The Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) grading system is a standardized way of evaluating and ranking students’ performance in the national secondary school examinations in Kenya. The KCSE grading system the grading system was as follows:
A (Plain) – 12 points
A- (Minus) – 11 points
B+ (Plus) – 10 points
B (Plain) – 9 points
B- (Minus) – 8 points
C+ (Plus) – 7 points
C (Plain) – 6 points
C- (Minus) – 5 points
D+ (Plus) – 4 points
D (Plain) – 3 points
D- (Minus) – 2 points
E (Plain) – 1 point
The highest grade you can get is an A(plain) which carries a point load of 12. Conversely, the lowest grade is an E (that has one point only); See more details on the table below.
| Points | Grade |
| 12 | A (plain) |
| 11 | A- (Minus) |
| 10 | B+ (plus) |
| 9 | B (plain) |
| 8 | B- (minus) |
| 7 | C+ (plus) |
| 6 | C (plain) |
| 5 | C- (minus) |
| 4 | D+ (plus) |
| 3 | D (plain) |
| 2 | D-(minus) |
| 1 | E |
In addition to the subject grades, a candidate’s overall performance is assessed based on their mean grade. The mean grade is calculated by summing up the points obtained in all subjects and dividing by the number of subjects. For example, if a student scores A in all subjects, their mean grade would be 12.00.
The KCSE examination is typically taken at the end of four years of secondary education in Kenya, and the results play a crucial role in determining a student’s eligibility for further education, including admission to universities and colleges. Please note that educational systems and grading schemes can change over time, so it’s a good idea to verify the current grading system with the Kenyan Ministry of Education or relevant educational authorities for the most up-to-date information.
| POINTS | COURSE – | |
| 12 | 80 – 100 | A |
| 11 | 75 -79 | A- |
| 10 | 70 – 74 | B+ |
| 9 | 65- 69 | B |
| 8 | 60 – 64 | B- |
| 7 | 55 – 59 | C+ |
| 6 | 50 – 54 | C |
| 5 | 45 – 49 | C- |
| 4 | 40 – 44 | D+ |
| 3 | 35-39 | D |
| 2 | 30-34 | D- |
| 1 | 0 -29 | E |
