According to the official examination timetable, the main KCSE written exams will begin on Monday, November 2, with English Paper 1 in the morning and Chemistry Paper 1 in the afternoon.
The examination period will end on Friday, November 20, when candidates will sit Physics Paper 3, a practical examination.
Before the written papers begin, candidates taking selected subjects will sit oral and practical examinations. These include French, German, Arabic, Kenyan Sign Language, Music and Home Science.
KNEC has also set Friday, October 16, as the rehearsal day ahead of the examinations.
KCSE 2026 examination timetable for October
The first scheduled examinations cover oral assessments, practical work and papers in selected technical and optional subjects.
French Oral, German Oral, Kenyan Sign Language Practical Signing Skills and Music Practical are scheduled between Monday, October 19, and Friday, October 23. Arabic Oral will run from Monday, October 19, to Monday, October 26.
On Wednesday, October 21, Home Science candidates will undertake the Foods and Nutrition Practical Planning Session.
The Home Science Foods and Nutrition Practical examination will take place between Monday, October 26, and Wednesday, October 28.
On Wednesday, October 28, candidates will sit French Paper 1, German Paper 1, Arabic Paper 2, Kenyan Sign Language Paper 1 and Music Paper 3 in the morning session. The afternoon session will feature French Paper 2, German Paper 2, Arabic Paper 1, Kenyan Sign Language Paper 2 and Music Paper 2.
On Thursday, October 29, candidates will sit papers in Home Science, Art and Design, Woodwork, Metalwork, Building Construction, Electricity, and Aviation Technology in the morning.
Candidates will sit Power Mechanics, Drawing and Design, and Computer Studies in the afternoon.
On Friday, October 30, candidates will sit Home Science Clothing Construction Practical, Art and Design Practical, Power Mechanics Practical, Electricity Practical, Drawing and Design Practical, Aviation Technology Practical and Computer Studies Practical.
When will English, Mathematics and Kiswahili papers be examined?
English will be examined over three days, beginning Monday, November 2.
English Paper 1, covering Functional Skills, will run from 8 am to 10 am. On Tuesday, November 3, candidates will sit English Paper 2, covering Comprehension, Literary Appreciation and Grammar, from 2 pm to 4.30 pm.
English Paper 3, covering Creative Composition and Essays Based on Set Texts, is scheduled for Wednesday, November 4, from 2 pm to 4.30 pm.
Mathematics Alternative A Paper 1 and Mathematics Alternative B Paper 1 will be examined on Tuesday, November 3, from 8 am to 10.30 am.
The second mathematics papers are scheduled for Monday, November 9, at the same time.
Kiswahili Paper 2 (Lugha) will take place on Thursday, November 5, from 8 am to 10.30 am. Kiswahili Paper 1 (Insha) will follow in the afternoon from 2 pm to 3.45 pm.
Kiswahili Paper 3 (Fasihi) is scheduled for Monday, November 9, from 2 pm to 4.30 pm.
Chemistry and Biology examination dates
Chemistry Paper 1 will be examined on Monday, November 2, from 2 pm to 4 pm. Chemistry Paper 2 will be examined on Wednesday, November 4, from 8 am to 10 am.
Chemistry Paper 3, the practical examination, is scheduled for Friday, November 6, from 8 am to 10.15 am.
Biology Paper 1 will take place on Tuesday, November 10, from 2 pm to 4 pm, while Biology Paper 2 is scheduled for Thursday, November 12, from 8 am to 10 am.
Candidates will sit Biology Paper 3, the practical examination, on Friday, November 13, from 8 am to 9.45 am.
History, Geography and Physics timetable
History and Government Paper 1 is scheduled for Wednesday, November 11, from 2 pm to 4.30 pm. Paper 2 will follow on Thursday, November 12, from 2 pm to 4.30 pm.
Geography Paper 1 will be examined on Monday, November 16, from 8 am to 10.45 am. Geography Paper 2 is scheduled for Wednesday, November 18, at the same time.
Physics Paper 1 will take place on Monday, November 16, from 2 pm to 4 pm. Paper 2 follows on Wednesday, November 18, from 2 pm to 4 pm.
Physics Paper 3, the practical examination, will be the final paper on Friday, November 20, from 8 am to 10.30 am.
Business Studies and Agriculture examination dates
KCSE Business Studies Paper 1 will be examined on Tuesday, November 17, from 8 am to 10 am. Paper 2 is scheduled for Thursday, November 19, from 8 am to 10.30 am.
Agriculture Paper 1 will take place on Tuesday, November 17, from 2 pm to 4 pm. Agriculture Paper 2 follows on Thursday, November 19, from 2 pm to 4 pm.
Religious Education and General Science papers
Christian Religious Education Paper 1, Islamic Religious Education Paper 1 and Hindu Religious Education Paper 1 will be examined on Tuesday, November 10, from 8 am to 10.30 am.
The second papers for the three religious education subjects are scheduled for Wednesday, November 11, at the same time.
General Science Paper 1 will take place on Wednesday, November 4, from 8 am to 10.30 am, while Paper 2 is scheduled for Monday, November 16, from 2 pm to 4.30 pm.
KNEC has directed that the first examination session begins at 8 am and the second session at 2 pm, as indicated on the timetable.
The council has also stated that candidates must observe the time allocated to each paper. No extra time should be allowed, and where the time printed on the question paper differs from the timetable, candidates and examination officials should follow the time stated on the question paper.
Reading time is included in the duration indicated on the question paper unless special instructions state otherwise.
The examination schedule also provides separate durations for candidates using large-print or Braille papers and those taking examinations under special arrangements.
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