Over 3.4 million learners to sit National Exams as KCSE kicks off nationwide

More than 960,000 candidates across the country have begun the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations, marking the start of this year’s national exam season.

Candidates for the 2025 KCSE began with oral exams in foreign and sign languages, including German, French, Arabic, and Kenyan Sign Language. These will be followed by practical exams scheduled to run from October 22 to October 31.

Written KCSE exams will take place from Tuesday, November 4 to Friday, November 21, 2025, according to the official timetable released by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC).

Following the KCSE exams, learners will undertake the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) and the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) concurrently from October 27 to October 29, with rehearsals planned for October 24.

KNEC CEO David Njengere earlier announced that 996,078 candidates had registered for this year’s KCSE. He further revealed that 1,130,669 learners will sit for the KJSEA as the first cohort under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system, while 1,298,089 candidates are set to take the KPSEA.

“In total, 3,424,836 candidates will participate in national exams and assessments this year. The field administration phase began on October 17 and will conclude on November 21, 2025,” said Njengere.

To enhance exam security and curb malpractice, the Ministry of Education has added 25 more examination storage containers, increasing the total to 642, up from 617 last year.

“Over the past two years, we’ve effectively tackled early exposure to examination materials. This year, the additional containers will ease logistics and safeguard exam integrity,” Njengere added.

He assured the public that only vetted and high-integrity teachers, approved by both KNEC and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), will be deployed as invigilators and supervisors.

To ensure security at all KCSE exam centres, the government has also deployed at least two police officers to each location.