The Kenya National Examinations Council, KNEC, has announces that Maths and 1 language and 5 other best performed subjects will be used by KNEC to compute the 2024 KCSE candidates’ grades in the new grading system. The new system is advantageous to candidates as it leads to an increase to the number of students joining university.
A Candidate must sit for at least 7 subjects which must include:
From Group I – All the three subjects of Code Numbers 101, 102 and either121 (option “A” )or 122 (option “B”)
From Group II – At least two subjects of Code Numbers 231, 232 , 233,236( Blind candidates) or 237 for option “B”
From Group III – At least one subject code of 311,312 or any one among 313/314/315
How to calculate KCSE Mean Grade using the old and new grading systems
Look at the performance below for a KCSE 2023 and beyond learner:
Subjects done 8:
- Mathematics: C+ (7 points)
- English: C plain (6 points)
- Kiswahili D plain (3 points)
- CRE: B+ plus (10 points)
- History: B plain (9 points)
- Agriculture: A- minus (11 points)
- Biology: C+ plus (7 points)
- Chemistry: C- minus (5 points).
Comparison of the grading systems
Grading as per the old system
| Chosen Subjects for Grading | Grade | Points |
| Mathematics (Compulsory) | C+ | 7 |
| English (Compulsory) | C | 6 |
| Kiswahili (Compulsory) | D | 3 |
| Biology (Copmulsory Science 1) | C+ | 7 |
| Chemistry (Compulsory Science 2) | C- | 5 |
| CRE (Mandatory Humanity) | B+ | 10 |
| Agriculture (Any Category) | A- | 11 |
| Totals | C+ (Plus) | 49 |
Grading as per the new system
| Chosen Subjects for Grading | Grade | Points |
| Mathematics (Compulsory) | C+ | 7 |
| English (Best Language) | C | 6 |
| Agriculture | A- | 11 |
| CRE | B+ | 10 |
| History | B | 9 |
| Biology | C+ | 7 |
| Chemistry | C- | 5 |
| Totals | B- (Minus) | 55 |
According to the new grading system, the student will get a B- (minus) of 55 points as opposed to the C+ (plus) of 49 points in the old KCSE Grading System.
