Kenya’s school calendar is set for another key assessment period after the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) announced September 28, 2026, as the date when school-based assessment materials will become available online. Schools will be expected to administer the tests, score learners and submit the results through the Competency-Based Assessment (CBA) Portal by October 23.
Highlights
- Assessment materials will be available from September 28, 2026.
- Schools have until October 23 to upload learners’ scores.
- Grades 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8 are included in the assessment schedule.
- SNE Foundation Level learners will undertake performance-based tasks.
- Schools must keep assessment records and supporting evidence.
Main Story
KNEC Sets September 28 Start Date
The Kenya National Examinations Council has released its guidelines for the 2026 school-based assessments, giving schools a clear timeline for accessing and administering the assessment materials.
According to the guidelines issued by KNEC Chief Executive Officer David Njengere, schools will access the required tools through the CBA Portal from September 28, 2026.
Once the materials are available, schools will be responsible for conducting the assessments, marking or scoring learners and submitting the results online.
The deadline for uploading the scores has been set for October 23, 2026.
Which Grades Are Included?
The assessment materials will cover learners in Grades 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8.
For Grade 3, the Kenya Early Years Assessment (KEYA) will be used, with written assessments covering Mathematics and English Activities.
Learners following the Stage-Based Curriculum under the SNE Foundation Level will instead complete performance tasks designed around their level of learning.
Grades 4 and 5 will sit written assessments across a wider range of subjects.
These include Mathematics, English, Kiswahili, Kenyan Sign Language, Agriculture, Science and Technology, Social Studies, Religious Education and Creative Arts.
What Grades 7 and 8 Will Take
Learners in Grades 7 and 8 will also undertake written assessments beginning September 28.
The assessment areas include Mathematics, English, Kiswahili, Kenyan Sign Language, Social Studies, Religious Education, Integrated Science, Agriculture, Creative Arts and Sports, as well as Pre-Technical Studies.
The assessment is part of the continued implementation of Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum and its approach to tracking learner progress beyond traditional examinations.
Schools Given Portal Instructions
Headteachers have been directed to access the assessment materials by logging into the CBA Portal.
Schools that cannot remember their passwords can use the portal’s password-reset option to regain access.
KNEC has also provided a user manual on the platform to guide schools through the process. The manual covers accessing assessment materials, administering the tests, applying scoring guides and submitting learners’ results.
Schools Must Keep Assessment Records
KNEC has placed responsibility on individual schools to ensure the assessments are properly administered and all learners’ outcomes are submitted within the set period.
Schools have also been instructed to print assessment materials containing colour images in colour. Where appropriate, the materials can instead be displayed or accessed using digital devices available at the school.
Headteachers must retain records and evidence produced during the assessment process for future reference.
With the September deadline approaching, schools will need to ensure their portal access, assessment resources and record-keeping systems are ready ahead of the exercise.
As schools prepare for the September assessment window, staying organised could make the difference between a smooth submission process and a last-minute scramble.
