The Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) is an important exam that all students in Kenya must undertake to transition from secondary schools to higher places of learning, whether it is a college or university in Kenya. Thus, for students at the Form level, understanding when the KCSE exams start and end is essential to passing your exams, as you are able to set time aside for thorough preparation. So, if you are probably wondering when the KNEC KCSE exams will start in 2025, the Good news is that KNEC has already unveiled the KCSE timetable that gives us an overview of the Exam dates for each KCSE paper.
The 2025 academic year is also a surprising year, as the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has introduced Mid-year exams for 2024 KCSE students who failed their exams and wish to retake them. This guide is, however, focused on 2025 Candidates as we have listed below all the information you’d want to know about the upcoming KCSE Exams.
How To Register for KCSE 2025 Exams
If you are a KCSE candidate in 2024, before you sit for the exams, which are scheduled to start in October and November, you must ensure that you are registered with the Kenya National Examination Council. As of the writing of this article, according to the official circular that I have seen from KNEC, the registration process for this year’s examination started on 17 February 2025, and the deadline is March 28th, 2025.
Students do not complete the registration process itself; instead, the heads of various institutions are responsible for ensuring that all candidates are registered and that the process is strictly done online via the KNEC registration portal.
KNEC Candidate Registration Portal
Key Dates For The 2025 KCSE Examination
After the Registration phase, the KCSE examinations will occur from October to November. However, the Project part of the examinations started in January 2025 and will last seven months until July 2025. Marks for the projects must be uploaded on the KNEC portal by schools 3 Schools should upload marks for subjects with a Project component by 31st March 2025 for Milestone 1 and 31st July 2025 for Milestone 2.
The rehearsal for the examinations will be on Friday, 17th October 2025, before the exams commence officially the following week. So, what are the 2025 KCSE exam dates? Below is a table with all the dates, along with when specific papers will be done and at what time of the day
January 2025 To July 2025
Paper Code
Paper Name
Session
Duration
442/3
Art and Design (Project)
–
7 months
443/3
Agriculture (Project)
–
7 months
444/2
Woodwork (Project)
–
7 months
445/2
Metalwork (Project)
–
7 months
446/2
Building Construction (Project)
–
7 months
451/3
Computer Studies (Project)
–
7 months
Tuesday 21/10/2025 To Friday 24/10/2025
Paper Code
Paper Name
Session
Duration
501/3
French (Oral)
–
15 minutes per candidate
502/3
German (Oral)
–
15 minutes per candidate
504/3
Kenyan Sign Language (Practical Signing Skills)
–
15 minutes per candidate
511/1
Music (Practical)
–
15 minutes per candidate
Tuesday 21/10/2025 To Monday 27/10/2025
Paper Code
Paper Name
Session
Duration
503/3
Arabic (Oral)
–
15 minutes per candidate
Wednesday 22/10/2025
Paper Code
Paper Name
Session
Duration
441/3
Home Science (Foods and Nutrition) – Practical Planning Session
–
30 minutes
441/3
Home Science (Foods and Nutrition) – Practical Planning Session Large print
–
30 minutes
441/3
Home Science (Foods and Nutrition) – Practical Planning Session Braille
–
1 hour
Monday 27/10/2025 To Wednesday 29/10/2025
Paper Code
Paper Name
Session
Duration
441/3
Home Science – Foods and Nutrition (Practical)
–
1 hour 15 minutes
441/3
Home Science – Foods and Nutrition (Practical) Large Print
–
1 hour 15 minutes
441/3
Home Science – Foods and Nutrition (Practical) Braille
–
1 hour 45 minutes
Wednesday 29/10/2025
Paper Code
Paper Name
Session
Duration
501/1
French (Listening Comprehension, Dictation and Creative Writing)
8.00 am – 10.00 am
2 hours
501/1
French (Listening Comprehension, Dictation and Creative Writing) Braille
8.00 am – 10.30 am
2 hours 30 minutes
502/1
German (Listening Comprehension and Composition)
8.00 am – 10.00 am
2 hours
503/2
