The Kenya National Examinations Council has released the official timetable for the 2026 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examinations across the country. The national exams will start on October 19 and end on November 20.
Education officials say the timetable gives schools and candidates enough time to prepare for the national examinations. Teachers have also started guiding students on revision plans using the newly released schedule.
KCSE Exams to Begin With Languages and Creative Subjects
The examinations will begin on October 19 with French, German, Sign Language and Music papers. These subjects will mark the official start of the national examination period.
Practical examinations will follow shortly after the opening papers. Candidates will sit for practicals in Home Science, Art and Design, Building Construction, Electricity and French.
These practical tests will take place between October 21 and October 26. Schools will organize the sessions according to instructions issued by examination officials.
Theory Exams Begin With English and Chemistry
Theory examinations will start on November 2 with English and Chemistry papers. Each subject will run for two hours during the first examination day.
Students will receive a three-hour and thirty-minute break between the two examinations. This gap will allow candidates enough time to rest and prepare for the next paper.
Learners will sit for the first Mathematics paper on November 3. The examination will last for two hours and thirty minutes.
Candidates will later sit for the English Grammar paper starting at 2 pm. This paper will test language structure and comprehension skills.
Chemistry, Kiswahili and Mathematics Papers Continue
The second Chemistry paper will take place on November 4 in the morning session. The paper will last two hours before students break for lunch.
English Composition and Essay will follow in the afternoon session. The exam will start at 2 pm and end at 4.30 pm.
Students will sit for Kiswahili Lugha paper on November 5. The exam will start at 8 am and finish at 10.30 am.
Candidates will then complete the Kiswahili Insha paper later in the afternoon. This examination will begin at 2 pm and end at 4.15 pm.
Second Week Features Major Core Subjects
The second week will begin on November 9 with the second Mathematics paper. Students will complete this paper during the morning session.
Kiswahili Fasihi will follow in the afternoon session on the same day. The literature paper will test understanding of Kiswahili texts.
Students will take Religious Education papers on November 10 in the morning session. Biology Paper One will follow later in the afternoon.
Candidates will sit for the second Religious Education paper on November 11. History and Government will follow later in the afternoon session.
Biology Paper Two will take place on November 12 in the morning. Students will later sit for the second History and Government paper.
Biology practical examinations will conclude the second week of tests. Each candidate will complete the practical within one hour and forty-five minutes.
Final Week Ends With Science and Humanities
Geography Paper One will begin the final examination week on November 16. Physics Paper One will follow later in the afternoon.
Students will sit for Business Studies on November 17 in the morning session. Agriculture will follow in the afternoon session.
Geography Paper Two will take place on November 18 in the morning. Physics Paper Two will follow in the afternoon session.
Agriculture and Business Studies candidates will complete their second papers on November 19. These exams will take place during the morning and afternoon sessions.
The examination period will end on November 20 with Physics practical tests. Each candidate will complete the practical within two hours and thirty minutes.
About The Author
