Read on to find out how you can calculate cluster points in Kenya.
I remember back in the days when we were making applications to JAB (Joint Missions Admission Board) to make it to the university. Those times were trying for some of us who did not know what cluster points were and how even to begin calculating them.
Thank God we had good-hearted cyber cafe assistance who took it upon themselves to show us how to go about it.
However, in the advent of technology and tech-savvy most form four graduates have an unlimited supply of internet in their homes and a laptop. All that one has to do is log in, learn how to calculate cluster points and then make an application. Today, therefore, we are going to learn how to calculate cluster points for 2019/2020 according to the new guidelines.
The Kenya Universities and college’s central placement board is a government agency tasked with the responsibility of placing students in Universities and colleges of their choice. This board replaced the Joint admissions board in 2013.
As a way to fulfill its duties as charged by the constitution, the placement board has devised an elaborate way to enable students to calculate their cluster points without hassle. Lets, therefore, delve into how to carry out the whole process.
How to calculate Cluster points
Here we will go into details of explaining the formula used in more information as well as giving tangible examples that one could follow to get their cluster points.
To get the weighted cluster point, this short formula is followed.
For one to be able to get the weighted cluster points, one has first to determine the following:
- r – which is the sum of the performance index of the relevant cluster subjects which should be four subjects.
- API – the amount of performance index of 7 required subject of the candidate
- m -a sum of maximum performance index of the relevant subjects for the candidate (4)
- spi – Sum of maximum subject performance index of the candidates seven subjects
Example of how to calculate cluster points when joining for an engineering course or a financial management course.
Here is an example of how to calculate cluster points for a candidate who wants to join for an engineering course at the University of Nairobi.
Let’s assume that the candidate’s score is as presented below:
To determine the cluster subjects for an engineering course its essential to follow the following guidelines:
It is important to note that each course only has four important critical subjects for calculation.
An engineering student candidate may be required to have passed in the following some subjects as tabulated below. The cluster points are as below:
To determine the spi, r, API, and m here is how to do it
How do we finally get the cluster points given we have the values above?
Here is how to get the cluster points:
Important things to note regarding cluster points calculation
- Kuccps is always provided with the performance index of all candidates per subject by K.N.E.C.
- A candidate no longer has to cram this formula because on logging on the KUCCPS website there is an online tool to facilitate these calculations.
- It is also worth to note that, since 2017, KUCCPS has reduced the minimum aggregate grade to get into university to C+ that is 46 points. Any candidates who score this grade are eligible to join any university in Kenya under government sponsorship.
- As a result of this change, the minimum aggregate grade to take a diploma course also reduced to 32 points.
- Moreover, those having an aggregate of 18 points are eligible to join any institutions offering craft courses such as technical colleges.
The current ongoing applications are for private sponsorship in most universities, such as the University of Nairobi.
See also: KUCCPS Portal
How to calculate Cluster points Conclusion
One’s choice of a university degree or diploma or a technical certificate mostly shapes their careers. It is therefore essential to put in a lot of thought into making sure that the type of choice that one has selected to do matches one’s dream career. Gone are the days that parents had to choose jobs for their kids. These days are all about pursuing dreams and passions right from sending college applications.