Arabic (Grammar, Reading Comprehension and Composition)
8.00 am – 10.30 am
2 hours 30 minutes
503/2
Arabic (Grammar, Reading Comprehension and Composition) Large print
8.00 am – 10.30 am
2 hours 30 minutes
504/1
Kenyan Sign Language (Receptive Skills)
8.00 am – 10.00 am
2 hours
511/3
Music
8.00 am – 10.30 am
2 hours 30 minutes
511/3
Music Large print
8.00 am – 10.30 am
2 hours 30 minutes
511/3
Music Braille
8.00 am – 11.00 am
3 hours
501/2
French (Reading Comprehension, Grammar and Functional Writing)
2.00 pm – 4.15 pm
2 hours 15 minutes
501/2
French (Reading Comprehension, Grammar and Functional Writing) Large print
2.00 pm – 4.15 pm
2 hours 15 minutes
501/2
French (Reading Comprehension, Grammar and Functional Writing) Braille
2.00 pm – 4.45 pm
2 hours 45 minutes
502/2
German (Grammar and Reading Comprehension)
2.00 pm – 4.30 pm
2 hours 30 minutes
502/2
German (Grammar and Reading Comprehension) Large print
2.00 pm – 4.30 pm
2 hours 30 minutes
503/1
Arabic (Listening Comprehension and Dictation)
2.00 pm – 2.50 pm
50 minutes
504/2
Kenyan Sign Language (Language Use)
2.00 pm – 3.30 pm
1 hour 30 minutes
511/2
Music (Aural)
2.00 pm – 2.50 pm
50 minutes
Thursday 30/10/2025
Paper Code
Paper Name
Session
Duration
441/1
Home Science
8.00 am – 10.30 am
2 hours 30 minutes
441/1
Home Science Large print
8.00 am – 10.30 am
2 hours 30 minutes
441/1
Home Science Braille
8.00 am – 11.00 am
3 hours
442/1
Art and Design
8.00 am – 9.30 am
1 hour 30 minutes
442/1
Art and Design Large print
8.00 am – 9.30 am
1 hour 30 minutes
444/1
Woodwork
8.00 am – 10.30 am
2 hours 30 minutes
444/1
Woodwork Large print
8.00 am – 10.30 am
2 hours 30 minutes
445/1
Metalwork
8.00 am – 10.30 am
2 hours 30 minutes
445/1
Metalwork Large print
8.00 am – 10.30 am
2 hours 30 minutes
446/1
Building Construction
8.00 am – 10.30 am
2 hours 30 minutes
446/1
Building Construction Large print
8.00 am – 10.30 am
2 hours 30 minutes
448/1
Electricity
8.00 am – 10.30 am
2 hours 30 minutes
448/1
Electricity Large print
8.00 am – 10.30 am
2 hours 30 minutes
450/1
Aviation Technology
8.00 am – 10.30 am
2 hours 30 minutes
447/1
Power Mechanics
2.00 pm – 4.30 pm
2 hours 30 minutes
447/1
Power Mechanics Large print
2.00 pm – 4.30 pm
2 hours 30 minutes
449/1
Drawing and Design
2.00 pm – 4.30 pm
2 hours 30 minutes
449/1
Drawing and Design Large print
2.00 pm – 4.30 pm
2 hours 30 minutes
451/1
Computer Studies
2.00 pm – 4.30 pm
2 hours 30 minutes
451/1
Computer Studies Large print
2.00 pm – 4.30 pm
2 hours 30 minutes
Friday 31/10/2025
Paper Code
Paper Name
Session
Duration
441/2
Home Science – Clothing Construction (Practical)
8.00 am – 10.30 am
2 hours 30 minutes
441/2
Home Science – Clothing Construction (Practical) Large print
8.00 am – 10.30 am
2 hours 30 minutes
441/2
Home Science – Clothing Construction (Practical) Braille
8.00 am – 11.00 am
3 hours
442/2
Art and Design (Practical)
8.00 am – 12.00 noon
4 hours
442/2
Art and Design (Practical) Large print
8.00 am – 12.00 noon
4 hours
447/2
Power Mechanics (Practical)
8.00 am – 10.30 am
2 hours 30 minutes
447/2
Power Mechanics (Practical) Large print
8.00 am – 10.30 am
2 hours 30 minutes
448/2
Electricity (Practical)
8.00 am – 10.30 am
2 hours 30 minutes
448/2
Electricity (Practical) Large print
8.00 am – 10.30 am
2 hours 30 minutes
449/2
Drawing and Design (Practical)
8.00 am – 10.30 am
2 hours 30 minutes
450/2
Aviation Technology (Practical)
8.00 am – 10.30 am
2 hours 30 minutes
451/2
Computer Studies (Practical)
8.00 am – 10.30 am
2 hours 30 minutes
451/2
Computer Studies (Practical) Large print
8.00 am – 10.30 am
2 hours 30 minutes
Monday 03/11/2025
Paper Code
Paper Name
Session
Duration
101/1
English (Functional Skills)
8.00 am – 10.00 am
2 hours
101/1
English (Functional Skills) Large Print
8.00 am – 10.00 am
2 hours
101/1
English (Functional Skills) Braille
8.00 am – 10.30 am
2 hours 30 minutes
101/1
English (Hearing Impaired)
8.00 am – 10.30 am
2 hours 30 minutes
233/1
Chemistry
2.00 pm – 4.00 pm
2 hours
233/1
Chemistry Large print
2.00 pm – 4.00 pm
2 hours
Tuesday 04/11/2025
Paper Code
Paper Name
Session
Duration
121/1
Mathematics Alt. A
8.00 am – 10.30 am
2 hours 30 minutes
121/1
Mathematics Alt. A Large Print
8.00 am – 10.30 am
2 hours 30 minutes
121/1
