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100+ Free CPEA Practice Questions

Pass your CPEA Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (Caribbean Examinations Council) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: CPEA Exam

50 items

Each external CPEA subject paper consists of 50 multiple-choice questions

CXC CPEA Assessment Structure

75 minutes

Time limit for each multiple-choice exam paper

CXC CPEA Administration Guidelines

60% + 40%

Assessment weighting: 60% external exams, 40% internal assessments

CXC CPEA Syllabus

Grade 6

The assessment is taken by students in their final year of primary school (ages 11-12)

CXC Eligibility Rules

3 subjects

External exams cover Mathematics, Language Arts, and Integrated Science (Social Studies is internal/SBA only)

CXC CPEA Administrator's Handbook

100

Free practice questions covering math, language arts, and science here

OpenExamPrep

The Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (CPEA) is the regional exam taken by primary school Grade 6 students (ages 11-12) for secondary school placement. It combines continuous school-based assessment (40%) with external multiple-choice exams (60%) consisting of three 50-item papers in Mathematics, Language Arts, and Integrated Science; Civic Literacy (Social Studies) is internal/SBA only. Each external paper has a 75-minute limit. This 100-question practice bank covers Mathematics (35 questions), Language Arts (35 questions), and Integrated Science (30 questions) with worked math calculations and clear explanations.

Sample CPEA Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your CPEA exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1What is the Arabic numeral equivalent to the Roman numeral CLXIV?
A.144
B.154
C.164
D.174
Explanation: To convert CLXIV to an Arabic numeral, break it down: C = 100, L = 50, X = 10, and IV = 4. Adding these values together gives 100 + 50 + 10 + 4 = 164.
2In the number 352,408, what is the place value of the digit 5?
A.Ten thousands
B.Thousands
C.Hundred thousands
D.Tens
Explanation: Looking at the position of the digit 5 in 352,408: 8 is in the ones place, 0 in tens, 4 in hundreds, 2 in thousands, 5 in ten thousands, and 3 in hundred thousands.
3What is the value of the digit 7 in the decimal number 45.372?
A.7 tenths
B.7 hundredths
C.7 thousandths
D.7 tens
Explanation: In the decimal number 45.372, the first digit after the decimal point (3) is in the tenths place, the second digit (7) is in the hundredths place (0.07), and the third digit (2) is in the thousandths place.
4Evaluate the expression: 2 1/4 + 1 2/3.
A.3 3/7
B.3 11/12
C.3 3/12
D.4 1/12
Explanation: First, add the whole numbers: 2 + 1 = 3. Next, find a common denominator for the fractions 1/4 and 2/3, which is 12. Equivalent fractions are 3/12 and 8/12. Adding them gives 3/12 + 8/12 = 11/12. Combining these gives 3 11/12.
5Devon had 48 mangoes. He gave 3/8 of them to his grandmother. How many mangoes does Devon have left?
A.18
B.24
C.30
D.42
Explanation: Calculate the number of mangoes given to the grandmother: 3/8 of 48 is (48 / 8) * 3 = 6 * 3 = 18 mangoes. Devon has 48 - 18 = 30 mangoes left.
6Which of the following sets of fractions is arranged in ascending order (smallest to largest)?
A.1/2, 1/3, 1/4
B.1/4, 1/3, 1/2
C.1/3, 1/4, 1/2
D.1/4, 1/2, 1/3
Explanation: For unit fractions (fractions with a numerator of 1), the larger the denominator, the smaller the value of the fraction. Therefore, 1/4 (0.25) is smaller than 1/3 (0.33...), which is smaller than 1/2 (0.50). The correct ascending order is 1/4, 1/3, 1/2.
7Anika bought a pencil case for $8.75 and a pen for $3.50. She paid with a $20 bill. How much change should she receive?
A.$7.75
B.$8.25
C.$12.25
D.$11.25
Explanation: First, find the total cost of the items: $8.75 + $3.50 = $12.25. Then, subtract the total cost from the payment: $20.00 - $12.25 = $7.75. Therefore, Anika should receive $7.75 in change.
8A piece of rope measuring 15.6 metres is cut into 6 equal smaller pieces. What is the length of each smaller piece?
A.2.4 metres
B.2.6 metres
C.2.8 metres
D.3.1 metres
Explanation: Divide the total length of the rope by the number of pieces: 15.6 / 6 = 2.6. Each smaller piece of rope measures 2.6 metres.
9Tariq and Nia share $160 in the ratio 3:5. How much money does Nia receive?
A.$60
B.$80
C.$100
D.$120
Explanation: The total ratio parts are 3 + 5 = 8 parts. Find the value of one part: $160 / 8 = $20. Nia's share is 5 parts, so Nia receives 5 * $20 = $100.
10A recipe for 4 servings requires 3 cups of flour. How many cups of flour are needed to make 12 servings?
A.6 cups
B.9 cups
C.12 cups
D.15 cups
Explanation: Determine the scale factor for the servings: 12 servings / 4 servings = 3. Multiply the cups of flour by this factor: 3 cups * 3 = 9 cups of flour.

