KNEC Announces Grade 10 Assessment Starting Term One

KNEC Announces 2026 Grade 10 School-Based Assessments

The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has officially announced that the administration of the 2026 Grade 10 School-Based Assessments (SBAs) will begin shortly after new learners have settled into their schools. This announcement was made on January 9, 2026, by KNEC CEO David Njengere.

According to Njengere, the 2026 Grade 10 SBAs will include a combination of projects, practical work, and written tests. He emphasized that this approach aims to evaluate students’ understanding and application of knowledge in real-world scenarios.

For students following the Arts and Sports Science pathway, KNEC has confirmed that Fine Arts coursework will start immediately once learning begins in January 2026. To ensure smooth implementation, KNEC is actively engaging Fine Art teachers across the country to prepare them for delivering and assessing the coursework as required.

“This is an important step, especially for learners in specialized pathways,” said Njengere. “It highlights the increased focus on practical and creative subjects under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) framework.”

KNEC has also stressed the importance of uploading all scores to its database to prevent any disadvantages for learners at the end of the assessment cycle. The council warned that failure to upload scores could negatively impact students’ results.

This directive applies not only to Grade 10 but also to Primary and Junior School assessments, reinforcing KNEC’s commitment to proper data management and accountability.

Structure of Grade 10 SBAs

Grade 10 SBAs are designed to provide learners with opportunities to demonstrate their abilities beyond traditional written exams. The assessments consist of the following components:

• Projects: These tasks are aimed at evaluating learners’ understanding and application of knowledge in real-life situations.
• Practicals: These hands-on activities, typically in science and technical subjects, are used to assess skill competency.
• Written Tests: These include both short and long-form tests to evaluate learners’ understanding, problem-solving skills, and theoretical knowledge.

Arts and Sports Science Pathway

For students pursuing the Arts and Sports Science pathway, the introduction of Fine Arts coursework marks a significant shift in the curriculum. KNEC has ensured that all necessary preparations are underway, including training for Fine Art teachers nationwide.

Njengere also mentioned that all other projects and practicals will be administered between May and July 2026, while the written test will take place in October 2026.

Impact on Senior School Reporting

The cumulative data collected from formative assessments in Grades 10, 11, and 12 will play a crucial role in reporting at the end of Senior School. Learners will receive their Kenya Certificate of Basic Education (KCBE) results based on this data.

Additional Information

KNEC has also announced free CBC training courses for all senior school teachers. This initiative aims to support educators in adapting to the new curriculum framework.

Furthermore, schools have been directed to upload all SBA scores to the KNEC database. This measure ensures transparency and accuracy in the assessment process.