The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has released guidelines and timelines for the administration of the 2026 Grade 10 School-Based Assessment (SBA).
The assessment will form part of the ongoing implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), as schools prepare learners for their final assessments of the 2026 academic year.
According to a circular issued by KNEC, assessment materials for Grade 10 will be made available to schools through the Competency-Based Assessment (CBA) portal from October 5, 2026.
Schools will then be required to administer the assessments, score the learners and upload the results to the portal by October 23, 2026.
“Schools will be expected to administer the assessment tools and performance tasks, score and upload the assessment outcomes of all learners on the CBA portal within the stipulated timeframe,” KNEC stated.
How schools will access the assessment materials
KNEC has directed school principals to access the CBA portal using their official school credentials.
Once they log in, the system will send a one-time password (OTP) to the registered mobile phone number for verification.
School heads will be responsible for downloading the assessment materials, while subject teachers will administer the tests, mark the scripts and submit the learners’ scores through the portal.
The council has also directed schools to ensure that assessment materials containing colour images are either printed in colour or accessed digitally using devices available in the schools.
Schools have further been instructed to retain records and supporting evidence generated throughout the assessment process.
The Grade 10 assessments will cover subjects across the STEM, Social Sciences, and Arts and Sports pathways.
They include Mathematics, Sciences, Business Studies, Geography, History and Citizenship, Music and Dance, and Sports and Recreation.
Other grades to undertake assessments
KNEC has also released separate arrangements for School-Based Assessments targeting learners in Grades 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8, as well as learners under the Stage-Based Curriculum.
Materials for these assessments will become available from September 28, with schools required to complete the submission of scores by October 23.
Grade 3 learners will undertake assessments in Mathematics and English, while Grades 4 and 5 will be assessed in subjects including Mathematics, English, Kiswahili, Kenyan Sign Language, Agriculture, Science and Technology, Social Studies, Religious Education and Creative Arts.
For Grades 7 and 8, the assessments will cover Mathematics, English, Kiswahili, Kenyan Sign Language, Social Studies, Religious Education, Integrated Science, Agriculture, Creative Arts and Sports, and Pre-Technical Studies.
Learners in the Special Needs Education Foundation Level will also receive assessment tools covering areas such as Activities of Daily Living, Communication, Social Skills and Pre-Literacy Skills.
The timelines come as schools begin the third term and prepare for the conclusion of the 2026 academic year.
