KCSE 2025 Examination Timetable And Guidelines

KCSE 2025 Examination Timetable And Guidelines.

The Kenya National Examination Council (Knec) has announced the timetable for the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination, with candidate registration currently ongoing.

Knec’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. David Njeng’ere, emphasized that the timetable had been issued early to allow stakeholders to provide feedback. He also stated that schools could begin familiarizing candidates with the schedule and that the council would share the final list of registered candidates after the registration process concludes.

KCSE Schedule, Key Dates And Timing

According to the released timetable, rehearsals will be held on October 17, 2025, before candidates undertake oral examinations starting October 21, 2025. These subjects include French, German, Kenyan Sign Language (Practical Signing Skills), Music, and Arabic.

Practical examinations will follow from October 27 to October 31, covering subjects such as Home Science, Drawing and Design, Woodwork, Metalwork, Art and Design, Electricity, Building Construction, and Music. The theory papers are scheduled to commence on November 3, 2025, and will conclude on November 21, 2025.

All morning session examinations will commence at 8:00 a.m., while the afternoon session papers will begin at 2:00 p.m. as per the timetable. The duration of each exam is indicated alongside the subject name, and no additional time will be granted.

If any discrepancy arises, the time stated on the question paper should be considered accurate. The time allocated for reading questions is included in the overall duration, except when specified otherwise in the paper instructions.

For subjects with project components, schools must upload the respective marks by 31st March 2025 for Milestone 1 and by 31st July 2025 for Milestone 2 where applicable.

KCSE 2025 Examination Timetable And Guidelines PDF DOWNLOAD

Guidelines for Teachers and Candidates

Instructions for Teachers

Teachers must ensure candidates thoroughly understand these instructions and adhere to them. Candidates should also be informed about the penalties for examination misconduct or irregularities.

Instructions for Candidates

• Candidates should arrive early for inspection outside the exam room and be seated 15 minutes before the scheduled time. Morning sessions start at 8:00 a.m. and afternoon sessions at 2:00 p.m.
• Late arrivals must provide a valid reason to the Supervisor. Candidates arriving more than 30 minutes late may not be allowed to sit the exam.
• Ensure the question paper received matches the registered subject.
• Notify the Supervisor immediately if any required materials, such as maps, are missing.
• Follow all general instructions on the first page of the question paper, including limitations on the number of questions to be answered.
• Verify that all pages of the question paper are printed correctly.
• Write your name, index number, and date of the exam on the answer booklet and sign where required.
• Answers should be written on both sides of the paper without using the margins, with each new part of a question beginning on a fresh line.
• Clearly number each question in the left margin as per the question paper numbering and leave a blank line after each answer.
• Use blue or black ink for writing; diagrams should be drawn using a pencil. Mathematical and drawing instruments should be brought for relevant subjects.
• Read all questions carefully to avoid providing unnecessary information.
• Manage time effectively to ensure all questions receive adequate attention.
• Upon completion, confirm that the answer booklet contains your name, index number, and signature before submitting it to the Supervisor.

Examination Regulations and Cautions

Candidate Conduct

• Candidates may not leave the examination room before the paper’s scheduled end unless granted special permission. Any candidate permitted to leave cannot take the question paper or answer booklet outside.
• Keep written responses hidden from other candidates to prevent unauthorized assistance. Sharing or obtaining assistance in any form is strictly prohibited.
• Communication between candidates or with outsiders is not allowed.
• Only authorized examination materials are permitted in the exam room. Unauthorized books, notes, or other materials are strictly forbidden.
• Only KNEC-approved mathematical tables should be used, with no additional markings. Non-programmable calculators are allowed for specific subjects such as Mathematics, Sciences, and Technical subjects.
• Defective or misprinted question papers must be returned to the Supervisor immediately.
• No candidate is allowed to remove used or unused paper from the examination room. Rough work should be done in the answer booklet and left for collection if not submitted with the exam script.
• Any disruption within or near the examination room will be treated as an irregularity.
• For practical exams taken in shifts, candidates must be present during confinement. Failure to attend confinement will be considered an irregularity.
• Carrying cell phones or electronic devices into the examination room is strictly forbidden. Violation of this rule will result in result cancellation.
• Any suspected malpractice should be reported to the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) through the school administration.

Guidelines for Centre Managers, Supervisors, and Invigilators

• Centre managers must ensure that only Supervisors and Invigilators who have not previously served in the same centre for three consecutive years are deployed.
• Each centre must have a Supervisor for every 200 candidates and an Invigilator for every 20 candidates in each examination room.
• At least two security officers must be present in every centre. An additional officer may be assigned for centres with more than 250 candidates.
• During optional subject exams, candidates should be seated together in designated rooms and return to their original rooms for compulsory papers. Supervisors should ensure a fair rotation of invigilators.
• Only authorized personnel are allowed within the examination centres during the exam period.
• Candidates must receive personalized question papers. These will include their names, random numbers, and relevant details, as provided by KNEC.
• Supervisors must verify that candidates sign their answer scripts and script control forms before submission. Answer scripts should be counted to ensure accuracy before sealing them in return envelopes.
• The KCSE seating plan and script control forms must not be stamped by the centre manager or contain school details.

Examination Irregularities and Penalties

The KNEC Act No. 29 of 2012 outlines strict penalties for examination irregularities, particularly in Sections 27 to 40:

• Any candidate found guilty of an irregularity in any subject will have all results for that subject canceled.
• If widespread cheating occurs at a centre, all candidates’ results for that centre will be nullified.

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Additionally, the following offenses attract severe penalties:

• Unauthorized access to examination materials and disclosure of content will lead to up to 10 years of imprisonment or a fine, not exceeding two million shillings.
• Possession or malicious distribution of examination content will result in legal consequences, including imprisonment, fines, or both.
• Individuals impersonating candidates will face imprisonment of up to two years or a fine, not exceeding two million shillings.

Dr. Njeng’ere urged all candidates to comply with the rules and avoid engaging in any form of examination malpractice to prevent their results from being canceled.

KCSE 2025 Examination Timetable And Guidelines

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