Grade 10 Learners Sit First KNEC School-Based Assessment Tests

The first group of Grade 10 learners under Kenya’s Competency-Based Education system has begun sitting written assessments that will contribute to their final school results.

The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has released the Grade 10 School-Based Assessment (SBA) tests as senior schools approach the end of the third term.

The assessments mark an important stage for the pioneer CBC cohort, as their performance in the tests will begin contributing to their eventual Kenya Certificate of Basic Education (KCBE) grade.

Schools Given Instructions by KNEC

The assessment materials have been made available through the KNEC Competency-Based Assessment (CBA) portal.

Schools are required to access the materials, administer the tests to Grade 10 learners and upload the resulting scores through the prescribed system.

The Council has also set a deadline of October 23, 2026, for schools to complete the process and upload the learners' SBA scores.

The tests are being conducted as schools prepare to close for the third term, with some institutions expected to begin their end-of-year closure as early as next week.

KNEC Sets Out Assessment Guidelines

The examination process is being conducted under instructions issued by KNEC earlier in the year.

In a circular dated August 14, 2026, KNEC Chief Executive Officer David Njeng’ere provided schools with guidelines on how the Grade 10 written assessments should be administered.

The circular, referenced KNEC/GEN/TD/SE/G10 SBA/GUI/2026/02, outlined the requirements and schedule for the 2026 Grade 10 SBA written tests.

Schools are expected to follow the instructions when downloading, administering and recording the assessment results.

Why the Tests Matter

The Grade 10 assessments are significant because the learners are the first cohort to move through the senior school stage under the new competency-based system.

Unlike the previous education system, CBC and CBE place greater emphasis on assessing what learners can do and apply rather than relying entirely on traditional examinations.

The SBA process is therefore expected to provide information about learners' progress as they continue through senior school.

The results will form part of the wider assessment framework used to determine learners' final KCBE outcomes.

Deadline Approaches as Schools Prepare to Close

With the third term coming to an end, schools have a limited period to complete the assessment process.

School administrators and teachers will therefore need to ensure that the tests are properly administered and that the scores are uploaded before the October 23 deadline.

The exercise also gives KNEC an opportunity to gather assessment data from the pioneer Grade 10 cohort as the country continues adjusting to the new education system.

For learners, the tests represent another important step in the transition from junior school to senior school and the eventual completion of basic education.