School-Based Assessment is one of the most misunderstood parts of Kenya's CBE system. Teachers know they are supposed to conduct it. Many are not confident they are doing it correctly. Some schools are conducting SBA in name only, recording scores without following the prescribed process.
This guide explains exactly what SBA is, how it must be conducted, how scores are recorded and what happens when it is done properly versus when it is not.
What School-Based Assessment Is
School-Based Assessment is a structured, teacher-administered assessment that contributes 20 percent of a learner's senior school placement score. It runs across Grades 7, 8 and 9 in junior secondary. Unlike Classroom-Based Assessment, which is informal and ongoing, SBA is a formal assessment conducted at set points in the term using KNEC-prescribed rubrics and recording tools.
SBA is not the same as end-of-term exams. It is not the same as homework. It is a specific assessment event, planned in advance, conducted under controlled conditions and recorded in the official SBA register.
Senior school placement uses a 60/20/20 formula. KJSEA counts for 60 percent. SBA across Grades 7, 8 and 9 counts for 20 percent. A national non-examined assessment counts for the remaining 20 percent. SBA scores are cumulative and cannot be retaken once a term has passed.
Types of SBA Tasks
KNEC prescribes specific types of SBA tasks for each learning area. Not every task type is appropriate for every subject. The table below shows the main SBA task types and which learning areas they are most commonly used in.
| Task Type | Description | Common Learning Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Written task | Structured written response to a set question or prompt | English, Kiswahili, Social Studies, Business Studies, Religious Education |
| Practical task | Hands-on activity assessed against observable criteria | Integrated Science, Pre-Technical Studies, Agriculture, Creative Arts |
| Oral task | Spoken presentation, discussion or question and answer | English, Kiswahili, Religious Education |
| Project task | Extended work completed over several lessons or at home | Agriculture, Pre-Technical Studies, Business Studies, Creative Arts |
| Portfolio task | Collection of work demonstrating competency development over time | Creative Arts, Pre-Technical Studies |
The SBA Process Step by Step
Conducting SBA correctly requires following a specific process. Deviating from this process, even with good intentions, undermines the validity of the scores and puts the school at risk during KNEC moderation visits.
Using the SBA Rubric Correctly
The SBA rubric uses the four-level system: Below Expectation, Approaching Expectation, Meeting Expectation and Exceeding Expectation. Each level has specific descriptors for each task type. A teacher who assigns ME to a learner must be able to point to specific observable evidence that justifies that rating.
The most common rubric error is awarding ME as a default when a teacher is unsure. This inflates scores across the class and creates a false picture of learner performance. It also fails the learner because it does not identify where they need support. For a detailed explanation of what each level means and how to apply the rubric consistently, read our guide on CBE grading explained.
Handling Absent Learners
A learner who is absent on the day of an SBA task must be given an opportunity to complete the task within the same term. This is not optional. A learner who misses an SBA task and is not given a makeup opportunity has a gap in their SBA record that cannot be filled after the term ends. Schools must have a clear policy for managing SBA makeup tasks and communicate it to learners and parents at the start of each term.
KNEC Moderation
KNEC conducts moderation visits to schools to verify that SBA is being conducted correctly. During a moderation visit, KNEC officers will check the SBA register, review learner work samples and interview teachers about their assessment process. Schools that cannot produce work samples to support their recorded scores, or whose scores show implausible patterns, face score adjustments and potential sanctions.
The best preparation for a moderation visit is to conduct SBA correctly from the start of Grade 7. Schools that follow the process consistently have nothing to fear from moderation. Schools that have been recording scores without conducting proper assessments face serious consequences when moderation arrives.
SBA Done Right Protects Every Learner
School-Based Assessment is not a bureaucratic burden. It is a 20 percent stake in every learner's senior school future. A teacher who conducts SBA correctly, records scores honestly and keeps proper evidence is giving every learner in their class the best possible foundation for placement. That is worth doing properly every single term from Grade 7 to Grade 9.