Uganda’s Ministry of Education and Sports has officially clarified the new UCE grading system used under the Lower Secondary Competency-Based Curriculum (NLSC), a change that has left many parents, students, and teachers asking one big question:

Does UCE still have divisions and aggregates?

According to the Ministry, the answer is NO.

Starting with the second cohort assessed under the new curriculum in 2025, the traditional UCE grading style of Divisions (1–4) and aggregates has been replaced by a new system focused on achievement levels, which measure a learner’s competency rather than ranking them against others.

This article breaks down everything you need to know about the UNEB UCE new grading system, what the grades mean, and whether learners can fail under the new structure.

UNEB Removes Divisions and Aggregates in UCE Results

For many years, UCE results in Uganda were presented using:

- Divisions (Division 1, 2, 3, 4)

- Aggregates

- Numeric grades such as D1 to F9

However, under the new competency-based curriculum, the Ministry of Education has confirmed that the system of ranking learners through aggregates has been removed.

Instead of focusing on competition, UNEB now focuses on measuring what a learner is able to do with the knowledge and skills acquired in class.

This means UCE results are now more about skills and competency than memorization and exam cramming.

What is the New UCE Grading System? (A–E Achievement Levels)

Under the new curriculum, UNEB has introduced five achievement levels, which replace the old D1–F9 grading system.

The new achievement levels are:

• A – Exceptional
• B – Outstanding
• C – Satisfactory
• D – Basic
• E – Elementary

These grades show how well a learner has demonstrated competency in a subject.

UCE Achievement Levels and Their Meaning (Full Explanation)

The Ministry of Education explained that each grade represents a learner’s ability to apply knowledge and skills in real-life situations.

Here is what each grade means:

Grade A (Exceptional)

A learner with Grade A demonstrates an extraordinary level of competency and can apply knowledge and skills creatively and innovatively in real-life situations.

Grade B (Outstanding)

Grade B shows a high level of competency, meaning the learner can apply knowledge and skills very well in real-life situations.

Grade C (Satisfactory)

This indicates an adequate level of competency. A learner can apply the acquired skills and knowledge in real situations, though not at an advanced level.

Grade D (Basic)

A learner at Grade D demonstrates the minimum level of competency required to apply knowledge and skills in real life.

Grade E (Elementary)

This grade means the learner is below the basic level of competency and struggles to apply knowledge and skills effectively.

How UNEB Calculates the New UCE Grades (20% + 80%)

One of the biggest changes in the new UCE grading system is how marks are computed.

The Ministry stated that final results are based on two components:

1. Continuous Assessment (20%)

This 20% comes from assessments conducted by the school during the learning period. It may include:

- coursework

- projects

- assignments

- practical work

- classroom tests

2. Final UNEB Examination (80%)

The remaining 80% comes from the national UNEB final examinations.

This means UCE is no longer entirely dependent on one final exam, as learners now earn part of their grade from school-based assessments.

Does UCE Still Have D1 to F9?

No.

The Ministry clearly explained that the old grading system of D1 to F9 has been removed and replaced by achievement levels A–E.

This change is meant to reduce the pressure of exam ranking and instead reflect actual learner competency.

Is There Division 1 in UCE 2025?

No.

Under the new curriculum, UCE results are no longer issued using the old division system such as Division 1, Division 2, Division 3, or Division 4.

Instead, learners will receive subject achievement levels which show how competent they are in each subject.

What is the Minimum Requirement to Get a UCE Certificate?

According to the Ministry of Education: To earn a UCE Certificate and obtain “Result 1” on the transcript, a learner must attain at least Grade D in at least one subject.

This means a learner does not need to score high grades in all subjects to receive a certificate, but must at least show minimum competency in at least one subject.

Can a Student Fail UCE Under the New System?

This is one of the most searched questions in Uganda right now.

The Ministry stated: No learner is technically considered to have failed.

However, this does not mean poor performance has no consequences.

A learner who scores mostly Grade E (Elementary) will still be at a disadvantage when applying for:

- A-Level admissions

- technical institutions

- scholarships

- competitive schools

So while the system avoids the word “fail,” the grades still reflect a learner’s level of ability.

Why Uganda Changed the UCE Grading System

The competency-based curriculum was introduced to ensure that education produces learners who can apply knowledge practically.

The new grading system aims to:

- reduce exam cramming

- encourage practical skills learning

- promote continuous learning throughout the year

- focus on what learners can do, not just what they remember

The Ministry believes this method provides a more realistic picture of a learner’s academic ability and readiness for the next level.

How the New UCE System Affects A-Level Selection

With divisions and aggregates removed, many parents are wondering how schools will select students for A-Level.

Under the new system, selection is expected to focus on:

- achievement levels in key subjects

- subject competency

- performance trends from continuous assessment

For example, a student aiming to do sciences at A-Level may be evaluated using their achievement levels in:

- Mathematics

- Biology

- Chemistry

- Physics

A learner with Grades A–C in those subjects will likely have better chances than one with mostly Grade D or E.

What Parents and Students Should Know About UCE 2025 Results

The new grading system changes how learners should prepare.

Students are encouraged to focus on:

- understanding concepts deeply

- practicing real-life application

- participating actively in coursework and projects

- performing consistently throughout the term

Parents should also understand that continuous assessment contributes to final grades, meaning learners must take school work seriously all year.

FAQs: UNEB UCE New Grading System (A–E)

1. What is the UCE grading system in Uganda now?

The new UCE grading system uses five achievement levels: A, B, C, D, and E instead of D1–F9.

2. Does UCE still have aggregates?

No. Aggregates have been removed under the competency-based curriculum.

3. Is Division 1 still awarded at UCE?

No. Divisions (1–4) have been removed and replaced by achievement levels.

4. How is the UCE final grade calculated?

The final grade is made up of 20% continuous assessment from the school and 80% UNEB final examination.

5. What does Grade D mean in the new UCE results?

Grade D means Basic competency, showing the learner has the minimum ability to apply skills in real-life situations.

6. What does Grade E mean in UCE results?

Grade E means Elementary, showing the learner is below basic competency.

7. Can you fail UCE under the new grading system?

The Ministry says no learner is technically considered to have failed, but learners with low achievement levels may struggle with admissions.

8. What is the minimum to get a UCE certificate?

A learner must score at least Grade D in at least one subject to earn a UCE certificate and “Result 1.”

Conclusion: UCE Results Now Focus on Competency, Not Divisions

The Ministry of Education has confirmed that the UCE grading system has officially changed under the NLSC curriculum.

The old system of aggregates, divisions, and D1–F9 grades has been replaced with achievement levels A–E, focusing on how well learners can apply knowledge in real life.

As Uganda continues implementing the competency-based curriculum, students are encouraged to take both school work and UNEB examinations seriously since both contribute to the final UCE grade.