🎓 Ultimate Guide to Choosing Your Senior School Pathway Under CBC (2025)

🔎 Introduction: Why Your Senior School Pathway Choice Matters

As Grade 9 learners prepare to transition to Grade 10 under Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), one major decision lies ahead: choosing the right pathway.

Whether you’re leaning toward STEM, Social Sciences, or the Arts and Sports Science, your choice will shape:

• The subjects you’ll study
• Your future career path
• Skills development
• Even your university opportunities

✅ Did you know? Each pathway leads to careers like engineering, psychology, sports management, or performing arts.

This ultimate guide will walk you through:

• ✅ What each pathway includes
• ✅ Careers it can lead to
• ✅ How to match your personality and interests
• ✅ Tips to avoid common mistakes
• ✅ And how SmartExaminers can help with a free quiz!

🧪 1. What Is a CBC Pathway in Senior School?

Senior School (Grades 10–12) offers three major pathways:

• STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
• Social Sciences
• Arts & Sports Science

Every learner chooses a track and 3 electives, in addition to the 4 core subjects:

✅ English, Kiswahili/KSL, Physical Education, and Community Service Learning

Selection is based on:

• Interests & talents
• Subject performance
• Career goals
• Teacher feedback (via KEMIS)
• Assessment & career tools

⚙️ 2. CBC STEM Pathway: Build, Innovate, and Solve

🔍 What It Involves:

Subjects may include:

• Mathematics
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Biology
• Computer Science
• Engineering, AI, Aviation, etc.

💼 Careers:

• Engineer (Civil, Electrical, Mechanical)
• Doctor, Nurse, Lab Tech
• Software Developer, AI Engineer
• Architect, Scientist, Pilot

👤 Best For:

• Problem-solvers
• Logic lovers
• Science fans
• Hands-on learners

🌍 3. CBC Social Sciences Pathway: Lead, Understand, Influence

🔍 Subjects May Include:

• History & Government
• Religious Ed (CRE/IRE/HRE)
• Geography
• Business Studies
• Psychology, Sociology
• Global Citizenship

💼 Careers:

• Lawyer, Politician
• Psychologist, Journalist
• Diplomat, NGO Officer

👤 Best For:

• Debaters, readers, leaders
• Advocates for change
• Curious about people & culture

🎨 4. CBC Arts & Sports Pathway: Express, Create, Perform

🔍 Subjects May Include:

• Music, Drama, Dance
• Drawing, Fashion, Media
• Sports, PE, Film

💼 Careers:

• Athlete or Coach
• Artist, Performer
• Filmmaker, Designer
• Animator, Photographer

👤 Best For:

• Creatives & performers
• Artistic or athletic learners
• Visual, expressive talents

🧭 5. Not Sure Yet? How to Choose the Right CBC Pathway

✅ A. Take the SmartExaminers Free Quiz

An AI-powered quiz that matches your:

• Interests
• Skills
• Favorite subjects

👉 Try the quiz on SmartExaminers

✅ B. Talk to Teachers & Mentors

Ask: - What subjects do I excel in? - Where do I shine in class or group work?

✅ C. Reflect on What You Enjoy

Ask: - What are my hobbies? - What’s exciting in school? - What work would I love—even if it’s hard?

✅ D. Check Career Options & Schools

• Does your dream school offer that track?
• Will you travel or board?
• Are you okay with being placed outside your county?

⚠️ 6. Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Following friends' choices
❌ Ignoring your interests
❌ Chasing prestige over passion
❌ Rushing the decision
❌ Under/overestimating yourself
❌ Picking only 1–2 schools

👉 Tip: Your pathway is personal. Choose for YOU.

📥 7. How to Apply: CBC Senior School 2025

🏫 Choose 12 Schools:

• 4 from your 1st choice
• 4 from 2nd choice
• 4 from 3rd choice

🛏️ Day vs. Boarding:

• 9 boarding schools (3 in-county, 6 outside)
• 3 day schools in sub-county

💻 KEMIS Application:

• Online placement
• Digital admission letters
• Replacements allowed once, 2 weeks before school opens

💡 8. CBC Pathways & Personality Types

✅ Final Thoughts

Choosing your CBC pathway is your first real career decision. It determines your skills, mindset, and future direction.

Whether you're a future engineer, artist, journalist, or innovator:
passion + purpose = power.

🌟 Explore. Ask. Reflect. Choose wisely.

✍️ About SmartExaminers

SmartExaminers Career & Curriculum Desk
We simplify CBC so educators and learners can thrive. Our platform helps teachers create CBC-aligned mock exams, build customized marking schemes, and access updated curriculum resources.

🌐 Visit us
📧 Email: support@smartexaminers.com

✍️ READ MORE!

🔗 Senior School Pathway Guide CBC 2025 – STEM, Arts, Social Sciences

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