KNEC Announces Registration Timelines for KPSEA, KJSEA, and KCSE.
The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has announced key dates for schools to register learners for this year’s national assessments and examinations.
Grade 6 Learners and KPSEA Registration
KNEC confirmed that Grade 6 learners will undertake the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) in October 2025.
Registration for KPSEA candidates will commence on January 27, 2025, with schools required to use the KNEC CBA Portal to register students and print nominal rolls.
Grade 9 Learners and KJSEA Registration
Grade 9 learners will sit for the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA), which starts in October and ends in November 2025.
Registration for KJSEA candidates will begin on February 17, 2025, using the same KNEC portal.
These assessments are a key milestone in the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) and will determine placement in senior schools.
Form 4 Students and KCSE Registration
The registration for Form 4 candidates taking the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) will also start on February 17, 2025.
KNEC has distributed sample KJSEA papers to schools following a pilot program conducted in 235 institutions.
Breakdown of Assessments and Scores
Primary to Junior Secondary Transition
- Grade 6 learners will take KPSEA, which contributes 20% of the total score.
- School-Based Assessments (SBAs) in Grades 7 and 8, conducted during terms two and three, will contribute another 20%.
- KPSEA results will facilitate learners’ transition to Grade 7.
Junior to Senior Secondary Transition
- Grade 9 learners will take KJSEA, accounting for 60% of their total score.
- The cumulative score—20% from SBAs, 20% from KPSEA, and 60% from KJSEA—will determine placement in senior secondary schools.
Senior School Transition and Pathways
In 2026, the first CBC cohort will transition to senior secondary school, beginning a three-year program covering Grades 10 to 12. Learners will specialize in one of three core pathways:
| Pathway | Tracks | Learner Distribution |
|---|---|---|
| Arts and Sports Science | Arts (Music, Dance, Theatre, Film, Fine Arts); Sports Science (Physical Education, Sports) | 15% |
| Social Sciences | Languages & Literature; Humanities & Business Studies | 25% |
| STEM | Pure Science, Applied Science, Technical Studies | 60% |
Detailed Pathway Subjects
- Arts and Sports Science
- Arts: Music, Dance, Theatre, Film, Fine Arts
- Sports Science: Sports and Recreation, Physical Education
- Social Sciences
- Languages and Literature: Indigenous Languages, Kiswahili, Literature in English, French, Chinese, among others
- Humanities and Business Studies: History, Geography, Business Studies, and Religious Education
- STEM
- Pure Science: Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics
- Applied Science: Agriculture, Computer Science, Home Science
- Technical Studies: Aviation, Building and Construction, Electricity, Marine Technologies
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Placement in Senior Schools
The Ministry of Education has clarified the placement criteria for senior schools:
- Students pursuing STEM will join former national schools.
- Creative Arts and Sports will be offered in extra-county schools.
- Humanities subjects will be available across county and sub-county schools.
The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development has also introduced Media Technology and Marine & Fisheries Technology as additional areas of study under technical education.
This structure follows a review by a presidentially appointed technical working group addressing parental and institutional concerns.
KNEC Announces Registration Timelines for KPSEA, KJSEA, and KCSE
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