Education officials in Antigua and Barbuda are holding back on naming this year’s top CSEC performer, with at least four students currently contesting their grades.

Dr Myrick Smith, the local registrar for the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), said the decision was taken to avoid any embarrassment should queries lead to changes in the rankings.

One candidate sat 20 subjects, earning 17 grade ones, two grade twos and a grade three. Another completed 22 subjects, with 16 grade ones, five grade twos and one grade three — but has queried six of those results. Two other students with 21 subjects each have also requested reviews of their grades.

“The situation is as follows: we would have announced a top student, but subsequent results could show that somebody topped that result,” Dr Smith explained, noting that results could shift depending on the outcome of the queries.

Students have until 15 September to file queries with CXC. The review process may take several weeks.

Officials say the announcement of Antigua and Barbuda’s top student will be made only after the queries are resolved, likely by late September or early October.