If you joined Senior One in 2020 or later, you are learning under a new system. Your older brothers and sisters were judged mostly on one big exam. You are judged on what you do across four years: class tasks, projects, and a final paper that tests whether you can use what you know. This guide explains exactly how that works and gives you 8 clear steps to score higher.
How the new curriculum is graded
The final assessment combines written examinations, which carry up to 80 percent, with continuous assessment, which carries 20 percent. Continuous assessment is the record your school keeps of your work as you learn, instead of waiting for one exam at the end.
Grades have also changed. The old 1 to 9 system has been replaced by letter grades from A to E. Here is what each letter means:
1. Take every class assessment seriously
Under the old system, a weak class test did not change your final result. Now it can, because class-based marks are collected and sent to UNEB. Schools must register continuous assessment, and UNEB has warned that schools which do not may be blocked from registering learners for the end-of-cycle exams.
What to do:
- Attend lessons, especially practical lessons and group activities, since those are often assessed.
- Hand in every task on time. If you are sick, tell your teacher and ask how to make it up.
- Keep your own record of tasks you completed and the feedback you got.
- Treat each task as practice for the final exam, not as a chore.
2. Do your project work properly
Project work is a core part of the new curriculum. UNEB has said that project scores will appear on UCE certificates. A project is a chance to show you can solve a real problem, and it is usually where students can gain easy marks by being organised.
How to do it well:
- Pick a doable topic. A small project you finish beats a huge one you abandon. Choose something linked to your community, such as water purification, farming, waste, or local business.
- Break it into steps. Write what you will do each week and by when.
- Record evidence. Keep notes, photos, measurements, drawings, and receipts.
- Get feedback early. Show your teacher a draft before the final deadline.
- Be ready to explain it. You should be able to say what the problem was, what you did, what you learned, and what you would improve.
3. Build skills, not just memory
The new curriculum cares about what you can do with knowledge. UNEB has named skills such as communication, problem-solving, decision-making, collaboration and critical thinking as areas that the new curriculum assesses. You can train these every day:
| Skill | What it looks like | How to practise |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | Explaining ideas clearly in speaking and writing | Explain a topic to a friend without looking at notes |
| Critical thinking | Asking "why?" and checking evidence | After each lesson, write one question your notes don't answer |
| Problem-solving | Using knowledge to fix a real situation | Take a topic and invent a real-life problem it can solve |
| Collaboration | Doing your part in a team | Take a clear role in group tasks and finish it |
| Decision-making | Choosing between options and defending the choice | List pros and cons before you decide, and write the reason |
4. Practise competence-based questions
Competence-based questions often start with a real-life situation (a farmer, a shop, a village problem) and then ask you to apply what you know. They reward understanding over copying from notes. UNEB has released sample papers to show schools how the new assessment formats will look.
A simple method for any scenario question:
- Read the situation twice and underline the key facts.
- Identify which topic the situation is testing.
- Write your answer using the facts in the situation, not just a textbook definition.
- Give a clear conclusion or recommendation when asked.
5. Use a simple weekly study routine
Short, regular study beats long cramming sessions because your brain remembers what it revisits. Here is a flexible plan you can adjust to your timetable:
6. Study with others
Group study works when it is organised. Meet two or three classmates, give each person a topic, and let each one teach it to the group in five minutes. Explaining something is one of the fastest ways to find out whether you truly understand it. It also trains communication and collaboration, two of the skills the new curriculum looks for.
7. Fix weak topics early
Every student has topics that feel confusing. The mistake is to avoid them, because they come back in exams. Make a list of the topics you find hardest, rank them, and tackle one each week. Ask your teacher to explain it a different way, try a classmate who understands it, or look for worked examples and then try similar problems yourself.
Looking for extra material? Search our free notes, schemes of work, lesson plans, tests and quizzes to find revision material for your subject.
8. Prepare for exam week
- Sleep: A rested brain recalls better than one fed by an all-night session.
- Eat and drink: Don't go into a paper hungry or dehydrated.
- Check your materials: Pens, pencils, geometry set, calculator, and your candidate documents, the night before.
- Read twice: Read each question twice and underline the command word (explain, describe, compare, justify).
- Manage time: Divide the minutes by the marks, and move on if you get stuck. Come back at the end.
- Review: Use the last 5 minutes to check names, numbers, units and missed questions.
Frequently asked questions
Does continuous assessment really count towards my UCE?
Yes. It contributes 20% of the final result, with the written exam making up the other 80%. Without your continuous assessment and project scores in a subject, UNEB will not grade you in it.
What do the letters A to E mean?
A is exceptional, B outstanding, C satisfactory, D basic and E elementary. The final grade for each subject is based on both continuous assessment and the end-of-cycle exam.
How can I practise for competence-based questions?
Ask your teacher for UNEB sample papers, attempt them timed, and practise applying each topic to a real-life situation instead of only memorising definitions.
What if my school still teaches the old way?
Some schools are slower to adjust. A Ministry of Education assessment found that some schools are reverting to old ways of teaching and assessing. Whatever your school does, you can still keep your own record of tasks, practise scenario questions, and build the skills listed above.
Final word
Passing well under the new curriculum is about steady effort across the whole four years. Complete every task, do your project carefully, practise applying what you learn, and revise a little each day. Start this week with one small step, such as making your study plan or asking your teacher for a sample paper.
Information in this article is based on public statements from UNEB, the Ministry of Education and Sports, and news reports, and was current at the time of writing. Rules and deadlines can change, so confirm details with your school or UNEB.
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