KNEC Releases 2025 KCSE Timetable: Here Are The Official Dates

The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has officially released the timetable for the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations.

According to the schedule from KNEC, the national exams will commence on October 21, 2025, and run for a period of one month, concluding on November 21, 2025.

The exams, which mark a critical milestone in the academic journey of thousands of students, will begin with foreign language subjects, specifically French, Sign Language, and German.

These subjects will set the stage for the rigorous examination period that will test students in a wide range of disciplines.

Following the opening day, practical examinations are scheduled to begin on October 22 and will continue until October 31. The practical assessments will cover subjects that require hands-on skills, such as Home Science, Art and Design, Woodwork, and Metalwork.

These exams are crucial in assessing students’ applied knowledge and technical abilities in their respective subjects. After the practical assessments, students will transition to the written (theory) examinations, which will commence on November 3, 2025.

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The first theory papers of the KCSE exams will be English and Chemistry, with candidates expected to have a four-hour break between the two papers.

On November 4, students will sit for Mathematics, a compulsory subject for all candidates. This will be followed by English Literature, with the two exams set to take two and three hours, respectively.

The examination schedule intensifies on November 5, as students tackle their second Chemistry paper in the morning session. Later in the afternoon, candidates will be required to write their English Composition (essay), an assessment designed to test their creative and analytical writing skills.

The following day, November 6, will see students sit for Kiswahili (Lugha) in the morning, followed by Kiswahili (Fasihi) in the afternoon session. These papers evaluate students’ grasp of Kiswahili grammar, comprehension, and literary appreciation.

As the second week of the exams unfolds, students will tackle various humanities and science subjects. On November 11, the examination day will begin with Christian Religious Education (CRE), testing students’ knowledge of religious principles and values.

Later in the day, candidates will sit for Biology Paper 1, assessing fundamental concepts in the subject.

On November 13, candidates will begin the day with Biology Paper 2, which covers in-depth biological processes and applications.

This will be followed by History and Government in the afternoon session, a subject that evaluates students’ understanding of Kenya’s history and global political developments.

The second week will conclude with the Biology practical examination, in which students will be given one hour and 45 minutes to complete various scientific tests and experiments.

The last stretch of the KCSE examinations will include key subjects such as Geography, Business Studies, and Physics. On November 17, students will begin with Geography Paper 1 in the morning and Physics Paper 1 in the afternoon. Business Studies Paper 1 will also be examined alongside Agriculture Paper 1 on the following day.

On November 20, which marks the penultimate day of the exams, students taking Business Studies will complete their second paper alongside the Agriculture Paper 2.

These exams are critical in assessing candidates’ understanding of economic principles and agricultural practices, both of which are important to Kenya’s economy.

Finally, on November 21, the 2025 KCSE examination period will come to a close with the Physics Paper 3 (practical examination). This session will require students to apply their physics knowledge in conducting experiments, data analysis, and problem-solving.

The KCSE examinations are a significant academic milestone for students in Kenya, as they determine entry into universities, colleges, and various technical institutions.

KNEC has assured students, teachers, and parents that all necessary measures will be in place to ensure a smooth and fair examination process.

The early release of the timetable allows students ample time to prepare adequately and strategize on how to handle the different subjects. Schools are also expected to intensify revision sessions in the months leading up to the exams to ensure candidates are well-prepared.

As the examination period approaches, stakeholders in the education sector will be keen to ensure that students sit for their exams in a secure and conducive environment, free from malpractices and disruptions.

The Ministry of Education, in collaboration with KNEC, is expected to release further guidelines on security measures, exam administration, and candidate preparedness in the coming months.

With the release of the official KCSE timetable, the countdown to the most crucial academic assessment for secondary school students in Kenya has officially begun.

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