A total of 39,129 students are registered to sit the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) in 1,090 centres across the island this week, an increase of 659 over last year, the education ministry has said.

The number of male students confirmed is 18,875, while the number of females is 20,254. Among the candidates sitting the examination are approximately 400 students with special needs, for whom the ministry is providing special accommodation, including additional time, prompters, readers, writers, large print and breaks at intervals.

Mathematics and social studies will be sat on Thursday, while language arts, communication task and science will be done on Friday.

“Schools are to remain open during the staging of the examination, with closure recommended only if there are severe challenges with space, convenience and suitability of rooms and appropriate seating for the administering of the examination. In such cases school administrators are required to advise the ministry’s regional office in advance,” Chief Education Officer Dr Grace McLean has said.

In a release to the media, the ministry issued the following advice to parents of students sitting the GSAT:

1. Remain calm and encourage the child to stay calm;

2. Support, rather than pressure the children/students;

3. Ensure that children/students go to bed early the night before the exam to ensure a good night’s rest;

4. Make plans for children/students to have a nutritious breakfast and a snack during the two days of the examination;

5. Ensure that children/students arrive at the examination centre early;

6. Ensure children/students gather materials needed for the examination from the previous night to avoid searching for things on the morning of the exam, as searching can cause student/child to become flustered.

It also listed telephone hotline numbers for quick and easy access to information:

Region 1

(Kingston and St Andrew)

612-5920/612-5918/948-9801

Region 2

(Portland, St Thomas and St Mary)

993-5586

Region 3

(Trelawny and St Ann)

917-7849

Region 4

(St James, Hanover and Westmoreland)

979-8590

Region 5

(St Elizabeth and Manchester)

625-7859

Region 6

(Clarendon and St Catherine)

745-1153/983-1654-5

Student Assessment Unit

948-9281/922-5680

Chief Education Officer

948-8715

Deputy Chief Education Officer — 948-9619