Mathematics Alt. A Braille
8.00 am – 11.00 am
3 hours
122/1
Mathematics Alt. B
8.00 am – 10.30 am
2 hours 30 minutes
122/1
Mathematics Alt. B Large Print
8.00 am – 10.30 am
2 hours 30 minutes
101/2
English (Comprehension, Literary Appreciation & Grammar)
2.00 pm – 4.30 pm
2 hours 30 minutes
101/2
English (Comprehension, Literary Appreciation & Grammar) Large print
2.00 pm – 4.30 pm
2 hours 30 minutes
101/2
English (Comprehension, Literary Appreciation & Grammar) Braille
2.00 pm – 5.00 pm
3 hours
101/2
English (Hearing Impaired)
2.00 pm – 5.00 pm
3 hours
Wednesday 05/11/2025
Paper Code
Paper Name
Session
Duration
233/2
Chemistry
8.00 am – 10.00 am
2 hours
233/2
Chemistry Large print
8.00 am – 10.00 am
2 hours
237/1
General Science
8.00 am – 10.30 am
2 hours 30 minutes
237/1
General Science Large print
8.00 am – 10.30 am
2 hours 30 minutes
101/3
English (Creative Composition and Essays based on Set Texts)
2.00 pm – 4.30 pm
2 hours 30 minutes
101/3
English (Creative Composition and Essays based on Set Texts) Large print
2.00 pm – 4.30 pm
2 hours 30 minutes
101/3
English (Creative Composition and Essays based on Set Texts) Braille
If you are a KCSE candidate in 2025, KNEC has strict guidelines that all students must follow when doing their exams. So, before the official KCSE exam days arrive, you may want to familiarize yourself with these rules to avoid penalties or disqualification.
Arrive at the examination center at least 15 minutes before the start time (8:00 a.m. for morning sessions and 2:00 p.m. for afternoon sessions). Latecomers over 30 minutes will only be allowed in exceptional circumstances.
Candidates must be searched outside the examination room and seated at their desks before the exam begins.
Verify that the question paper matches the subject registered for. If maps or materials are missing, inform the supervisor immediately.
Write your name, index number, and signature correctly on the answer booklet. Use black or blue ink (no erasable pens) and pencil only for diagrams.
Number answers clearly and follow the question paper’s numbering system. Avoid writing in the margins and leave a blank line after each answer.
Do not remove any paper from the examination room. Rough work must be done in the answer booklet and left for collection.
Cell phones, unauthorized calculators, and any electronic devices are banned. Possession of these items will result in result cancellation.
No communication is allowed between candidates or with outsiders during the exam.
Misconduct, such as causing disturbances or attempting to copy, will lead to severe penalties, including result cancellation.
Candidates involved in malpractice will have their entire subject results canceled and receive a “Y” grade.
Severe cases, such as impersonation or leaking exam material, may result in fines of up to KSh 2 million or imprisonment.
Yes, a candidate can retake one or more subjects in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examination regardless of the year they sat for their exams, but it is important to note that your results will not change the initial Mena grade in your KCSE certificate during the first attempt.
Will there be KCSE in 2025?
Yes, like in previous years, in 2025, there will also be the KCSE exams, which start with the July series of exams, as well as a mid-year KCSE for repeat candidates. The official KCSE exam will begin with rehearsals on Friday, 17/10/2025, and end on Friday, 21/11/2025.
How do you register KCSE as a private candidate?
To register for KCSE as a private candidate, you can:
Go to the KNEC website (www.knec.ac.ke)
Download and fill out the private candidates’ registration forms
Pay the required fees
Report to the Subcounty Director of Education for further instructions
Joseph is the founder of Mawese.com, where he shares in-depth analysis of the latest tech and business trends in Kenya. As a web developer and tech expert, he brings unique insights through tutorials and practical solutions, offering valuable content that stands apart in the industry. Joseph has also worked as an editor and writer for leading Kenyan publications like Techmoran.com and Techarena.co.ke.
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