UNEB introduces new grading system as 2024 UCE results are released

The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has released the 2024 Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) results, marking a historic shift as the first cohort to be assessed under the new competency-based curriculum. This system replaces the traditional division rankings with a grading scale based on achievement levels.

UNEB Executive Director Dan Odong announced that student performance will now be graded using letter grades A, B, C, D, and E. Each grade reflects a candidate’s competency in applying knowledge and skills in real-life situations.

Grade A is described as exceptional, awarded to candidates who demonstrate extraordinary competency by applying knowledge innovatively and creatively.

Grade B represents outstanding performance, indicating a high level of competency in applying acquired knowledge effectively.

Grade C is classified as satisfactory, meaning the candidate has an adequate level of competency.

Grade D is considered basic, showing the candidate meets the minimum competency level, while Grade E is elementary, indicating performance below the basic competency level.

Under the new system, a candidate qualifies for the Uganda Certificate of Education if they achieve at least a Grade D in one subject. Students take a minimum of eight and a maximum of nine subjects.

Odong explained that UNEB undertook significant preparations for this transition. The board developed student identification formats to track continuous assessment scores, trained 63,041 teachers on digital assessment tools and competency-based evaluation, and created an in-house Assessment Management Information System (ARMIS) to streamline assessment processes.

Additionally, UNEB conducted benchmarking exercises to adopt best practices and sensitized key education stakeholders about the new system.

The final UCE grade is determined by combining 20% continuous assessment scores from school-based evaluations and 80% final examination scores from UNEB’s end-of-cycle exam. This approach integrates classroom performance with standardized testing to provide a more comprehensive evaluation of students’ abilities.

Out of all candidates who sat for the exams, 350,146 students, representing 98.5%, qualified for the UCE certificate. Their transcripts will indicate “Result One,” confirming they met the required competency level. Candidates who did not meet the conditions—either by failing to sit for all required subjects or missing compulsory assessments—will receive “Result Two” on their transcripts.

The introduction of this grading system marks a significant shift in Uganda’s education system, focusing on assessing students based on practical skills and real-world application rather than memorization and exam performance.