The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has introduced a compulsory Qualifying Test (QT) for candidates without a Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) or equivalent qualifications seeking to register for the 2027 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examination (KCSE).
In guidelines issued on Thursday, KNEC said affected candidates will be required to undergo a validation process of their primary school credentials before being allowed to sit for the September test, which it described as a key requirement for 2027 KCSE registration eligibility.
The directive covers all learners without KCPE certificates, including those who missed the 2023 KCPE examinations but were admitted to secondary school with approval from the Ministry of Education.
“All persons without KCPE exam certificates or their equivalent who intend to register for the 2027 KCSE exam will present their primary school qualifications for validation by KNEC and thereafter sit the KCSE QT,” the council said.
Applicants will be required to submit an application letter, proof of primary school attendance, such as report cards and a validation fee of Sh3,480. Once cleared, candidates will be issued with authorisation to register for the qualifying test, whose registration portal is already open and will close on July 30, 2026.
“The QT will be administered online in September 2026 at a venue to be identified by the office of the County Director of Education,” KNEC said.
“It will also be offered to candidates with foreign qualifications who are currently in Form 3, upon evaluation by KNEC.
The registration exercise, KNEC added, will be coordinated at county headquarters, where candidates will present required documents, including clearance letters and identification documents.
“Prospective candidates will be required to present a letter from the school for regular candidates or from the Sub-County Director of Education for adult candidates, an Equation letter from KNEC, a soft copy of their passport photo and birth certificate at their respective County HQ for registration for the QT,” said KNEC.
Candidates will also pay a separate examination fee of Sh3,000 through the e-Citizen platform during the registration process.
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