Kenya’s Competency-Based Education uses a 2-6-3-3 structure: two years of pre-primary, six of primary (Grades 1–6), three of Junior School (Grades 7–9) and three of Senior School (Grades 10–12). On CBC Guides we focus on the six years that matter most for senior school placement, Grades 4 to 9. Choose your child’s grade below.
Upper Primary: Grades 4–6
Eight learning areas and 35 lessons a week. School-based assessment in Grades 4, 5 and 6 makes up 60% of the KPSEA result, and the Grade 6 national papers make up 40%.
- Grade 4: the start of Upper Primary and of assessment that counts.
- Grade 5: the middle year, with deeper content and continued school-based assessment.
- Grade 6: KPSEA (26–28 October 2026) and the move to Junior School.
Junior School: Grades 7–9
Nine compulsory learning areas: English, Kiswahili/KSL, Mathematics, Integrated Science, Social Studies, Pre-Technical Studies, Agriculture and Nutrition, Religious Education, and Creative Arts and Sports. Public junior schools are funded by capitation and should not charge levies.
- Grade 7: new learning areas, and school-based assessment that counts towards placement.
- Grade 8: the last school-based assessment year, and early thinking about pathways.
- Grade 9: KJSEA (26–30 October 2026), pathway and school choices, with a guide to each learning area.
How the Years Add Up
The score used to place learners in senior school is built from three parts: KJSEA 60%, Grade 7–8 school-based assessment 20% and KPSEA 20%. Because KPSEA itself is mostly school-based assessment from Grades 4–6, work done as early as Grade 4 has a small but real effect on where your child goes after Grade 9. Read school-based assessment explained and senior school placement and pathways.
Where to Start
If your child is in Grade 9 this year, start with KJSEA explained. If you are comparing the new system with the one you went through, read CBC vs 8-4-4. For costs at each stage, see our fees hub.