KCSE kicks off as CBC tests set for next week

The 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations officially kicked off across the country on Tuesday, marking a crucial period for thousands of Form Four candidates.

The Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) assured that all preparations are set to ensure a transparent process, after conducting rehearsals on Friday.

Candidates who took French, German and Arabic will start their orals, with music students doing their practical and practicing signing skills for the Kenyan Sign Language.

The written papers will start on November 4, wrapping up on November 21, after the completion of oral and practical tests.

This year’s KCSE will see 996,078 candidates sit for the papers, KNEC Chief Executive Officer Davind Njengere said.

Njengere said storage containers have been increased from 617 used in 2024 to 642, to ease distribution of examination material.

The 2025 KCSE examinations will run until November 21, marking the culmination of the 2025 academic calendar for Form Four candidates.

Results are expected to be released before the end of the year to allow for a timely transition to universities and colleges.

Meanwhile, the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) tests for Grade 9 learners are scheduled to begin next week.

The assessments will mark a significant phase in the ongoing rollout of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), which emphasises practical learning, creativity and problem-solving skills.

Some 1,298,089 learners will sit for the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) exams while 1,130,669 will sit for the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA).

“In total, 3,424,836 candidates will undertake national examinations and assessments this year. The field administration began on October 17, and will end on November 21, 2025,” Njengere said.

On Friday, Njengere said KNEC will deploy 10,765 centre managers, 12,126 supervisors, 54,782 invigilators and 22,247 security officers.

Additionally, 2,692 drivers will assist in logistics, particularly in regions affected by poor roads and rains.

He said that while security officers will be limited to key logistical roles in KPSEA and KJSEA, each KCSE examination centre will have at least two security officers to safeguard exam integrity.

“Over the last two years, we have successfully addressed the challenge of early exposure to the exams,” he said.

“To further ease this process, KNEC has installed an additional 25 storage containers in sub-counties, bringing the total number to 642, up from 617 last year.”

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba issued a stern warning against any form of malpractice, stating that lawful action will be taken on those found responsible.

“We will have no mercy on anyone who will be found engaging in any form of malpractice,” Ogamba said.

“All candidates, centre managers, supervisors and invigilators must comply with examination regulations, failing which they will face the full force of the law.”