Corporate Profile
Discover our rich heritage, unwavering commitment to excellence, and the comprehensive examination services that have served Jamaica for over 135 years.
Overseas Examinations Commission
The Overseas Examinations Commission (OEC), established by an Act of Parliament in 2005, stands as a public entity under the Ministry of Education and Youth in Jamaica. Its establishment represents the evolutionary journey of its predecessor entities, which dates back to as early as 1887. For over 135 years, the OEC has been in service to the Government and people of Jamaica, acting as a Proctoring (Supervisory) Body for many Overseas Examining Boards for Secondary and Tertiary Level Education.
Our Impact
Over more than a century of service, we have established ourselves as a trusted partner in Jamaica's educational landscape.
Our Strategic Mission
To efficiently and effectively administer and facilitate access to examinations while providing the relevant support services needed to meet customer needs, coupled with an unwavering commitment to upholding the utmost level of integrity.
Examination Services
We administer a comprehensive range of examinations, from secondary education to professional certifications, serving diverse educational and career pathways.
Paper-Based Examinations
Secondary Education: Cambridge Assessment International Education (formerly GCE), Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC)
Medical: MRCP (UK) – Federation of Royal Colleges of Physicians, MRCS – Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, FRCS – Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow
Higher Education: University of London (UOL), Heriot Watt University
Computer-Based Examinations
Pearson VUE Platform: Microsoft, CIMA, CISCO, COMPTIA, GMAT, Nursing and Midwifery Council, Project Management Institute (PMI), and over 70 other certifying bodies
Professional Accounting: ACCA – Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, AAT – Association of Accounting Technicians
Kryterion Platform: IAAP, IAPP, Software Engineering Institute (SEI), and over 70 other certifying bodies
Specialized Examinations
NEXTEC – PSI & Castle: Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS), ISACA, AWS examinations
Vocational Training: NCTVET examinations through partnership with HEART/NSTA Trust
Language Testing: IELTS examinations as a British Council Point Testing Partner
Our Journey
Key milestones in our evolution from a colonial examination office to a modern, internationally recognized testing center.
Foundation
Establishment of predecessor entities, beginning our long history of examination services in Jamaica.
Act of Parliament
The Overseas Examinations Commission was officially established by an Act of Parliament as a public entity.
Statutory Board Status
The OEC became a Statutory Board of Government, enhancing its operational independence and authority.
130 Years Celebration
Celebrated 130 years of continuous service to the people of Jamaica, marking our enduring commitment to education.
HEART/NSTA Partnership
Signed Memorandum of Understanding with HEART/NSTA Trust to administer NCTVET examinations.
IELTS Partnership
Approved by the British Council as a Point Testing Partner for IELTS, meeting global standards for test centers.
Financial Independence
The OEC, like its predecessors, receives no subvention or any other type of financial assistance from the Government of Jamaica. We finance our operations through various revenue streams, demonstrating our commitment to self-sustainability and efficient resource management.
Examination Fees
Examination Materials
Transcript Services
Result Certification
Training Seminars
Venue Rentals
Document Imaging
Honoring Our Legacy
The memory of the Founding Fathers should be treasured for their spirit of voluntarism and the vision that laid the foundation for the successful operations of the Commission as we know it today. The OEC has proven to be an invaluable source of employment to a cadre of supervisors and invigilators, while earning a sound international reputation for administering examinations with integrity and excellence.