Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) Scoring and Grading System – 2025

KNEC releases KJSEA Grading System for Grade 9 Learners

The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has released the grading system for the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) which will be used to place Grade 9 learners in senior secondary schools as the first Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) cohort moves to Grade 10 in January 2026.

KJSEA Grading System

The KJSEA will be graded on an 8 level system based on performance with each achievement level having specific points. Here’s how it looks like:

Achievement Levels and Points

1. Exceeding Expectations (EE)
   • EE1 (AL 8): 90-100% = 8 points (Excellent)
   • EE2 (AL 7): 75-89% = 7 points (Very Good)
2. Meeting Expectations (ME)
   • ME1 (AL 6): 58-74% = 6 points (Good)
   • ME2 (AL 5): 41-57% = 5 points (Fair)
3. Approaching Expectations (AE)
   • AE1 (AL 4): 31-40% = 4 points (Needs Improvement)
   • AE2 (AL 3): 21-30% = 3 points (Below Average)
4. Below Expectations (BE)
   • BE1 (AL 2): 11-20% = 2 points (Well Below Average)
   • BE2 (AL 1): 1-10% = 1 point (Minimal)

KJSEA Composition for Final Placement in Senior Secondary Schools

The KJSEA which will take place from October 27 to November 3, 2025 will contribute to learners’ final placement in senior secondary school. Learners will start with rehearsals on October 24, 2025.

The final score for placement in senior secondary will be derived from a combination of the following assessments:

1. KJSEA (Junior): 60% of the final score * This will assess the learners’ competencies at the end of Grade 9.
2. SBA (School-Based Assessments): 20% of the final score
   • SBA outcomes from Grade 7 and Grade 8 will contribute to the final score.
3. KPSEA (Primary): 20% of the final score
   • The Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA), taken at the end of Grade 6, will also contribute.

The total final score will be:

• KJSEA 60% + SBA 20% + KPSEA 20% = 100% total score

Dates

• KJSEA Rehearsals: October 24, 2025
• KJSEA Testing Period: October 27 – November 3, 2025
• Senior Secondary Placement (Grade 10): January 2026

Conclusion

The KJSEA grading system will provide a holistic way of measuring a learner’s performance across different levels of education. With this new system, learners’ overall performance from Grade 6 to Grade 9 will be used to determine their placement in senior secondary schools under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).