The Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) has released the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exam timetable. According to KNEC CEO David Njeng’ere, this is to give schools and candidates time to prepare in advance.
KCSE 2025 Examination Dates
- Rehearsals: October 17, 2025
- Oral Exams: October 21, 2025 (French, German, Arabic, Kenyan Sign Language, and Music)
- Practical Exams: October 27 – October 31, 2025 (Home Science, Drawing and Design, Woodwork, Metalwork, Art and Design, Electricity, Building Construction, and Music)
- Theory Papers: November 3 – November 21, 2025
Exam Rules and Guidelines
KNEC has laid strict rules for the exam period.
Candidate Instructions:
- Be seated 15 minutes before each exam session starts. The first session starts at 8:00 AM and the second at 2:00 PM.
- Late candidates must give a valid reason to the exam supervisor. Those arriving more than 30 minutes late will only be allowed to sit for the exam under special circumstances.
- Do not share your answers or seek help.
- No unauthorized materials (books, notes or electronic devices) are allowed in the exam room.
- No cell phones and electronic devices are allowed. If found will lead to cancellation of results.
- Misconduct (causing disturbances) will be treated as exam irregularity.
Exam Officials Regulations:
- Centre managers must ensure that supervisors and invigilators do not serve in the same centre for three consecutive years.
- Supervisor allocation: One supervisor for every 200 candidates.
- Invigilator allocation: One invigilator for every 20 candidates per room.
- Security officers: Each exam centre will have at least two security officers. Centres with more than 250 candidates may request an additional officer.
- Supervisors must ensure candidates sign their answer scripts before collection and verify that the number of scripts matches the present candidates.
Consequences of Examination Irregularities
KNEC warns candidates against any form of malpractice as per KNEC Act No. 29 of 2012 (Sections 27–40).
- Individual penalties: Any candidate found guilty of an irregularity in a paper will have the entire subject cancelled and will get a “Y” result (No Result Awarded).
- Institution-wide penalties: If an exam centre has widespread irregularities, all candidates’ results will be cancelled.
- Unauthorized access to exam materials:
- 10 years imprisonment or
- KSh 2 million fine or both.
- Impersonation:
- 2 years imprisonment or
- KSh 2 million fine or both.
- 3 year ban from sitting any KNEC exam.
Conclusion
KNEC has released the 2025 KCSE timetable early. Candidates, teachers and schools now have ample time to prepare. With strict rules in place, candidates are advised to follow the rules to avoid penalties that will affect their academic future.
