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1K views3 pages

Subject Groups

Uploaded by

Collins
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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KNEC FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED DURING SUBJECT SELECTION

1. Subject Count
 KNEC dictates that a candidate can sit for a MINIMUM OF 7 SUBJECTS to A
MAXIMUM OF 9 SUBJECTS. Any deviation from this subject count range results in a
student graded a mean grade of Z. A mean grade of Z indicates that the candidate did
not meet the regular requirements. In addition to this, each and every student must choose
a subject according to a certain criterion.

2. Subject Criteria
 KNEC categorizes all secondary school subjects into 5 subject Group:
 GROUP I - These consist of compulsory subjects all student must sit for
 GROUP II - These consist of Science Subjects
 GROUP III - These consist of Humanity Subjects
 GROUP IV - These consist of Applied Sciences
 GROUP V - These consist of Technical Subjects

GROUP I (COMPULSORY SUBJECTS)


Consist of:
1. English (101)
2. Kiswahili (102)
3. Mathematics Alt. A (121)/ Mathematics Alt. B (122)

All candidates must take all of the above subjects, no exceptions. In the past there only used to
be Mathematics (121) but has been split into Mathematics Alt. A (121) and Mathematics Alt.
B (122). At the moment a school decides whether to pick one or all. Many schools usually have
Mathematics Alt. A hence a student can only pick the subject a school registered for.

For schools offering all options, then a student must pick one of the 2 Mathematics options. Be
informed, Mathematics Alt. B is tied to General Science (these are considered soft sciences). Be
advised, students with these subject combinations are barred from pursuing a career in the hard
sciences i.e., careers whose knowledge and application is purely science based such as
pharmacist, analytical chemist, microbiologist, electrical engineer.

Given that this is a compulsory subject group a student has a subject count of 3.

1
GROUP II (SCIENCE SUBJECTS)
Consist of:
1. Chemistry (233)
2. Physics (232)
3. Biology (231)
4. Biology Braille (236)
5. General Science (237)

KNEC dictates that a candidate MUST HAVE A MINIMUM OF 2 SCIENCE


SUBJECTS. From the above subject group, a school may impose at least 1 compulsory science
subjects. Most schools usually offer Chemistry (233), Physics (232) and Biology (231). From
this, a student may wish to pick one more from the other two left, this would be a total of 2
science subjects. Or may choose 2 more and hence have a total of 3 science subjects.

For schools offering General Science, based on the KCSE examination timetables, we can
deduce that for any student who picks General Science (237) must take Biology (231) or Biology
Braille(236). This is deduced from its exact time sitting where candidates sitting for a Chemistry
Paper or Physics Paper while have General Science Paper sat alongside.

A student can pick either 2 or 3 science subjects from this subject group.

From the first 2 subject groups. Any candidate will have a subject count of either 5 (3
compulsory subjects + 2 science subjects) or 6(3 compulsory subjects + 3 science subjects).

GROUP III (HUMANITIES SCIENCES)


1. Geography (312)
2. History and Government (231)
3. Christian Religious Education (313)
4. Islamic Religious Education (314)
5. Hindu Religious Education (315)

KNEC requires that a candidates must sit for at least one(1) of the above humanity subject.
A candidate may choose to sit for more than 1 humanity subject. A candidate is only allowed to
take one(1) of the Religious Education NOT more than 1.

GROUP IV (APPLIED SCIENCES)


1. Computer Studies (451)
2. Agriculture (443)
3. Home Science (441)
4. Art and Design (442)
5. Woodwork (444)
6. Metalwork (445)
7. Building Construction(446)
8. Power Mechanics (447)

2
9. Electricity (448)
10. Drawing and Design (449)
11. Aviation Technology (450)

GROUP V
1. Business Studies (565)
2. French (501)
3. German (502)
4. Arabic (503)
5. Kenya Sign Language (504)
6. Music (511)

From the above left subject groups, KNEC gives the student a choice to pick from the above
groups to add up to a total of either 7, 8 or 9 subject count.

Though there are a variety of subjects left, a candidate usually find themselves with less subjects
to pick from as schools usually do not teach some of the subjects E.g. Most secondary schools
have Subject Group IV in Computer Studies (451), Agriculture (443) and Home Science (441). If
this is what the school offers the candidate can only pick from one of them.

In conclusion, subject selection is a very delicate area, one that requires a considerable amount of
time and thought. A student must also be aware that the subject they do pick will determine the
range of career options that one can pick from. It is advised that students seek consultation from
their teachers or informed people.

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