PSL Mathematics Contest
PSL Mathematics Contest 2026: Acacia Crest Edition
Twelve schools brought Grades 7, 8 and 9 to a paper that asked for reasoning, not only recall. Two hundred and seven scored scripts were analysed — by learner, team, school, grade and strand — so teachers could see where the work is landing and where it still needs teaching.
Figures from the published contest results. View the official results
The sitting
A contest that rewarded real problem-solving.
The contest was written to go beyond routine classroom drills. Learners had to reason, calculate, model real-life situations, interpret multi-step word problems, apply formulas, and show their working across number, algebra, geometry, measurement, probability, ratio, proportion and commercial arithmetic.
That is the point of a PSL contest sitting: not a stage show, but a diagnostic that still feels like a public moment. Schools can see who is showing exceptional promise, which teams are consistent, which grades need support, and which strands are blocking higher achievement — while sitting alongside other participating schools.
By grade
Where the paper landed.
| Grade | Scored scripts | Average | Highest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 7 | 54 | 39.3% | 88% |
| Grade 8 | 74 | 32.7% | 69% |
| Grade 9 | 79 | 40.3% | 86% |
Grade 9 recorded the highest average. Grade 7 produced the top overall learner.
Schools
Leading schools by average score.
| # | School | Average | Top learner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cornerstone School | 58.4% | Tashley Waithira, 73% |
| 2 | Chuna Junior School | 57.0% | Judy Seleina, 88% |
| 3 | Mountain View | 54.2% | Jimmy Carter, 80% |
| 4 | Acacia Crest Academy | 53.8% | Randall Henry, 86% |
| 5 | Corner Brook School | 39.9% | Ryan Huri, 68% |
Cornerstone School led on school average. Chuna Junior School produced both the top team and the top overall learner.
Teams
The highest-performing teams.
| # | Team | Average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chuna Junior School – Team 2 | 67.2% |
| 2 | Acacia Crest Academy – Team 2 | 64.5% |
| 3 | Chuna Junior School – Team 3 | 59.0% |
| 4 | Chuna Junior School – Team 1 | 58.8% |
| 5 | Acacia Crest Academy – Ungrouped | 58.4% |
| 6 | Cornerstone School – Team 1 | 58.4% |
| 7 | Mountain View – T-41 | 56.8% |
| 8 | Mountain View – T-42 | 55.8% |
Learners
Top learners of the contest.
| # | Learner | School | Grade | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Judy Seleina | Chuna Junior School | 7 | 88% |
| 2 | Randall Henry | Acacia Crest Academy | 9 | 86% |
| 3 | Jimmy Carter | Mountain View | 7 | 80% |
| 4 | Jason Mbaita | Chuna Junior School | 9 | 77% |
| 4 | Kevin Nganga | Acacia Crest Academy | 9 | 77% |
| 6 | Alvin Kipchirchir | Chuna Junior School | 7 | 76% |
| 7 | Tashley Waithira | Cornerstone School | 9 | 73% |
| 8 | Fridah Waridi | Chuna Junior School | 9 | 70% |
| 8 | Valeria Wanjiku | Mountain View | 9 | 70% |
| 10 | Clifford Munene | Mountain View | 8 | 69% |
| 10 | Liam Saolla | Acacia Crest Academy | 8 | 69% |
Names and scores are from the published contest results.
Strands
What the scripts say about strengths.
The strongest strand overall was Number & Numeration. Learners were relatively more comfortable with place value, fractions, integer operations, ratio-style questions and basic computation. Algebra was the weakest broad strand.
- Number & Numeration 47.6%
- Data & Probability 43.4%
- Ratio & Proportion 37.4%
- Geometry & Measurement 35.5%
- Commercial Arithmetic 33.4%
- Algebra 25.1%
Gaps to teach next
The paper was diagnostic, not only competitive.
- Algebraic reasoning — forming equations from word problems, simultaneous equations, age problems, inequalities and graph interpretation.
- Geometry and measurement in applied contexts — recalling a formula was easier than using it in a multi-step situation (painted wall area, composite surface area, cylinder capacity, slabs, solid geometry).
- Commercial arithmetic — salary, commission, exchange rates, duty and percentage contexts exposed gaps in financial reasoning.
- Work-rate and proportional reasoning — people, time, work done, pipes and changing rates were especially demanding.
The Acacia Crest sitting combined individual ranking, team competition, school comparison, grade-level analysis, strand diagnosis and question-level review. That combination is the PSL idea in public: celebrate the learners who stretched, and send every participating school home with something a teacher can reteach next week.
Next
Keep the habit going.
The same daily five that feeds PSL is waiting at home. The full rankings, teams and strand notes live on the contest results page.
