Council Outlines Formative and Summative Framework for Senior Schools
NAIROBI, Kenya — The pioneer class of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) is reaching its final peak, and the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) is officially laying the tracks.
In a comprehensive circular released by CEO David Njengere, the council has detailed the rollout of Competency-Based Assessment (CBA) for Senior Schools, signaling a major shift in how Kenyan students will be evaluated for the Kenya Certificate of Basic Education (KCBE).
From digital registration hubs to a “long-game” tracking system that started in Grade 3, here is everything you need to know about the new Senior School assessment landscape.
1. The Digital Passport: One Number to Rule Them All
Gone are the days of multiple index numbers. KNEC has emphasized that Grade 10 learners will be registered using the Assessment Number they first acquired in Grade 3.
This unique identifier will act as a digital “DNA,” tracking a student’s academic progress through the entire 12-year basic education cycle.
- Registration Window: The portal for Senior School Assessment Centres opened on May 7, 2026, and will close on May 22, 2026.
- The KJSEA Requirement: To register, every Grade 10 learner must present their KJSEA Performance Report, stamped by their former Junior School.
2. The 15-15-70 Formula: How You’ll Be Graded
The most significant change for parents and students is the breakdown of the final grade.
The high-pressure, “one-off” exam at the end of Grade 12 is being replaced by a cumulative score.
Your final KCBE grade will be a cocktail of three years of work:
| Grade Level | Type of Assessment | Contribution to Final Mark |
| Grade 10 | School-Based Assessment (SBA) | 15% |
| Grade 11 | School-Based Assessment (SBA) | 15% |
| Grade 12 | Summative Assessment | 70% |
Note: This means the journey to a university placement begins the moment a student steps into Grade 10. Every project, practical, and written test now carries weight.
3. The Grade 10 Timeline: Projects and Practicals
For the current Grade 10 cohort, the work begins immediately. KNEC has outlined a strict schedule for the 2026 School-Based Assessments:
- May to September 2026: Schools will administer projects and practicals.
- Term III (Ending Oct 15, 2026): Students will sit for their written tests.
All scores must be uploaded promptly to the KNEC Senior School portal, with teachers required to keep physical evidence of the learners’ work for verification.
4. Empowering the “Captains”: Teacher Training
KNEC isn’t leaving teachers in the dark. To ensure the CBA is implemented correctly, an online self-paced training portal (Learning Management System) has been established.
Senior School teachers are expected to visit cbalms.knec.ac.ke to acquire the requisite skills for scoring and conducting these new-age assessments.
5. Looking Ahead: The 2027 Pilot
While the pioneer cohort navigates Grade 10, KNEC is already looking at the horizon.
The council announced that piloting of the Senior School summative assessment will take place in 2027, when these students reach Grade 11.
This “dry run” will ensure that by the time the final Grade 12 exams roll around, the system is watertight.
The Final Verdict
The transition to Senior School marks the final stretch of the CBC journey. With 30% of the final mark coming from internal school assessments, the focus shifts from “cramming for the exam” to “demonstrating competency” over time.
As CEO David Njengere noted, these measures ensure that assessment is perfectly aligned with the broader goals of Competency-Based Education—producing graduates who are not just “book smart,” but “skilled and ready.”
Principals and parents, take note: The portal is open. It’s time to get these pioneers registered!
For more details and to access the CBA Framework for Senior School (CBAF-SS), visit the official website at www.knec.ac.ke.