Under CBC there is no single “final exam” like KCPE. Instead, a child’s results build up over several years through classroom tasks and two national assessments run by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC). This page explains each one and links to our detailed guides. Dates are as of October 2026.
The Three Kinds of Assessment
| Assessment | When | What it counts for |
|---|---|---|
| School-based assessment (SBA) | Grades 4–8, KNEC tasks done in school (2026 window: 28 September–23 October for Grades 4, 5, 7 and 8) | 60% of KPSEA (Grades 4–6); 20% of senior school placement (Grades 7–8) |
| KPSEA | End of Grade 6 (26–28 October 2026) | 40% of KPSEA is these papers; KPSEA counts 20% towards senior school placement |
| KJSEA | End of Grade 9 (26–30 October 2026) | 60% of the senior school placement score |
How Results Are Reported
CBC reports performance in four bands: Exceeding, Meeting, Approaching and Below Expectation. For KJSEA, each band is split in two to give an 8-point scale, from EE1 (8 points) down to BE2 (1 point). KNEC gives no mean grade or overall rank. See how CBC grading works.
Is It Still Possible to “Fail”?
No. Neither KPSEA nor KJSEA is a pass-or-fail exam, and every learner moves on to the next level. Results do decide which senior school and pathway a learner is placed in, so they matter. For a comparison with KCPE and KCSE, read CBC vs 8-4-4. Note that KCSE continues for the remaining 8-4-4 cohorts in 2026 and 2027.
Helping Your Child Through Assessment Season
- Know the dates. Use the KJSEA 2026 timetable, and check with the school for school-based assessment dates.
- Avoid absences during assessment windows. A missed school-based task can leave a gap in the record.
- Keep revision calm and steady. See how to help your child revise for KJSEA.
- Keep every result slip safely. They are needed for placement, scholarships and transfers.