Uneb follows a standard grading system

To be in Division One, a candidate must pass all the four subjects with credits or better (distinctions) and the total aggregate should not exceed 12.

The 2012 Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) results have, as usual, generated mixed reactions. While some parents, candidates and teachers were rejoicing over improved performance, others were complaining about withheld results or alleged ‘wrong grading’. I therefore write to address the grading issue.

There are minimum aggregates for Divisions One and Two but other conditions also apply during the grading process.
To be in Division One, a candidate must pass all the four subjects with credits or better (distinctions) and the total aggregate should not exceed 12. Thus a candidate who scores three in all four subjects (aggregate 12) qualifies for Division One but a student with three distinctions (D1) and a pass seven totaling aggregate 10 does not. The latter has some distinctions and a better aggregate but one of the scores is neither a distinction nor a credit and therefore cannot be graded in Division One. In other words, for one to be in Division One, the worst score must be a credit and the final aggregate should not be more than 12.

For Division Two, a candidate must pass all the subjects (with at least a seven or eight) and the aggregate must not exceed 24. Therefore, a candidate with credit six in all subjects (aggregate 24) is graded in Division Two while one with three Distinctions (D1) and a pass nine (agg.12) does not. The latter has distinctions and a better aggregate but does not satisfy the condition of passing all subjects.
For Division Three there is no minimum aggregate. A pupil is graded into Division Three if they score at least three credits or passes in all the four subjects. Under the first window, a candidate who scores at least credit six in three subjects and a pass seven is graded in Division Three while one with two distinctions (D1) a pass seven and nine does not.

Like Division three, Division Four does not have minimum aggregate. One is required to score at least one credit or a Pass Seven in two subjects or a Pass Eight in three subjects. All candidates who obtain divisional grades one, two, three and four, are considered to have passed the examination and qualify to join any post-primary institution. Those who are not in any of the four divisions either failed (Ungraded or Division U) or were absent (Division X).
Hamis Kaheru,
Principal Public Relations Officer
Uneb