The Trinidad and Tobago education system consists of several levels, including preschool, primary, secondary, and tertiary education. Education is compulsory for children aged 5 to 12 years, and the primary level lasts for seven years. Students take the Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) exam at the end of primary school to determine placement in secondary schools. Secondary education typically lasts for five years, culminating in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations. After secondary school, students can pursue further studies at tertiary institutions such as universities and colleges, which offer a range of vocational and academic programs.