KJSEA Grading and Points Explained: What EE1 to BE2 Mean for Grade 10

Updated 25 October 2026

Quick answer: The Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) grades each learning area on an eight-level scale. The top level is EE1, worth 8 points (90 to 100%), and the lowest is BE2, worth 1 point (1 to 10%). A Grade 9 learner is assessed in nine learning areas, so the highest possible total is 72 points. For Grade 10 placement, KJSEA counts for 60%, school-based assessments from Grades 7 and 8 count for 20%, and the Grade 6 KPSEA counts for 20%.

This guide uses the grading KNEC applied to the first KJSEA in 2025, as set out in its circular on the issuance of KJSEA results and explained by KNEC and the Ministry of Education when the results came out. The 2026 KJSEA runs from 26 to 30 October 2026 (see our KJSEA 2026 timetable). If KNEC changes the scale for 2026, its results circular will say so.

The KJSEA Grading Scale

Under the competency based curriculum, learners were used to four broad levels: Exceeding, Meeting, Approaching and Below Expectation. For KJSEA, KNEC split each of the four into two, creating eight achievement levels. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba described it this way when the 2025 results were released: point 8 is the best, at Exceeding Expectation 1, and point 1 is the lowest, at Below Expectation 2.

Source: KNEC circular on the issuance of KJSEA results and result slips (levels and points), and KNEC’s KJSEA grading guidance as reported by Education News (score bands).

What the Levels Mean in Plain Terms

• EE1 and EE2 (7 to 8 points): the learner is working above the expected standard for Grade 9 in that subject. These are the scores that make competitive schools and pathways realistic.
• ME1 and ME2 (5 to 6 points): the learner has met the Grade 9 standard. ME1 is a solid pass; ME2 shows the basics are in place with gaps.
• AE1 and AE2 (3 to 4 points): the learner is close to the standard but not there yet. Expect the senior school to offer extra support in that subject.
• BE1 and BE2 (1 to 2 points): the learner is well below the expected standard and needs targeted help.

The Nine Learning Areas That Are Graded

Each of these gets its own level and points on the result slip. Some include a project done earlier in the year, such as the Creative Arts and Sports project that ran from May to July.

How to Work Out Your Child’s Total

Add the points for all nine learning areas. Here’s an example result slip for a learner who did well in sciences and technical subjects:

This is an illustration, not a real learner. A total of 54 out of 72 averages 6 points a subject, which is the Meeting Expectation 1 band. A learner with EE1 in every learning area would score the full 72.

Remember that the 72-point total is only the KJSEA part. Placement also uses the learner’s Grade 7 and 8 school-based assessments and their KPSEA result, so two learners with the same KJSEA total can end up with different placement scores.

How KJSEA Feeds Into Grade 10 Placement

This 60/20/20 split comes from the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms and was confirmed by KNEC chief executive Dr David Njengere. He also made clear that repeating KJSEA won’t raise a learner’s score, unlike the old KCPE, because the result builds up over several years. The Ministry said every one of the 1,130,459 learners who sat the 2025 KJSEA was guaranteed a Grade 10 place.

How schools are then matched to learners, including the eight school choices and the school categories, is covered in our Grade 10 placement 2027 guide.

Pathway Performance on the Result Slip

Besides the level in each subject, KNEC’s results print-outs show each learner’s overall performance in the three senior school pathways:

• STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics)
• Social Sciences
• Arts and Sports Science

This is the part parents should study most closely. A learner with strong points in Mathematics, Integrated Science and Pre-Technical Studies, like the example above, has a stronger STEM profile. Strong points in languages, Social Studies and Religious Education point towards Social Sciences, and a high Creative Arts and Sports level supports the Arts and Sports pathway. Competitive pathways and schools still go to the higher scorers, so the points do matter.

How KJSEA Grading Differs From KCSE

KCSE uses letter grades from A to E and cluster points for university courses (see our KCSE grading system guide). KJSEA uses competency levels and points from 1 to 8, and there is no single mean grade like “B plain”. Parents used to KCPE marks out of 500 should read the result slip subject by subject rather than looking for one big number.

Checking the Results

The 2025 KJSEA results were released on 11 December 2025 and checked online with the learner’s assessment number and a registered name. Our KNEC results portal guide explains the steps. Make sure your child writes down their assessment number during the exam week, because you’ll need it in December. Then start budgeting with our guide to senior school fees for 2026. Still revising? Our KJSEA revision guide has a day-by-day plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the highest KJSEA score?

72 points: 8 points (EE1) in each of the nine learning areas.

What is EE1 in KJSEA?

Exceeding Expectation 1, the top level, worth 8 points. KNEC’s grading puts it at a score of 90 to 100%.

What does ME2 mean in KJSEA?

Meeting Expectation 2, worth 5 points, for scores of 41 to 57%. The learner has met the Grade 9 standard but has gaps to work on.

Is KJSEA the only thing used for Grade 10 placement?

No. KJSEA carries 60%, Grade 7 and 8 school-based assessments 20% and KPSEA 20%.

Can a learner repeat KJSEA to improve their grade?

KNEC says repeating won’t improve the final score, because placement is based on cumulative results from Grade 6 to Grade 9.

Will every learner get a Grade 10 place?

For the 2025 candidates, the Ministry of Education said every learner was guaranteed a place. Watch for its statement on the 2026 cohort when results are released.

Based on KNEC’s KJSEA results circular and KNEC and Ministry of Education statements on the 2025 KJSEA. Checked 24 October 2026.