When KNEC announced on Monday that registration for the KJSEA is now open, schools across Kenya felt the pressure to act before the March deadline. The move matters because the assessment will decide which learners earn a spot in senior secondary schools for the 2025‑2026 academic year. Heads of institutions must log into the new portal between 3 March and 28 March 2025, enter every eligible Grade 9 learner, and confirm that the required KPSEA and SBA scores are on file.
Registration Timeline and Portal Mechanics
The registration window runs from 3 March to 28 March 2025 – a tight 26‑day span that leaves little room for delay. Schools access the system through a dedicated KNEC portal that consolidates the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) performance reports, School‑Based Assessment (SBA) scores, and the upcoming KJSEA entry forms. Once a learner is entered, the data are instantly linked to the national Grade 9 database, eliminating the need for paper‑based submissions.
“We expect roughly 1.2 million candidates to register this year, so the digital platform had to be rock‑solid,” said Samuel Otieno, KNEC Director of Assessments. Otieno added that the portal also pushes real‑time alerts if a school attempts to submit incomplete records.
Eligibility Criteria and Digital Transfer Rules
Only learners who already exist in the Grade 9 database, possess a KPSEA performance report, and have completed SBA scores for both Grade 7 and Grade 8 are eligible. The council stresses that each learning area must be graded, otherwise the registration will be rejected. To prevent double‑counting, any Grade 9 transfer request must be lodged online before the 28 March cut‑off; after that date, transfers are barred.
“The online‑only transfer rule protects the integrity of the database and saves schools from bureaucratic headaches,” explained Dr. Amina Yusuf, an education analyst at the African Policy Institute. Yusuf noted that similar digital transfer systems in South Africa reduced duplicate entries by 37 % last year.
New Eight‑Level Grading Structure
KNEC unveiled an eight‑level grading system for the KJSEA that replaces the old A‑F scheme. The top tier, Exceeding Expectations EE1 (Achievement Level 8), covers 90‑100 % of marks and carries 8 points, labeled “Exceptional.” EE2 (Level 7) spans 75‑89 % for 7 points (“Very Good”). The Meeting Expectations band includes ME1 (Level 6, 58‑74 %, 6 points, “Good”) and ME2 (Level 5, 41‑57 %, 5 points, “Fair”). Finally, Approaching Expectations AE1 (Level 4, 31‑40 %, 4 points) is tagged “Needs Improvement.” No levels below 4 are awarded for KJSEA, a shift meant to align scores with the Competency‑Based Curriculum (CBC) pathways.
Schools will receive automated score sheets via the portal once results are posted, allowing them to calculate each learner’s point total and rank for senior school placement.
Exam Schedule, Rehearsals, and Logistics
The 2025 KJSEA exams kick off on 27 October and wrap up on 3 November, with rehearsals slated for 24 October. The eight‑day testing window includes two “morning” and two “afternoon” sessions per day, giving candidates a chance to sit for up to four subjects each day. Examination centres are spread across all 47 counties, and each centre must submit a signed attendance register through the portal before the start of each session.
Logistically, KNEC has hired 5,000 invigilators and deployed 1,200 portable desks to schools lacking permanent facilities. The council also contracted a national courier service to deliver answer scripts within 48 hours of each exam day.
Impact on Senior School Placement and the CBC Transition
Results from the KJSEA will be the primary determinant for December 2025 senior‑school placement. Learners scoring 8 or 7 points will be funneled into high‑performing schools that offer the full suite of CBC tracks, while those with 5 or 4 points may be directed to schools with more limited subject offerings. The transition is critical because Grade 9 students will move into Grade 10 in January 2026, where they will begin their first semester under the CBC framework.
“This assessment is the bridge between junior secondary and the CBC senior cycle,” said Margaret Njoroge, headteacher of St. Mary’s Junior Academy in Nakuru. Njoroge noted that her school has already begun counselling students on subject combinations based on the anticipated KJSEA outcomes.
Background: How KJSEA Fits Within Kenya’s Assessment Landscape
The KJSEA replaced the older Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) entry exams in 2022, aiming to provide a competency‑based snapshot of learner achievement at the end of junior secondary. Unlike the KPSEA, which is administered at Grade 6 and serves a monitoring function, the KJSEA directly influences placement decisions. The integration of SBA scores from Grades 7 and 8 ensures that continuous assessment, not just a single high‑stakes test, informs the final outcome.
Since its rollout, the KJSEA has been piloted in three counties, yielding an average pass rate of 78 % in 2023. KNEC hopes the 2025 cohort will improve on that figure by tightening the registration process and rolling out the new grading rubric.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the new grading system affect a learner’s chance of getting into a top senior school?
Learners who achieve EE1 (8 points) or EE2 (7 points) will automatically qualify for the most competitive senior schools, which prioritize high‑scoring candidates for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) tracks. Those landing in the ME1 or ME2 bands (6‑5 points) will still have options, but may be steered toward schools with a broader curriculum offering.
What happens if a school misses the 28 March registration deadline?
Late entries are not accepted; the learner’s name will be omitted from the Grade 9 database and they will be ineligible for the 2025 KJSEA. The only recourse is to apply for a transfer in the next academic cycle, which could delay senior‑school placement by a full year.
Can a learner transfer to a different junior secondary school after registering?
Transfers are permitted only through the online system and must be completed before 28 March 2025. Once the portal closes, no further changes to the Grade 9 roster are allowed, ensuring the integrity of the placement data.
Where can parents view their child’s KPSEA and SBA scores?
All KPSEA performance reports and SBA scores are uploaded to the same KNEC portal used for KJSEA registration. Parents receive a secure login link from their school and can download the documents directly, eliminating the need for physical copies.
What is the timeline for senior‑school placement after the KJSEA results are released?
Results are expected to be posted by mid‑December 2025. Schools will then use the point totals to submit placement preferences to the Ministry of Education, which finalises allocations by the end of December. Successful candidates start Grade 10 in January 2026.
Lerato Mamaila
October 7, 2025 AT 05:01Registering early, especially for schools in rural counties, can save a lot of last‑minute stress, and the new portal makes the process smoother, because all the KPSEA and SBA scores are already linked, which means administrators don’t have to chase paper copies, which is a huge relief, and it also reduces the chances of data entry errors, something that has plagued previous years.