The Kenya Accountants and Secretaries National Examinations Board (KASNEB) has introduced a new examination assessment system requiring candidates pursuing five certificate and diploma qualifications to obtain 15 per cent of their final scores from Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs), beginning with the December 2026 examination sitting.
The changes will alter how candidates are assessed, with performance during training contributing to final results alongside scores obtained in the national examinations administered by the board.
In a notice dated Monday, October 12, 2026, KASNEB said the revised assessment framework was part of efforts to improve the quality, relevance and integrity of its examinations while aligning its programmes with Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET).
Under the new arrangement, continuous assessment will account for 15 per cent of a candidate's overall score, while the final KASNEB examination will contribute the remaining 85 per cent.
The policy means candidates will no longer rely exclusively on their performance in the final examination, as their progress during the semester or term will also influence their overall results.
Five courses affected by the new rules
KASNEB said the changes would initially apply to five qualifications: the Certificate in Management and Accounting Skills (CAMS), Accounting Technicians Diploma (ATD), Diploma in Computer Networks and Systems Administration (DCNSA), Diploma in Quality Management (DQM), and Diploma in Data Management and Analytics (DDMA).
Candidates pursuing these programmes must be enrolled in accredited training institutions where they will undertake the prescribed continuous assessment tests.
The board has advised students to consult its official website, kasneb.or.ke, and check the Accreditation section to establish whether their institutions are recognised.
The requirement places additional responsibility on both candidates and training institutions to ensure that registration, assessment and submission of marks comply with the revised guidelines.
Two CATs required before final examinations
Under the new assessment framework, each candidate must undertake two Continuous Assessment Tests during the semester or term.
The first CAT must be administered after at least 40 per cent of the syllabus has been covered, while the second must take place after at least 80 per cent of the syllabus has been completed and before the end of the semester or term.
Each test will be marked out of 100 per cent before the assessment scores are incorporated into the overall examination result.
Although the two CATs will be marked separately, their contribution to the final grade will be limited to the prescribed 15 per cent, with the final KASNEB examination carrying 85 per cent.
The arrangement is intended to capture candidates' progress at different stages of learning rather than relying entirely on a single examination at the end of their training.
No results without CAT and final examination marks
KASNEB has made completion of both components essential for candidates covered by the new policy, stating that students must have continuous assessment marks and final examination marks before their results can be issued.
Candidates will therefore need to ensure that their training institutions administer both tests and submit the required scores in accordance with the board's guidelines.
The requirement could affect candidates who have not enrolled in accredited institutions or whose training centres fail to conduct the assessments and submit the relevant marks on time.
Students preparing for the December 2026 examinations have been urged to familiarise themselves with the new rules and confirm their assessment arrangements well before the examination period.
KASNEB shifts towards competency-based assessment
The introduction of continuous assessment reflects a broader shift towards evaluating learners through both their performance during training and their final examinations.
Competency-Based Education and Training places emphasis on the knowledge, practical skills and professional attitudes learners demonstrate, rather than depending solely on their ability to reproduce information during a final examination.
By incorporating CATs into the final score, KASNEB seeks to make assessment more reflective of candidates' learning progress throughout their programmes.
However, the success of the new system will depend on consistent assessment standards, credible marking, effective supervision and timely submission of results by accredited training institutions.
The December 2026 examination sitting will mark the beginning of the revised arrangement for the five specified qualifications.
Candidates are advised to verify their institutions' accreditation status, complete both CATs and ensure that all required marks are submitted before the release of their examination results.
KASNEB headquarters in Nairobi. The examinations board has introduced mandatory Continuous Assessment Tests for candidates pursuing five certificate and diploma qualifications, with CAT scores contributing 15 per cent of final marks beginning with the December 2026 examinations.
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