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KNEC KCSE 2025 Final Timetable & Instructions

KNEC KCSE 2025 Final Timetable & Instructions

The Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) is a crucial examination that all students in Kenya must take to progress from secondary school to higher education, whether at a college or university. Therefore, it is vital for Form students to know the start and end dates of the KCSE exams to effectively allocate time for comprehensive preparation. If you’re curious about when the KNEC KCSE exams will take place in 2025, the good news is that KNEC has released the KCSE timetable, outlining the exam dates for each paper.

The KCSE 2025 exams will begin in October and run through November for the written assessments. Meanwhile, the project component of the exams started in January 2025 and will continue for seven months, concluding in July 2025. Schools are required to upload project marks on the KNEC portal by March 31, 2025, for Milestone 1, and by July 31, 2025, for Milestone 2.

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A rehearsal for the exams is scheduled for Friday, October 17, 2025, prior to the official start of the exams the following week. So, what are the specific dates for the 2025 KCSE exams?

Below is a table detailing all the dates, including when each paper will be administered and the time of day.

The final KCSE 2025 Timetable pdf download

January 2025 To July 2025

Paper Code Paper Name Session Duration
442/3 Art and Design (Project) 7 months
443/3 Agriculture (Project) 7 months
444/2 Woodwork (Project) 7 months
445/2 Metalwork (Project) 7 months
446/2 Building Construction (Project) 7 months
451/3 Computer Studies (Project) 7 months

Tuesday 21/10/2025 To Friday 24/10/2025

Paper Code Paper Name Session Duration
501/3 French (Oral) 15 minutes per candidate
502/3 German (Oral) 15 minutes per candidate
504/3 Kenyan Sign Language (Practical Signing Skills) 15 minutes per candidate
511/1 Music (Practical) 15 minutes per candidate

Tuesday 21/10/2025 To Monday 27/10/2025

Paper Code Paper Name Session Duration
503/3 Arabic (Oral) 15 minutes per candidate

Wednesday 22/10/2025

Paper Code Paper Name Session Duration
441/3 Home Science (Foods and Nutrition) – Practical Planning Session 30 minutes
441/3 Home Science (Foods and Nutrition) – Practical Planning Session Large print 30 minutes
441/3 Home Science (Foods and Nutrition) – Practical Planning Session Braille 1 hour

Monday 27/10/2025 To Wednesday 29/10/2025

Paper Code Paper Name Session Duration
441/3 Home Science – Foods and Nutrition (Practical) 1 hour 15 minutes
441/3 Home Science – Foods and Nutrition (Practical) Large Print 1 hour 15 minutes
441/3 Home Science – Foods and Nutrition (Practical) Braille 1 hour 45 minutes

Wednesday 29/10/2025

Paper Code Paper Name Session Duration
501/1 French (Listening Comprehension, Dictation and Creative Writing) 8.00 am – 10.00 am 2 hours
501/1 French (Listening Comprehension, Dictation and Creative Writing) Braille 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
502/1 German (Listening Comprehension and Composition) 8.00 am – 10.00 am 2 hours
503/2 Arabic (Grammar, Reading Comprehension and Composition) 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
503/2 Arabic (Grammar, Reading Comprehension and Composition) Large print 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
504/1 Kenyan Sign Language (Receptive Skills) 8.00 am – 10.00 am 2 hours
511/3 Music 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
511/3 Music Large print 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
511/3 Music Braille 8.00 am – 11.00 am 3 hours
501/2 French (Reading Comprehension, Grammar and Functional Writing) 2.00 pm – 4.15 pm 2 hours 15 minutes
501/2 French (Reading Comprehension, Grammar and Functional Writing) Large print 2.00 pm – 4.15 pm 2 hours 15 minutes
501/2 French (Reading Comprehension, Grammar and Functional Writing) Braille 2.00 pm – 4.45 pm 2 hours 45 minutes
502/2 German (Grammar and Reading Comprehension) 2.00 pm – 4.30 pm 2 hours 30 minutes
502/2 German (Grammar and Reading Comprehension) Large print 2.00 pm – 4.30 pm 2 hours 30 minutes
503/1 Arabic (Listening Comprehension and Dictation) 2.00 pm – 2.50 pm 50 minutes
504/2 Kenyan Sign Language (Language Use) 2.00 pm – 3.30 pm 1 hour 30 minutes
511/2 Music (Aural) 2.00 pm – 2.50 pm 50 minutes

