What Is the KASNEB Pass Mark? Everything You Need to Know

If you are preparing for that KASNEB (Kenya Accountants and Secretaries National Examinations Board) exams or planning to enroll in a professional course like CPA (Certified Public Accountant), Certified Secretaries (CS), or Certified Investment and Financial Analysts (CIFA), and Accounting Technicians Diploma (ATD), one of the most common questions is: “What is the KASNEB pass mark?”

Understanding the pass mark is essential because it sets the benchmark for success and helps candidates plan their revision, manage expectations, and track their performance. In this article, we break down everything you need to know about KASNEB pass marks, including variations across courses and tips to meet the required score.

What Is the Official KASNEB Pass Mark?
According to KASNEB’s official guidelines, the pass mark for all examinable units is 50%. This means that in order to pass any paper, a candidate must score at least 50 out of 100 marks in that specific unit. This pass mark applies across all qualification levels.

Why Is the KASNEB Pass Mark Set at 50%?
The 50% pass mark is designed to ensure that candidates have a solid grasp of the subject matter before being certified. As KASNEB qualifications prepare individuals for professional roles in finance, audit, law, taxation, and management, the board must uphold high standards of knowledge and competence.
Setting the pass mark at 50% strikes a balance between being fair and maintaining academic integrity. It ensures that:
• Candidates meet a minimum threshold of understanding
• The quality of professionals in the industry is maintained
• The certification remains credible and internationally recognized

What Happens If You Score Below 50%?
If you score less than 50% in a unit, you fail that specific paper. However, KASNEB allows you to resit failed units in subsequent sittings without repeating the entire section, as long as you meet progression requirements.
For example, in the CPA program, if you pass two papers out of three in a section, you only need to retake the one paper you failed. This modular approach gives students a fair chance to complete the course progressively.

Does the 50% Rule Apply to Online Exams (CBE)?
Yes. With the introduction of Computer-Based Examinations (CBE) by KASNEB, the pass mark remains the same. Whether you sit for your exams online or on paper, the 50% minimum score rule still applies.

Strategies to Hit the 50% Pass Mark (Or Higher!)
 Study with the Current Syllabus: Ensure that your revision is guided by the most recent KASNEB syllabus and updated notes. Each topic covered must align with what’s examinable.
 Practice Past Papers: Working through past exam questions helps you understand exam patterns, manage time, and sharpen your answering technique.
RCM Online College in collaboration RCM Publishers offers student study kits with the current syllabus and revision in both soft and hard copy formats at highly competitive prices as follows:
 BDA Revision Kits – Ksh. 1,500 per copy
 CPA/ATD Revision Kits – Ksh. 1,000 per copy

 Attend Block Revision Sessions: These intensive revision programs focus on high-weight topics, exam strategy, and past paper analysis. They are a game-changer for many students.
Enroll for ATD, CPA, CAMS, CS, CPFM and CIFA Block Revision Classes at RCM Online College TODAY!!
Charges
 Block Revision Only – Ksh. 2,000 per unit
 Block Revision + Previous Videos – Ksh. 3,200
 BDA Block Revision – Ksh. 4,000, with Previous Videos – Ksh. 5,500
 Last Mile Videos – Ksh. 1,000
 Last Mile Videos + Revision Kit – Ksh. 1,800
 Revision Kit Only – Ksh. 1,000

 Use the 80/20 Rule: Focus 80% of your effort on key topics that carry the most marks. KASNEB exams are known to test application, not just theory, so apply concepts in real-world scenarios.
 Join Study Groups: Collaborating with others encourages accountability and exposes you to new ways of understanding complex topics.

Reach out to the RCM Online College help desk for more information.
Visit our website at https://www.rcmonlinecollege.co.ke/, email us at [email protected], call us at 0793555000/0719525000, or visit us at Stanbank House, 1st floor along Moi Avenue, Nairobi for clarification