Kenya's KCSE 2026: main papers 2–20 November, 1,048,355 candidates, phones banned

The main papers of the 2026 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), written papers and science practicals, run from Monday 2 November to Friday 20 November, starting with English Paper 1 at 8.00 am, according to the timetable of the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC). Written papers in French, German, Arabic, Kenyan Sign Language and Music start earlier, on Wednesday 28 October. Oral and practical papers began on 19 October.

KCSE is the national exam at the end of secondary school, and the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) uses KCSE performance to place students in degree and college programmes. KNEC has registered 1,048,355 KCSE candidates, up from 996,078 in 2025, The Standard reported on 18 October. With candidates for the primary-school (KPSEA) and junior-school (KJSEA) assessments, KNEC is examining 3,634,846 candidates between 19 October and 20 November.

The timetable, reference KNEC/TD/SE/KCSE/TT/26/005, sets first-session papers at 8.00 am and second-session papers at 2.00 pm. No extra time is allowed for any paper. Large-print and Braille versions run in the same sessions, some with longer durations.

Oral papers, practicals and the first written papers fall between 16 October and 30 October:

The main papers, one or two a day:

Both tables come from the KNEC timetable; Mathematics Papers 1 and 2 are listed in two versions (Alt. A and Alt. B) on the same days.

Section 3 of the timetable sets out what candidates must do:

1. Be seated 15 minutes before the paper starts and be available for searching outside the examination room. A paper is given to a candidate more than half an hour late only in exceptional circumstances.
2. Write your name and index number correctly on the question paper or answer script, then sign and write the date of the examination on the answer booklet.
3. Write in black or blue ink. Erasable pens are not allowed; pencil is for diagrams only. Bring mathematical and drawing instruments where the subject needs them.
4. Use only mathematical tables printed by KNEC, with no added notes. A calculator must be the specified non-programmable model, without a cover, and is allowed in Mathematics, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Geography, Agriculture, Woodwork, Metalwork, Building Construction, Power Mechanics, Electricity, Drawing and Design, Aviation Technology, Computer Studies and Business Studies.
5. Bring no books, notes or papers except material KNEC authorises. No communication with other candidates or outsiders is allowed, and no one may leave before the period ends without the supervisor's permission.

The timetable says cell phones and any other electronic communication device are prohibited in examination centres, and a candidate found with one has the results cancelled. The ban covers smartwatches, earphones, tablets and recording equipment, and centre managers, supervisors, invigilators and support staff must hand in their phones when papers are distributed, The Standard reported. Each candidate gets a personalised question booklet showing name and index number. KNEC chief executive David Njengere said, as quoted by The Standard: "Every candidate will have a uniquely identifiable paper, and this will reduce the chances of cheating."

Under the KNEC Act No. 29 of 2012, a candidate who commits an irregularity in any paper has the whole subject cancelled and is awarded result "Y" overall, and results for a whole centre are cancelled if there is evidence of widespread irregularities. Revealing exam material to an unauthorised person carries up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to KSh 2 million, or both. In 2025, results of 1,180 KCSE candidates were cancelled, up from 840 in 2024. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said, as quoted by The Standard, "we will have no mercy on anyone who will be found engaging in any form of malpractice."

KNEC says it is prepared for disruption from the anticipated El Niño rains.

The timetable gives no date for the 2026 KCSE results. The 2025 results were released on Friday 9 January 2026 at AIC Chebisaas School in Eldoret; the Ministry of Education had announced the arrangements on 8 January, Education News reported.