KUCCPS EXPLAINER: CLUSTERS AND CUT-OFF POINTS

What is a subject cluster?

A subject cluster is a set of four KCSE subjects that a candidate must have sat to be eligible for a given Degree programme. For example, the cluster subjects for Bachelor of Law (LLB) is English or Kiswahili (compulsory) and three best-performed subjects among the rest. For medical courses, the cluster subjects are Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics, and English or Kiswahili.

What is a programme cluster?

All Degree programmes that require the same set of four subjects is assigned to a cluster. (A list of Degree programme clusters is available on the KUCCPS Student’s Portal students.kuccps.net under Downloads.)

What is a cluster weight?

This is the ranking of a student’s performance in a specific subject cluster against all other candidates in the given year of KCSE. It is based on cluster subject requirements and the overall performance of a candidate.

What are cut-off points?

A cut-off point for a Degree programme is the cluster weight of the last applicant who was placed the programme by merit. Cut-off points are determined by the performance of the applicants for a degree course and the number of students a university can admit for the course. During application processing, the applicants are arranged in a descending order (highest cluster weight to lowest cluster weight).

The applicants take up the slots in that order until the last student is placed. The cluster weight of the last student placed becomes the cut-off point for that programme for the KCSE year. The process is automated and KUCCPS does not predetermine cut-off points.