The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has released the results of the 2024 UCE examination under a newly implemented competency-based curriculum. Moving away from the traditional division-based ranking, the new system assesses candidates through achievement levels denoted by the letter grades A, B, C, D, and E.
Under the revamped grading model, candidates now qualify for the UCE certificate by attaining a minimum competency level grade of D in at least one subject sat. The overall results reveal that 350,146 out of 357,120 candidates who appeared for the examination – an impressive 98.05% – have met the requisite criteria. On transcripts and certificates, this achievement is reflected as “Result 1”. Candidates who did not satisfy the necessary conditions, such as not sitting compulsory subjects, failing to take a minimum of eight subjects, or lacking Project Work scores, will have “Result 2” recorded.
The grading scale under the new system is defined as follows:
- A (Exceptional): Demonstrates an extraordinary level of competency by innovatively and creatively applying acquired knowledge and skills in real-life situations.
- B (Outstanding): Exhibits a high level of competency through effective application of knowledge and skills.
- C (Satisfactory): Shows an adequate level of competency in applying the acquired knowledge and skills.
- D (Basic): Indicates a minimum level of competency in the practical application of acquired knowledge.
- E (Elementary): Reflects performance below the basic competency level.
The revised reporting format is a significant departure from the old curriculum, where candidates were ranked into divisions. Now, the achievement levels for each subject are derived from continuous assessments conducted at the school level, combined with scores from the final End of Cycle examination.
Result 1, 2, and 3
A candidate will qualify for the UCE Certificate if he or she obtains a competency level grade of D in at least one subject sat for. This will be indicated on the Transcript and Certificate as Result 1.
The candidates who did not fulfil the conditions for the award of the UCE certificate will have Result 2 indicated on their transcripts.
These are candidates who did not sit for some compulsory subjects, or did not sit for a minimum of eight subjects, or who have no Project Work scores.
Result 3 will be will be indicated on the transcript of a candidate who has not met the minimum level in all the subjects. This means that a candidate will have only achievement level E in all subjects taken.
Candidates with Result 2 and 3 respectively shown on their Transcripts do not qualify for a UCE certificate.
Performance
A total of 359,417 candidates registered as part of the first cohort for this new assessment model. The demographic breakdown shows 177,133 males (49.3%) and 182,284 females (50.7%), with 136,785 (38.1%) beneficiaries of the Universal Secondary Education (USE) programme, and 222,632 (61.9%) non-USE candidates. The examination saw a high attendance rate, with 357,120 candidates (99.4%) present and only 2,297 (0.6%) absent—a trend that bodes well for future exam participation.
Education officials and stakeholders believe that the competency-based assessment will offer a more holistic evaluation of student capabilities by linking academic performance with the practical application of skills. This move is expected to better prepare candidates for higher education challenges and the evolving demands of the modern workplace.
The successful rollout of the new UCE grading system is hailed as a milestone in Uganda’s ongoing education reforms, promising enhanced credibility in academic certification and a more accurate reflection of student readiness for future endeavors.
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