About the CPEA Exam

The Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (CPEA) is an assessment model designed by the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) for primary school students in Grade 6 (ages 11-12). It replaces traditional common entrance exams in several participating Caribbean countries, shifting the focus towards continuous, school-based assessments combined with standardized end-of-year exams. The CPEA comprises two main parts: a School-Based Assessment (40% of the overall mark), which includes student portfolios, project work, book reviews, and writing samples; and an External Assessment (60% of the overall mark), featuring three 50-item multiple-choice examinations in Mathematics, Language Arts, and Integrated Science. Civic Literacy (Social Studies) is assessed only through the internal school-based component, not by an external paper. This practice bank provides comprehensive prep materials covering the primary exit exam curriculum for Mathematics, Language Arts, and Integrated Science.

Assessment

Continuous assessment classroom portfolios (40% of total score) and external multiple-choice examinations (60% of total score). The external exams consist of three multiple-choice papers (Mathematics, Language Arts, Integrated Science), with 50 questions each. Civic Literacy (Social Studies) is assessed internally only.

Time Limit

75 minutes per multiple-choice paper.

Passing Score

Used for secondary school placement, combining 60% from the external multiple-choice exams and 40% from continuous internal school-based assessments.

Exam Fee

Funded by participating Caribbean territory governments (no direct student registration fee to CXC) (Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC))

CPEA Exam Content Outline

35%

Mathematics

Number concepts (place value, fractions, decimals, ratios, roman numerals), basic arithmetic operations, measurement (perimeter, area, time, money), geometry (2D/3D shapes, angles), and data management (graphs, averages).

35%

Language Arts

Grammar, sentence structure, spelling, punctuation, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and identifying literary devices.

30%

Integrated Science

Classification of plants/animals, life cycles, ecosystems, environmental protection, human body structures, weather, basic energy, and the solar system.

How to Pass the CPEA Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Used for secondary school placement, combining 60% from the external multiple-choice exams and 40% from continuous internal school-based assessments.
  • Assessment: Continuous assessment classroom portfolios (40% of total score) and external multiple-choice examinations (60% of total score). The external exams consist of three multiple-choice papers (Mathematics, Language Arts, Integrated Science), with 50 questions each. Civic Literacy (Social Studies) is assessed internally only.
  • Time limit: 75 minutes per multiple-choice paper.
  • Exam fee: Funded by participating Caribbean territory governments (no direct student registration fee to CXC)

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CPEA Study Tips from Top Performers

1For Mathematics, write down each step of your calculations and check your work, particularly when dealing with decimals and fractions.
2In Language Arts, read the comprehension passages carefully, focusing on the main idea of each paragraph and analyzing literary devices.
3For Integrated Science, make sure you understand life cycles, food chains, human body systems, and basic energy concepts.
4Manage your time carefully during practice: aim for about 1.5 minutes per question so you have time to review at the end.
5Work through practice questions to build familiarity with multiple-choice structures and eliminate options you know are incorrect.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the structure of the CPEA exam?

The CPEA consists of a school-based continuous assessment portfolio (40% of the total score) and an external examination (60% of the total score). The external exam comprises three multiple-choice papers: Mathematics, Language Arts, and Integrated Science. Civic Literacy (Social Studies) is assessed only through the internal school-based component.

How many questions are on each CPEA paper and how long do they take?

Each external subject paper consists of 50 multiple-choice questions, and students are given 1 hour and 15 minutes (75 minutes) to complete each paper.

Who is eligible to sit the CPEA?

Primary school Grade 6 students who are typically 11 to 12 years old and registered in participating Caribbean countries are eligible to take the assessment.

What are the fees for CPEA?

The CPEA is funded by the governments of participating Caribbean territories, meaning there is no direct registration fee charged to students or parents by CXC.

How are CPEA scores used?

CPEA scores are used by ministries of education to place primary school graduates into secondary schools based on their performance and preference.