Thursday 30/10/2025

Paper Code Paper Name Session Duration
441/1 Home Science 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
441/1 Home Science Large print 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
441/1 Home Science Braille 8.00 am – 11.00 am 3 hours
442/1 Art and Design 8.00 am – 9.30 am 1 hour 30 minutes
442/1 Art and Design Large print 8.00 am – 9.30 am 1 hour 30 minutes
444/1 Woodwork 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
444/1 Woodwork Large print 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
445/1 Metalwork 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
445/1 Metalwork Large print 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
446/1 Building Construction 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
446/1 Building Construction Large print 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
448/1 Electricity 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
448/1 Electricity Large print 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
450/1 Aviation Technology 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
447/1 Power Mechanics 2.00 pm – 4.30 pm 2 hours 30 minutes
447/1 Power Mechanics Large print 2.00 pm – 4.30 pm 2 hours 30 minutes
449/1 Drawing and Design 2.00 pm – 4.30 pm 2 hours 30 minutes
449/1 Drawing and Design Large print 2.00 pm – 4.30 pm 2 hours 30 minutes
451/1 Computer Studies 2.00 pm – 4.30 pm 2 hours 30 minutes
451/1 Computer Studies Large print 2.00 pm – 4.30 pm 2 hours 30 minutes

Friday 31/10/2025

Paper Code Paper Name Session Duration
441/2 Home Science – Clothing Construction (Practical) 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
441/2 Home Science – Clothing Construction (Practical) Large print 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
441/2 Home Science – Clothing Construction (Practical) Braille 8.00 am – 11.00 am 3 hours
442/2 Art and Design (Practical) 8.00 am – 12.00 noon 4 hours
442/2 Art and Design (Practical) Large print 8.00 am – 12.00 noon 4 hours
447/2 Power Mechanics (Practical) 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
447/2 Power Mechanics (Practical) Large print 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
448/2 Electricity (Practical) 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
448/2 Electricity (Practical) Large print 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
449/2 Drawing and Design (Practical) 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
450/2 Aviation Technology (Practical) 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
451/2 Computer Studies (Practical) 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
451/2 Computer Studies (Practical) Large print 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes

Monday 03/11/2025

Paper Code Paper Name Session Duration
101/1 English (Functional Skills) 8.00 am – 10.00 am 2 hours
101/1 English (Functional Skills) Large Print 8.00 am – 10.00 am 2 hours
101/1 English (Functional Skills) Braille 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
101/1 English (Hearing Impaired) 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
233/1 Chemistry 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm 2 hours
233/1 Chemistry Large print 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm 2 hours

Tuesday 04/11/2025

Paper Code Paper Name Session Duration
121/1 Mathematics Alt. A 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
121/1 Mathematics Alt. A Large Print 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
121/1 Mathematics Alt. A Braille 8.00 am – 11.00 am 3 hours
122/1 Mathematics Alt. B 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
122/1 Mathematics Alt. B Large Print 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
101/2 English (Comprehension, Literary Appreciation & Grammar) 2.00 pm – 4.30 pm 2 hours 30 minutes
101/2 English (Comprehension, Literary Appreciation & Grammar) Large print 2.00 pm – 4.30 pm 2 hours 30 minutes
101/2 English (Comprehension, Literary Appreciation & Grammar) Braille 2.00 pm – 5.00 pm 3 hours
101/2 English (Hearing Impaired) 2.00 pm – 5.00 pm 3 hours

