The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has released new guidelines for students and schools as Kenya prepares to participate in a global education benchmarking initiative known as the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).
In the guidelines issued on Friday, August 8, the council stated that the assessment, scheduled to begin in September 2025, will include 15-year-old students enrolled in Grade 7 or higher.
"This age group is chosen because most students at this age are nearing the end of compulsory education, making it a key point to assess learning outcomes across different education systems," KNEC said.
During the PISA assessment, students will be evaluated on how well they can apply their knowledge in science, mathematics, and reading to real-world situations, rather than on their ability to use rote memorization.
KNEC noted that Kenya will join over 90 countries participating in the international assessment, which is spearheaded by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to evaluate education systems worldwide.
Over 250 schools, including both junior and secondary schools, have been selected to participate in PISA 2025.
The selection was made using scientifically sound sampling methods known as probability techniques to ensure a fair and nationally representative sample.
This includes schools from marginalized and underserved areas, not just urban centres. In each school, a maximum of 42 students, regardless of their Grade or Form, will be sampled to participate in PISA.
PISA is administered using two modes, Computer-Based Assessment (CBA) and Paper-Based Assessment (PBA).
Students in Kenya will be assessed using a computer-based assessment, which is the standard mode for PISA globally since 2015.
According to KNEC, CBA will allow more interactive and adaptive testing, better capturing students’ problem-solving and critical thinking skills in real-world contexts.
KNEC stated that it will provide the required laptops during the assessment period. The examination body said that teachers may be involved in various roles, such as coding/marking the open-ended responses.
"PISA results will help identify strengths and gaps in our education system. These insights will inform curriculum reforms, teacher training, and resource allocation to enhance learning outcomes for all students across all levels,” KNEC stated.
It noted that the Main Survey in Kenya will take place in September 2025, followed by data analysis, reporting writing, and dissemination of results in 2026. Updates will be provided regularly by KNEC through various communication channels.
