Effects of Belt Marking in Internal Joint Examination on Final KCSE National Examination Performance in Extra-County Secondary Schools, in Murang’a County, Kenya

The study sought to investigate effects of conveyor belt marking in internal joint examination toward KCSE national examination performance in extra-county secondary schools, in Murang’a county, Kenya. The study employed descriptive survey design with both qualitative and quantitative approaches targeting 23 school principals and 4815 students. A sample of 168 respondent was randomly selected for the study findings. Data was mainly collected using a questionnaire tool. The study established that the whole process of belt marking ensured that all students from extra-country secondary schools were awarded the correct marks, scores, grades and awards based on their performance. Majority (78.26%) of the extra-county school mean performance were between grade C minus and grade D plus. Most students did not perform well since the whole process of marking ensured the assessment in reliable and valid. Majority (80.75%) of the students managed a grade C plain and below in the joint exam that was marked under conveyor belt system. All the schools improved in KCSE examination where majority (60.87%) scored grade C plain which is a better and higher grade in national examination performance and none of the school performance below grade C plain a clear indicator that conveyor belt marking had an impact in this performance as compared with previous years, where schools were using traditional marking system. Quality grades improved by 29.456% and poor grade reduced by 34.77% from the joint examination and 2306 secured a degree program in the university. There was a positive correlation between joint examination and KCSE examination performance after adoption of conveyor belt marking a replacement of traditional marking. Students felt that belt marking would protect them from those teachers who are biased and unfair in their marking and therefore, CBS increases the efficiency and accuracy in performances.