intelligence misuse appearing among reported offences for the first time.

The concern comes as CXC revealed that more than 35,000 candidates were absent from examinations this year, leaving them unable to receive grades for subjects in which required components were missed.

CXC Director of Operations Dr Nicole Manning disclosed the figures during the official release of the 2026 regional examination results, which showed an overall pass rate of 72.18 per cent for the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and 93.52 per cent for the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).

While the CSEC performance represented a slight improvement over last year, Manning said absenteeism and examination misconduct remain serious concerns for CXC and education systems throughout the Caribbean.

According to the figures presented, 32,403 CSEC candidates failed to turn up for their examinations, while another 3,534 CAPE candidates were absent.

Manning said the number of students missing examinations should be a matter of concern across the region, particularly since candidates cannot be graded when they fail to complete a required component of their assessment.

“32,403 candidates not turning up for exams is something that the education system across the region has to be concerned about,” Manning said. “It is something that the Caribbean Examinations Council is concerned about, and we are working very hard to encourage our candidates to turn up.”

CXC surveys have suggested that some candidates choose not to attend examinations because they feel they are not sufficiently prepared. Manning, however, encouraged students to sit their examinations regardless of how prepared they may feel.

CXC is also confronting a growing problem with examination misconduct.

The number of reported irregularities jumped from 80 to 128 this year, with the use of unauthorised devices accounting for the largest share of cases.

Other violations included candidates colluding with each other during examinations and using unauthorised materials.

For the first time, however, CXC also recorded cases involving the misuse of artificial intelligence.

“This year we saw a whopping 128, moving from 80,” Manning said.

She identified unauthorised devices as the most commonly reported violation, followed by collusion and the use of unauthorised material.

“And the new one on the block, AI misuse. We have never had this before. This is new,” Manning said.

The development comes as schools and examination bodies worldwide grapple with the growing accessibility of artificial intelligence tools and their potential impact on academic integrity.

Candidates found responsible for examination irregularities can face serious consequences, including the cancellation of grades or disqualification.

Despite the concerns, CXC said hundreds of students experiencing genuine hardship were supported through its compassionate consideration process.

A total of 359 candidates benefited from the provision this year because of circumstances including medical conditions and bereavement.

The process is intended to ensure that candidates facing circumstances beyond their control are not unfairly disadvantaged in their examinations.

CXC says it will continue working with Ministries of Education across the Caribbean as it seeks to address the high level of absenteeism and the increase in examination misconduct.