KNEC Releases Guidelines for Junior School Summative Assessments

KNEC Releases KJSEA and KPLEA Guidelines

Schools should access sample papers on the KNEC portal to help learners prepare for the first-ever national summative assessments under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).

Summative Assessments Overview

• KJSEA: For learners following the age-based curriculum (regular learners).
• KPLEA: For Special Needs learners under the Stage-Based Curriculum.

These assessments will determine learners’ interests, abilities and readiness for the next education level.

• KJSEA results will guide placements in Senior School pathways (Grades 10–12).
• KPLEA results will assess readiness to transition from Pre-Vocational to Vocational Level.

KJSEA Exam Structure

The KJSEA national summative assessment, to be held in October–November 2025, will have 12 subjects with new paper codes:

1. English (901)
2. Kiswahili (902)
3. Mathematics (903)
4. Kenya Sign Language (904)
5. Integrated Science (905)
6. Agriculture (906)
7. Social Studies (907)
8. Christian Religious Education (908)
9. Islamic Religious Education (909)
10. Hindu Religious Education (910)
11. Creative Arts and Sports (911)
12. Pre-Technical Studies (912)

The exam format will be:

• Written assessments (short structured questions, essays, multiple-choice questions)
• Performance tasks
• Practical assessments

Grade 9 Grading System

Following the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms (PWPER) recommendations, Grade 9 will be graded as follows:

• 20% Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA)
• 20% School-Based Assessment (SBA) for Grades 7 & 8
• 60% Summative Assessment at Grade 9

KNEC will adopt an 8-point Achievement Level (AL) grading system, expanding from the previous 4-point rubric. The new grading scale is:

• AL 8 (90-99 marks) – 8 points
• AL 7 (75-89 marks) – 7 points
• AL 6 (58-74 marks) – 6 points
• AL 5 (41-57 marks) – 5 points
• AL 4 (31-40 marks) – 4 points
• AL 3 (21-30 marks) – 3 points
• AL 2 (11-20 marks) – 2 points
• AL 1 (1-10 marks) – 1 point

Timetable for KJSEA (Grade 9) Assessments

• Creative Arts and Sports Project (911/1): May–July 2025
• Pre-Technical Studies Project (912/2): July 2025
• Exams begin: October 27, 2025
• Exams end: November 5, 2025

Exam Dates:

• October 27: English (901/1, 901/2)
• October 28: Mathematics (903), Agriculture & Nutrition (906/2)
• October 29: Kiswahili (902/1, 902/2), Kenya Sign Language (904/1, 904/2)
• October 30: Integrated Science (905/1), Pre-Technical Studies (912/1)
• October 31: Integrated Science Practical (905/2)
• November 3: Agriculture & Nutrition (906/1), Creative Arts & Sports (911/2)
• November 4: Social Studies (907), Religious Education (CRE 908, IRE 909, HRE 910)
• November 5: Agriculture & Nutrition Practical (906/2)

KPLEA (Special Needs Learners) Timetable

Learners with cerebral palsy, autism, deaf-blindness and multiple disabilities following the Stage-Based Pathway will take five performance-based assessments.

Exam Dates:

• October 27: Picture Making, Paper Craft, Pattern Making, Communication & Literacy
• October 28: Woodwork, Sculpture, Physical Education, Music & Movement
• October 29: Concrete Work, Leather Craft, Hairdressing, Social Studies
• October 30: Home Care, Farming Skills, Weaving, Nutrition, Religious Education