ASSESSMENT OF UNIVERSITY EXAMINATION PRACTICES IN KENYA: SETTING, MODERATION AND MARKING

Abstract

Examinations play a critical component of the education system. This study sought to assess the university examination practices in Kenya. The objectives of the study were; to establish the procedures involved in setting university examinations in Kenya, to assess the procedures on marking university examinations in Kenya and to establish the procedures on moderation of university examinations in Kenya. The study targeted all the 74 chartered universities in Kenya. Stratified sampling was adopted. The sample was made up 10 Universities comprising of 5 public universities and 5 private universities. Findings of the study revealed that majority of universities in Kenya administered sit in examinations set and marked by course lecturers who had not been trained to perform such activities. It was concluded that there was need to reform university examination policies and guidelines in Kenya. The study recommended that Universities should embrace online examinations and other contemporary examination practices such as screen marking.