Candidates warned against exam irregularities as Knec releases 2025 KCSE timetable
According to the Council, the timetable was released early to allow for feedback from stakeholders and to help schools adequately prepare candidates.
The Kenya National Examination Council (Knec) has officially released the timetable for the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams, with exams set to begin on October 21, 2025, and conclude on November 21, 2025.
According to the Council, the timetable was released early to allow for feedback from stakeholders and to help schools adequately prepare candidates.
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"Schools are also able to start socialising the candidates. We will share the data of all the registered candidates at the end of the registration process," Knec CEO David Njeng'ere said.
According to the timetable, the rehearsals for the KCSE exams have been set to start on October 17, 2025. Oral examinations for subjects including French, German, Kenyan Sign Language (Practical Signing Skills), Music, and Arabic will commence on October 21, 2025.
Practical exams will follow, starting on October 27 and running until October 31, covering subjects such as Home Science, Drawing and Design, Woodwork, Metalwork, Art and Design, Electricity, Building Construction, and Music.
The written theory exams will begin on November 3, 2025, and conclude on November 21, 2025.
The Council said all first session examination papers will start at 8am, while second session examination papers will commence at 2pm, as indicated on the timetable.
“The time allowed for each paper is stated against the name of the paper, and no extra time will be granted. In case of any discrepancy, the time stated on the question paper should be taken as the correct one. The time allocated for reading through questions is included in the duration shown on the question paper, except where special instructions specify otherwise,” Knec said.
It also noted that schools must upload marks for subjects with a project component by March 31, 2025, for Milestone 1 and by July 31, 2025, for Milestone 2 where applicable.
Candidates have bern directed to present themselves for searching outside the examination room and be seated at their desks 15 minutes before the scheduled start time of the examination. Any candidate arriving late will be required to provide a satisfactory explanation to the supervisor.
“Only under exceptional circumstances will a candidate who is more than 30 minutes late be allowed to sit for the exam. Punctuality is crucial for all papers,” the Council said.
Candidates must also verify that the question paper provided matches the subject they registered for. If a required map or other materials are missing, they should immediately inform the supervisor. They should also pay close attention to general instructions on the first page of the exam paper and ensure they answer only the required number of questions.
Knec added that each page of the question paper should be checked to confirm it is correctly printed. Candidates must also write their names and index numbers on their answer scripts and sign them, indicating the date of the examination.
“Writing should be done on both sides of the paper without using the margins, and each answer should start on a new line. The number of the question being answered must be clearly indicated in the left-hand margin,” the Council said.
“Candidates must use black or blue ink for writing. Pencils should be used only for diagrams. Mathematical and drawing instruments should be brought for relevant subjects.”
The Council has urged candidates to manage their time wisely and avoid spending too much time on one question.
Knec warned that leaving the examination room before the paper's scheduled end time is only permitted with special permission. Candidates are strictly prohibited from taking question papers or answer booklets out of the examination room.
Candidates must also ensure their work is not visible to others and must not attempt to seek or give assistance in any form. Additionally, any communication with fellow candidates or outsiders is strictly prohibited.
Unauthorised materials, including books, notes, and electronic devices such as cell phones, are also not allowed in the examination room.
“Candidates may use only Knec-approved mathematical tables and non-programmable calculators where permitted,” read the instructions.
Knec further said that candidates must return any defective question paper to the supervisor immediately.
“No candidate may remove any used or unused paper from the exam room. Rough work should be done on the official answer booklet and left on the desk for collection and disposal by the supervisor,” it said.
“Any misconduct or causing of disturbances in or near the exam room will be treated as an examination irregularity.”
Shifts
The Council has also cautioned that candidates taking practical exams in shifts must remain confined until their turn. Failure to adhere to this, Knec said will be considered an examination irregularity.
“If a candidate notices any malpractice, they should report it through their principal, teachers, or other available means,” it said.
Knec has urged teachers to ensure that candidates understand the penalties for examination malpractice and misconduct.
"Avail yourself for searching outside the examination room and be seated at your desk or table 15 minutes before the time fixed for the examination in the various papers. The first session will start at 8 a.m., followed by the second session at 2 p.m., as indicated on the timetable," Njeng'ere said.
Knec has also issued directives to centre managers, supervisors, and invigilators to ensure a smooth examination process.
"The centre managers should ensure that the supervisors and invigilators deployed to their centres have not served in the same centre for three consecutive years," Njeng'ere said.
A supervisor will be assigned for every 200 candidates, while an invigilator will oversee each examination room, with a maximum of 20 candidates. Additionally, at least two security officers will be stationed at each examination centre, with centres hosting more than 250 candidates eligible to request an additional officer.
Supervisors have been instructed to verify that candidates sign their answer scripts and script control forms before collecting them for packaging. They must also ensure the number of collected scripts matches the number of present candidates.
Njeng'ere reiterated that penalties outlined in Sections 27 to 40 of the Knec Act No. 29 of 2012 would be enforced for examination irregularities.
He warned that candidates found guilty of any form of malpractice in a paper would have their entire subject results cancelled and be awarded a result of 'Y' overall. If widespread irregularities are detected at a centre, the results for the whole centre will be cancelled.
Additionally, any person who gains access to examination materials and discloses their contents to an unauthorized party will face penalties under Section 27 of the Act, which include up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to Sh2 million, or both.
"If an individual impersonates a registered candidate in an attempt to take the exam on their behalf, they will be guilty of an offense under Section 31 of the Act and will face up to two years in prison, a fine of up to Sh2 million, or both. Furthermore, they will be barred from taking any Knec examinations for three years," Njeng'ere said.
He urged candidates to uphold integrity and avoid engaging in any malpractice to safeguard their academic future.
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