Best PEP Preparation Books & Online Resources (2025 Update)
Preparing for PEP can feel overwhelming, especially when parents are unsure which books or resources actually help students improve. With so many options in bookstores, online shops, and digital platforms, it’s important to choose materials that match the PEP syllabus, build reasoning skills, and give your child real exam practice.
This guide highlights the best PEP preparation books and online resources for 2025, explains why they work, and offers practical tips for using them effectively at home.
What Makes a Good PEP Resource?
Before jumping into the recommendations, it helps to understand what makes a resource genuinely useful.
The best PEP books and online tools should:
Follow the National Standards Curriculum (NSC)
Include practice questions similar to the PEP format
Strengthen reasoning and application skills
Provide clear explanations, not just answers
Offer strategies for answering different types of questions
Help build confidence, not pressure
PEP is not just about memorisation it’s about thinking. The right materials help students practise both content and reasoning.
Best PEP Preparation Books for 2025
Here are the most widely trusted and effective PEP preparation books available in Jamaica.
1. Carlong PEP Books Series
The Carlong series is one of the most popular choices among teachers and parents.
It includes:
PEP Practice Tests
PEP Workbooks for major subjects
PEP Performance Task books
PEP Ability Test preparation books
Why parents like it:
Follows the Jamaican curriculum closely
Offers full-length practice tests
Clear instructions and explanations
Helps students get used to exam-style questions
Carlong is a great foundation resource for most children.
2. Integrated Studies PEP Books
These books combine content from multiple subjects and emphasise skills integration, which is a major focus of the PEP.
What they’re helpful for:
Performance Tasks
Real-life application questions
Multi-step problem-solving
These are ideal for students who need to strengthen understanding across subjects.
3. GSAT to PEP Transition Books
Some publishers offer “bridge” books designed for students who are transitioning from GSAT-style learning into PEP’s more analytical approach.
These books help students:
Shift from memorisation to critical thinking
Practise reasoning-based questions
Build test stamina
They are especially helpful for children who struggle with open-ended questions.
4. PEP Ability Test Practice Books
These are essential because the Ability Test is one of the most challenging components — especially since it doesn’t come directly from content taught in the classroom.
Good Ability Test books include:
Verbal reasoning drills
Quantitative reasoning questions
Pattern and logic puzzles
Explanations for answers
Strong reasoning books help children stay calm in unfamiliar-style questions.
5. Publisher-Specific Subject Workbooks
There are several publishers producing workbooks for:
Maths
Language Arts
Science
Social Studies
These books are helpful for reinforcing content and reviewing weak areas.
Best used for:
Daily homework practice
Topic-by-topic revision
Building foundational skills
Best Online PEP Resources for 2025
Digital tools are becoming increasingly valuable because they offer interactive practice, immediate feedback, and flexibility for busy families.
Here are the top online resources parents can explore.
1. Ministry of Education Website (MOEYI)
The Ministry provides:
Sample PEP questions
Past booklets
Curriculum guides
Official updates
This is the most reliable place for official material.
2. YouTube Educational Channels
Several Jamaican teachers and tutors share:
PEP reasoning strategies
Maths tutorials
Explanation videos for problem-solving
Guided reading practice
This works well for visual learners who benefit from seeing solutions step-by-step.
3. Online PEP Practice Platforms
These platforms offer:
Interactive questions
Timed practice
Topic-specific drills
Ability Test challenges
Progress tracking
They help students become familiar with adaptive learning and timed assessment.
4. Digital Past Paper Collections
Many parents now use downloadable past papers from reputable educational sites.
These are helpful because:
They show children the style of questions
They help build time management
They give insight into common weaknesses
They allow you to simulate exam conditions at home
Past papers remain one of the strongest tools for PEP preparation.
How to Use PEP Books and Online Resources Effectively
Not all resources need to be used every day — the key is using them strategically. Here’s how parents can help their child get the most from each type of material.
1. Start With the Syllabus
Before choosing any book, make sure it matches the current PEP syllabus.
If a book doesn’t follow the National Standards Curriculum, it may include outdated content.
2. Use a Mix of Books and Digital Tools
Books help with deep practice, while online tools help with speed, reasoning, and confidence.
A good mix keeps students engaged.
3. Practise a Little Each Day
PEP preparation is most effective when done consistently.
Even 20–30 minutes a day can make a large difference by:
Building routine
Strengthening weak areas
Keeping knowledge fresh
4. Don’t Rely on One Resource Alone
A single book cannot prepare a child for every PEP component.
Use:
One main workbook
One reasoning/Ability Test resource
One set of past papers
A digital platform for reinforcement
5. Review Wrong Answers Together
Children learn the most from their mistakes.
Ask your child:
“Why do you think this answer is wrong?”
“What is the question really asking?”
“How would you solve it next time?”
This builds deeper thinking skills.
Signs You’re Using the Right Resources
Parents often ask how they’ll know if a resource is helping.
You’ll see improvements when your child:
Understands questions more easily
Makes fewer repeated mistakes
Gains confidence in reasoning tasks
Works faster without rushing
Shows interest instead of frustration
If a resource isn’t producing these signs, it may not be the right fit for your child.
Frequently Asked Questions About PEP Study Resources
1. How many books should my child use?
Two or three strong resources are usually enough, quality matters more than quantity.
2. Are past papers still useful even though PEP is new?
Yes. While questions have changed, past-style practice helps with timing and stamina.
3. Should we buy every book the school recommends?
Buy what is necessary for your child’s learning needs, not everything on the list.
4. How much time should we spend using online tools?
20–25 minutes a day is ideal to build confidence without screen fatigue.
5. What if my child finds the Ability Test very difficult?
Start with easier reasoning drills and gradually increase difficulty. Confidence builds over time.
The best PEP study plan combines high-quality books, practical online resources, and steady, supportive routines at home. Children prepare most effectively when they have the right tools, a clear structure, and encouragement along the way.
By choosing resources that match the PEP syllabus and practising consistently, you’re giving your child the strongest foundation for success, not just in the exam, but in the transition to secondary school.
