The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has reminded heads of institutions that KJSEA registration for Grade 9 candidates closes at midnight on 31 March 2026. Schools must complete fresh registration for every eligible Grade 9 learner through the KJSEA registration portal between 2 March and 31 March 2026 and ensure all supporting data — including School Based Assessment (SBA) scores and KPSEA performance reports — are uploaded and accurate.
Key Takeaways
- Deadline: KJSEA registration closes 31 March 2026 — no late uploads without penalty.
- All Grade 9 learners must be registered afresh on the KJSEA portal (not auto-uploaded).
- Required documents: KPSEA performance report (or equivalent), SBA scores for Grades 7 & 8, and accurate personal details.
- Heads of institutions are responsible for data accuracy, portal security (passwords/OTP) and avoiding ghost candidates.
KJSEA registration: Key dates and actions
Registration window: 2 March – 31 March 2026. Schools MUST register Grade 9 learners directly on the CBA portal. Learners already in the Grade 9 database are eligible, but they still need fresh registration on the KJSEA registration page. Transfers and centre changes must be done online before the portal closes.
Who must be registered and required data
Eligible learners presented for the assessment must:
- Exist in the Grade 9 database.
- Have a KPSEA Performance Report or equivalent for learners joining CBE from other systems.
- Have School Based Assessment (SBA) scores uploaded for Grades 7 and 8 in all learning areas.
- Have accurate personal details: full name as per birth certificate, gender, year of birth, citizenship and selected Religious Education option.
Special needs candidates: documentation and coding
Heads of institutions must correctly code and document candidates with special needs. Codes include B (Braille), LV (Large Print), HI (Hearing Impairment), PH (Physical Impairment) and ID (Intellectual Disability). Required supporting documents:
- Recent detailed medical report from a recognized practitioner.
- Assessment report from the Sub-county Special Needs office (EARC).
- Full-size coloured photograph for candidates with physical disabilities.
- Head of Institution report on any special interventions needed for fair examination administration.
Portal access, OTP and data security
All Sub-County Directors of Education (SCDEs) and Heads of Institutions will access the CBA portal using assigned usernames and passwords. Each login requires two-factor authentication; a one-time password (OTP) is generated whenever a Head of Institution logs in. Heads must:
- Safeguard passwords and OTPs — they are confidential and intended for designated users only.
- Contact the SCDE or KNEC support if a password is lost or forgotten.
- Change default passwords (centre codes) on first login to preserve confidentiality.
Transfers, hosting and new assessment centres
Transfers at Grade 9 must be done online before the portal closes to avoid double registration. Schools with fewer than ten candidates cannot register as independent assessment centres and should liaise with SCDEs to identify hosting centres. Assessment centres with fewer than thirty candidates will be hosted in approved centres identified by SCDEs. New centre applications must have been submitted to KNEC through SCDE offices before the end of 2025 and must include certified registration, inspection questionnaires and evidence of payment of registration fees.
Payment of assessment fees
The Government will meet assessment fees for Kenya citizens in public and private schools. Non-citizens sitting KJSEA or KPLEA are required to pay KES 4,500 directly to KNEC via the eCitizen platform to complete registration.
How parents and guardians can confirm registration
After registration, parents and guardians should confirm that their learner is correctly registered. KNEC will provide an SMS confirmation service: send the exam/assessment prefix and the candidate index or assessment number to 20076. For example KCSE123506013 checks the KCSE registration for index number 123506013. Confirmations help catch errors early and avoid issues during assessment.
Sanctions, deadlines and data protection
Centre managers are solely responsible for accuracy and timeliness of registration data. The registration portal closes on 31 March 2026; late registration requests will attract penalties. No amendment requests will be honored after 22 May 2026. In line with the Data Protection Act 2019, parents/guardians should consent to personal data collection, and KNEC will use the data only for assessment purposes.
Resources for schools and teachers
Teachers and administrators preparing for KJSEA should ensure SBA uploads and use relevant JSS and CBE materials to support learners. Useful internal resources include guidance on junior secondary curriculum and exam practice:
- JSS curriculum designs for planning and aligning SBA scores.
- KPSEA / KCPE past papers to review learner performance prior to registration.
- CBE/CBC exam resources for assessments and teaching materials that support SBA preparation.
Action checklist for heads of institutions
- Verify all Grade 9 learners exist in the Grade 9 database.
- Upload SBA scores for Grades 7 and 8 for each learner.
- Ensure KPSEA performance reports or equivalents are attached.
- Confirm correct spelling, birth year, gender and citizenship for each candidate.
- Secure portal credentials and complete registration by 31 March 2026.
- Advise parents to confirm registration via SMS and review nominal rolls before signing.
Following these steps will reduce registration errors, prevent penalties, and ensure every eligible learner is ready to sit the 2026 KJSEA.
