More than one million candidates registered for the 2026 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination today completed their final rehearsals ahead of the national tests, which begin on Monday, October 19.
The rehearsals, conducted across examination centres countrywide, marked the final stage of preparations as candidates familiarised themselves with examination procedures before sitting their first oral and practical papers.
The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has registered 1,048,355 candidates for this year's KCSE examination, making it the first time the number of candidates sitting the secondary school examination has crossed the one-million mark.
Examination timetable and subjects
The examination period will run until November 20, with candidates expected to sit papers in languages, sciences, humanities, mathematics, religious education, business studies, agriculture and technical subjects.
According to the official KNEC timetable, French Oral, German Oral, Kenyan Sign Language Practical Signing Skills and Music Practical examinations will run from Monday, October 19, to Friday, October 23. Arabic Oral examinations are scheduled to continue until October 26.
The main written examinations will begin on Wednesday, October 28, with papers in foreign languages, Kenyan Sign Language, Music and selected technical subjects. The bulk of the written papers will be administered between November 2 and November 20.
Candidates briefed on examination regulations
The rehearsal day gave candidates an opportunity to familiarise themselves with examination-room arrangements, understand the instructions they must follow and prepare for the formal assessment process.
School administrators and examination officials also had an opportunity to brief candidates on their responsibilities and reinforce the rules governing the administration of national examinations.
Candidates are required to report to their examination rooms in good time, confirm that they have received the correct question papers and ensure that their names and index numbers are correctly indicated on their answer scripts.
KNEC guidelines require candidates to be seated at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start of an examination.
They must follow instructions issued by supervisors and invigilators and use only authorised examination materials.
The council has also outlined strict penalties for examination malpractice, including the cancellation of results in affected subjects. Candidates are therefore expected to maintain discipline and avoid any conduct that could compromise the integrity of the assessment.
### KCSE marks milestone in education transition
The examinations are being conducted as Kenya continues its transition from the 8-4-4 education system to Competency-Based Education (CBE), making the KCSE an important milestone for learners completing the outgoing curriculum.
For the candidates, today's rehearsal marked the end of the preparatory exercise and the beginning of the final stretch towards completing secondary school education.
With the first papers scheduled for Monday, candidates have been encouraged to remain calm, observe examination regulations and approach each paper with confidence as they pursue opportunities in universities, colleges and technical and vocational training institutions.
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