Kenya: KCSE and the competency-based curriculum

Key facts

• Kenya is moving to a 2-6-3-3-3 structure under the competency-based curriculum: six years of secondary, three in junior school and three in senior school. (Source: UNESCO International Institute for Capacity Building in Africa)
• KNEC's 2026 notices cover both the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) and the new assessments: the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) at Grade 9 and competency-based assessment in senior school, starting with Grade 10. (Source: Kenya National Examinations Council)
• KUCCPS places students on government-sponsored degree programmes using KCSE cluster subjects and published cut-offs. (Source: Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service)

Not yet published: KCSE grade scale and cluster-point formula: not yet confirmed from a KNEC or KUCCPS document.

How universities use it

How admission works in Kenya →

Applying in another country

The country where you apply decides how these results count. Official routes we have confirmed:

• Uganda: Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB): equating of foreign results
• South Africa: Universities South Africa (USAf) Matriculation Board: exemption certificates
• Nigeria: Federal Ministry of Education
• United Kingdom: Universities, through UCAS

Details for each country →