The Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) practical examinations are nearing completion. The KCSE written papers are set to start on November 2. A total of 1,206,028 Grade 9 candidates are sitting the 2026 KJSEA, while a record 1,048,355 candidates are taking the KCSE examination. This year's candidature has crossed the one-million mark for the first time.
The Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) ended on Wednesday, paving the way for 1,206,028 Grade 6 learners to transition to Junior school in January 2027. The combined candidature for the 2026 KJSEA and KCSE stands at 2,254,383 out of the total 3,634,846 candidates registered for the three national assessments and examinations, including KPSEA. This is the largest number of candidates ever handled by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) in a single examination cycle.
KJSEA candidates will sit three papers on Thursday, with the examinations scheduled to run from 8:30 am to 4:10 pm, including a 30-minute tea break and a 50-minute lunch break. The first paper will be Integrated Science, lasting one hour and 40 minutes for regular candidates and two hours and 10 minutes for candidates using Braille. The papers are part of the assessment for Grade 9 learners.
After the first break, KJSEA candidates will sit Social Studies, which will run for one hour and 30 minutes for regular candidates and two hours for those using Braille. The final paper will be Creative Arts and Sports, lasting one hour and 40 minutes for regular candidates and two hours and 10 minutes for candidates using Braille. The practical examinations have been ongoing.
KCSE candidates, on the other hand, will sit practical examinations in morning and afternoon sessions. The morning session will run from 8 am to 10:30 am, while the afternoon session is scheduled for 2 pm to 4:30 pm. Each practical examination will last two hours and 30 minutes, except Home Science for candidates using Braille, which will take three hours.
The morning practical examinations for KCSE will cover Home Science, Art and Design, Woodwork, Metalwork, Building Construction, Electricity, and Aviation Technology. In the afternoon, candidates will sit Power Mechanics, Drawing and Design, and Computer Studies. The examinations are being administered by the Kenya National Examinations Council.
The written KCSE examinations are set to start on November 2, marking a significant milestone in the assessment of Form Four learners. With over 1 million candidates, this year's KCSE examination is the largest ever. The Kenya National Examinations Council has put in place measures to ensure the smooth administration of the examinations.
Key points
- KCSE written papers start on November 2
- Over 1 million candidates sit KCSE examination
- Practical examinations near completion for KJSEA and KCSE
