KNEC Dismisses Claims of 60% Question Repetition in National Exams
The Kenya National Examination Council disagreed with assertions made by a researcher from the Zizi Afrique Foundation that 60% of questions on national examinations are repeated.
KNEC CEO David Njeng’ere says these allegations are false.
The KNEC boss asserted that the claims cannot be considered true unless there is concrete evidence to substantiate them. Additionally, the boss mentioned that if there is any research or study on the matter, it should be made available for examination.
Njeng’ere was responding to a researcher from the Zizi Afrique Foundation who claimed that sixty percent of KCSE and KCPE questions are repeated annually.
ALSO READ: Public Service Boards Wants Job Group Grading by SRC Revised
Dr. Purity Ngina of Zizi Afrique observed that many examine the possibility of exam-related cheating after the fact, but few examine the questions themselves.
“One thing I have not witnessed is individuals analyzing the issues. “Because if you examine the KCPE or KCSE exam papers, you will notice that sixty percent of the questions are repeated,” Ngina explained.
“And actually, most of the questions are even repeated word by word.”
Citizen TV conducted an interview with Ngina on Tuesday.
Ngina stated that if schools are able to invest in individuals who can analyze questions from previous national examinations, then their students will receive at least sixty percent of the possible score per subject.
ALSO READ: Public Universities urged to prepare for CBC Curriculum
She stated that there are learners and teachers in big institutions who have noticed the trend and are investing in it.
According to Ngina, the findings were even disclosed in 2022 at a conference organized by all of Africa’s assessment organizations.
“Knec were even represented at the conference, and the findings were made public that 60 percent of questions in Kenya are repeated,” according to her.
Not only were certain questions repeated word-for-word, but they were also placed in the same order as in previous years, according to the researcher.
So if it’s question 1 in History this past year, you find that the exact question two years later is question 1 in History.
Ngina deemed it a failure on the part of exam administrators to have the same questions on national exams year after year.
ALSO READ: Igunga High School Accused of Frustrating KCSE Student Over Fee Arrears
However, she acknowledged that the examiner is responsible for setting questions and that there are various methods for setting examinations.
“But I think we need to be getting outside the box,” Ngina commented.
Form four candidates across the nation have already begun their 2023 KCSE examinations.
On Monday, the candidates began their examinations with practical exams. This year, 903,260 candidates have registered for the KCSE.
The candidates will take their practical examinations from Monday, October 23 through Friday, October 27.
The oral exams for French, German, Arabic, Kenya Sign Language, and music are included in the practical exams.
Students of Home Science will do their practicals between October 30 and November 1.
ALSO READ: 2023 KCPE Examination Timetable, Instructions, and Guidelines
Beginning on November 1, candidates will take a variety of morning examinations. These include French (Listening Comprehension, Dictation, and Creative Writing) and Braille.
They will also take German, Arabic, Arabic, Large print, Kenyan Sign Language (Receptive Skills), and Music.
On November 24, Physics practicals will conclude the KCSE examinations.
Furthermore, 1.4 million candidates will take the KCPE exams. A rehearsal for the KCPE and KPSEA will take place on Friday, October 27.
The KCPE and KPSEA examinations will commence on Monday, October 30, and conclude on Wednesday, November 1.
In primary schools, the 8-4-4 system will cease with the 2023 KCPE examinations.
ALSO READ: KNEC Increases Marking Centres as Machogu Announces New Rules to Curb KCSE & KCPE Exams Cheating
KNEC Dismisses Claims of 60% Question Repetition in National Exams