KNEC Releases Grade 10 Term 3 Written Assessment Guidelines for 2026

KNEC Releases Grade 10 Term 3 Written Assessment Guidelines for 2026

The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has released guidelines for the 2026 Grade 10 School-Based Assessment (SBA) written tests, giving schools clear instructions on the administration, scoring and submission of learner results.

The guidelines were issued through a circular dated August 14, 2026, as the pioneer Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) cohort continues with its transition into senior school.

The written assessments form part of the broader Grade 10 assessment framework, which also includes projects and practical activities. While projects and practical assessments were undertaken during Term II, the written tests will be administered during Term III.

Grade 10 Written Tests Start in October

According to the KNEC guidelines, assessment tools for the different subjects will become available on the KNEC Competency-Based Assessment (CBA) portal on October 5, 2026.

Schools will then have until October 23, 2026 to complete the assessment process, including administration, scoring and uploading learner results.

The assessment covers subjects in three major learning areas: STEM, Social Sciences, and Arts and Sports.

STEM Subjects

The STEM cluster includes:

– Core Mathematics

– Essential Mathematics

– Chemistry

– Physics

– Biology

– Computer Studies

– Home Science

– Agriculture

– Electricity

Social Sciences

The Social Sciences cluster covers:

– Christian Religious Education (CRE)

– Hindu Religious Education (HRE)

– Islamic Religious Education (IRE)

– Business Studies

– History and Citizenship

– Geography

Arts and Sports

The Arts and Sports category includes:

– Sports and Recreation

– Music and Dance

All the assessment tools are scheduled to be accessed from the portal on October 5, with October 23 being the deadline for uploading the results.

How Schools Will Access the Assessments

School principals will access the assessment materials through the official KNEC CBA portal using their institutional login credentials.

The system also uses one-time password (OTP) verification, with the code sent to the principal’s registered mobile phone number.

Schools experiencing login or password problems can use the portal’s password-reset option.

Principals will be responsible for downloading and securely keeping the assessment materials, overseeing their administration, supervising scoring and ensuring that learner results are uploaded within the required timeframe.

Subject teachers, meanwhile, will administer the assessments, invigilate learners, score the scripts using KNEC-approved guidelines and submit individual learner results through the portal.

Colour Printing

KNEC has also provided instructions on the reproduction of assessment materials.

Where an assessment contains colour diagrams, photographs, charts or other colour illustrations, schools are required to reproduce the materials in full colour to ensure learners receive the intended information.

Schools with suitable digital infrastructure may alternatively use approved digital learning devices to display the assessment materials.

KNEC User Manual

KNEC has made a detailed user manual available through the CBA portal to guide schools through the assessment process.

The manual covers important areas such as downloading assessment tools, administering the tests, applying scoring rubrics and entering learner results.

School administrators are encouraged to study the manual and prepare subject teachers before the October assessment window begins.

Schools are also expected to maintain proper records of learner scripts, assessment evidence and submitted results for purposes of verification and future reference.

How Grade 10 Assessment Will Contribute to KCBE

The Grade 10 SBA is an important component of the assessment system leading to the Kenya Certificate of Basic Education (KCBE).

Under the proposed weighting structure, Grade 10 School-Based Assessments will contribute 15 percent to a learner’s final KCBE grade. Grade 11 SBA will also contribute 15 percent, while the Grade 12 summative assessment will account for the remaining 70 percent.

This means that school-based assessment across Grades 10 and 11 will collectively contribute 30 percent of the final certification grade.

Schools Told to Prepare

With less than three weeks between the release of assessment tools and the final submission deadline, schools will need to prepare adequately.

Principals are expected to confirm that their CBA portal credentials are working, ensure their registered mobile numbers are active for OTP verification and prepare the necessary printing or digital equipment.

Schools should also brief teachers on the assessment procedures and ensure that departments understand the relevant scoring guidelines.

The Grade 10 written assessments represent another major step in Kenya’s transition to the CBC senior school assessment system. KNEC has indicated that piloting of the senior school summative KCBE assessment is scheduled for 2027 as the pioneer cohort progresses to Grade 11.