The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has released the timetable and instructions for the 2026 Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA), outlining the dates, examination times and guidelines for Grade 6 candidates across the country.
According to the timetable, the national assessment will take place over three consecutive days, beginning on Monday, October 26, and ending on Wednesday, October 28, 2026.
The assessment follows a rehearsal day scheduled for Friday, October 23, during which schools brief candidates and prepare them for the examinations.
KNEC has instructed supervisors and invigilators to adhere strictly to the assessment guidelines throughout the examination period.
The time allowed for each paper is fixed, and no additional time will be permitted except where special instructions apply.
The council has also clarified that the time required to read through examination questions is included in the total duration indicated for each paper.
Supervisors must ensure that candidates receive personalised mark sheets bearing their correct names and assessment numbers.
Complete 2026 KPSEA timetable
Rehearsal day: Friday, October 23, 2026
Schools were scheduled to conduct briefings and rehearsals to familiarise candidates with assessment procedures and prepare them for the national exercise.
Day 1: Monday, October 26, 2026
The assessment begins with Mathematics at 8:30am.
The standard Mathematics paper runs from 8:30am to 9:50am, lasting one hour and 20 minutes.
Candidates taking Large Print Mathematics are allocated one hour and 20 minutes, while those taking the Braille version receive one hour and 50 minutes.
A break is scheduled from 10:20am to 10:50am.
The second session covers English, with the standard paper running from 10:50am to 11:50am, lasting one hour.
The Large Print English paper also lasts one hour, while candidates taking the Hearing Impaired and Braille versions receive one hour and 20 minutes.
Day 2: Tuesday, October 27, 2026
The morning session begins at 8:30am with Integrated Science.
The standard and Large Print papers last one hour and 40 minutes, while the Braille version takes two hours and 10 minutes.
A break follows from 10:40am to 11:10am.
Candidates then sit Kiswahili or Kenyan Sign Language from 11:10am to 12:10pm.
The standard Kiswahili, Large Print and Kenyan Sign Language papers last one hour, while the Kiswahili Braille paper is allocated one hour and 20 minutes.
Day 3: Wednesday, October 28, 2026
The final day features Creative Arts and Social Studies, beginning at 8:30am.
The standard and Large Print papers run from 8:30am to 10:10am, lasting one hour and 40 minutes.
Candidates taking the Braille version receive two hours and 10 minutes.
Special needs provisions
KNEC has provided adapted assessment papers and time allocations to accommodate candidates with different learning and accessibility needs.
These include Large Print and Braille papers, as well as specific provisions for candidates taking papers designed for learners with hearing impairments.
The additional time allowed varies according to the assessment paper and the applicable special instructions.
Supervisors and invigilators are expected to observe these provisions to ensure that eligible candidates receive the accommodations indicated in the timetable.
Instructions to supervisors and candidates
The council has emphasised the importance of observing the prescribed starting times and durations for each assessment paper.
Supervisors must verify candidates' identification details and ensure that the appropriate assessment materials are issued.
Schools are also expected to prepare candidates for the assessment by communicating the timetable and relevant examination instructions.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to support candidates in preparing for the scheduled dates and reporting to their assessment centres on time.
The assessment concludes on Wednesday, October 28, with Creative Arts and Social Studies.
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