The SEA tests students on three areas: Language Arts, which includes Spelling, Grammar, and Punctuation and Capitalization and Comprehension,and a Graphic Task 6, Mathematics, and Creative Writing.
The themes chosen usually reflect some aspect of Caribbean life, such as picking fruit or apologizing to a neighbor for a broken window.
Leading towards the exam, most students will prepare via Practice Tests and Past Papers from previous years; these are usually sold by private organizations; Local newspapers also regularly offer free tests on set days.
As of 2010, a free to use website has been available for all students within Trinidad and Tobago; pennacool.com offers exercises for 24 Topics in both Mathematics and Language Arts.
The precursor to the SEA, the Common Entrance exam, was multiple choice and tested a wider range of subjects.