The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has officially released the timetable for the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) oral and practical examinations, marking the official start of this year’s national exam season.
According to the schedule, the first phase of the KCSE exams will run from Tuesday, October 21, 2025, to Monday, October 27, 2025, covering language oral tests and music practicals. The listed papers include French (501/3), German (502/3), Kenyan Sign Language (504/3), Arabic (503/3) and Music (511/1).
Each candidate will sit for a 15-minute assessment, testing oral proficiency, pronunciation and communication skills for language subjects. For Music and Kenyan Sign Language, the tests will focus on practical performance and signing abilities, respectively.
KNEC emphasised that all schools must strictly adhere to the timetable and ensure that candidates are examined within the stipulated period. Examiners, supervisors and invigilators have been briefed to maintain high standards of integrity and fairness throughout the examination process.
“The early sessions, which feature languages and practicals, will pave the way for written papers that begin in November,” the council stated, reaffirming its commitment to transparency and credibility.
This early phase serves as a precursor to the written papers, which will commence on Monday, November 3, 2025, starting with English and Chemistry. The following day, candidates will tackle Mathematics and English Literature, while Kiswahili Lugha and Fasihi will conclude the first week of theory papers on Thursday, November 6, 2025.
In the second week, students will sit for Christian Religious Education, Biology and History and Government, followed by optional subjects such as Geography, Physics, Business Studies and Agriculture between November 18 and 21, 2025. The final paper, Physics Paper 3, will mark the close of this year’s KCSE exams.
KNEC Chief Executive Officer David Njengere extended his best wishes to the 996,000 candidates sitting for the exams, urging them to stay focused and uphold discipline.
“We wish all candidates the very best as they begin this crucial stage of their academic journey,” Njengere said, assuring Kenyans of the council’s readiness and fairness in administering the exams.
The Education Cabinet Secretary, Julius Migos, also lauded KNEC’s preparedness, confirming that exam materials had been distributed to regional centers and that security protocols were in place nationwide.
This year’s KCSE marks another critical milestone under the 8-4-4 education system, as Kenya transitions fully to the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). Education stakeholders have termed the 2025 cohort as one of the last under the outgoing system.
KNEC further urged candidates to remain calm and confident as they begin their examination.
“We encourage all students to remain calm, confident and focused as they begin their exams. Success comes with preparation and integrity.”
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