Wednesday 05/11/2025

Paper Code Paper Name Session Duration
233/2 Chemistry 8.00 am – 10.00 am 2 hours
233/2 Chemistry Large print 8.00 am – 10.00 am 2 hours
237/1 General Science 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
237/1 General Science Large print 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
101/3 English (Creative Composition and Essays based on Set Texts) 2.00 pm – 4.30 pm 2 hours 30 minutes
101/3 English (Creative Composition and Essays based on Set Texts) Large print 2.00 pm – 4.30 pm 2 hours 30 minutes
101/3 English (Creative Composition and Essays based on Set Texts) Braille 2.00 pm – 5.00 pm 3 hours
101/3 English (Hearing Impaired) 2.00 pm – 5.00 pm 3 hours

Thursday 06/11/2025

Paper Code Paper Name Session Duration
102/2 Kiswahili (Lugha) 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
102/2 Kiswahili (Lugha) Large print 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
102/2 Kiswahili (Lugha) Braille 8.00 am – 11.00 am 3 hours
102/1 Kiswahili (Insha) 2.00 pm – 3.45 pm 1 hour 45 minutes
102/1 Kiswahili (Insha) Large Print 2.00 pm – 3.45 pm 1 hour 45 minutes
102/1 Kiswahili (Insha) Braille 2.00 pm – 4.15 pm 2 hours 15 minutes

Friday 07/11/2025

Paper Code Paper Name Session Duration
233/3 Chemistry (Practical) 8.00 am – 10.15 am 2 hours 15 minutes
233/3 Chemistry (Practical) Large print 8.00 am – 10.15 am 2 hours 15 minutes

Monday 10/11/2025

Paper Code Paper Name Session Duration
121/2 Mathematics Alt. A 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
121/2 Mathematics Alt. A Large Print 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
121/2 Mathematics Alt. A Braille 8.00 am – 11.00 am 3 hours
122/2 Mathematics Alt. B 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
122/2 Mathematics Alt. B Large Print 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
102/3 Kiswahili (Fasihi) 2.00 pm – 4.30 pm 2 hours 30 minutes
102/3 Kiswahili (Fasihi) Large print 2.00 pm – 4.30 pm 2 hours 30 minutes
102/3 Kiswahili (Fasihi) Braille 2.00 pm – 5.00 pm 3 hours

Tuesday 11/11/2025

Paper Code Paper Name Session Duration
313/1 Christian Religious Education 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
313/1 Christian Religious Education Large print 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
313/1 Christian Religious Education Braille 8.00 am – 11.00 am 3 hours
314/1 Islamic Religious Education 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
314/1 Islamic Religious Education Large print 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
314/1 Islamic Religious Education Braille 8.00 am – 11.00 am 3 hours
315/1 Hindu Religious Education 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
315/1 Hindu Religious Education Large print 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
315/1 Hindu Religious Education Braille 8.00 am – 11.00 am 3 hours
231/1 Biology 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm 2 hours
231/1 Biology Large print 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm 2 hours
236/1 Biology (For the Blind) Braille 2.00 pm – 4.30 pm 2 hours 30 minutes

Wednesday 12/11/2025

Paper Code Paper Name Session Duration
313/2 Christian Religious Education 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
313/2 Christian Religious Education Large print 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
313/2 Christian Religious Education Braille 8.00 am – 11.00 am 3 hours
314/2 Islamic Religious Education 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
314/2 Islamic Religious Education Large print 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
314/2 Islamic Religious Education Braille 8.00 am – 11.00 am 3 hours
315/2 Hindu Religious Education 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
315/2 Hindu Religious Education Large print 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
315/2 Hindu Religious Education Braille 8.00 am – 11.00 am 3 hours
311/1 History and Government 2.00 pm – 4.30 pm 2 hours 30 minutes
311/1 History and Government Large print 2.00 pm – 4.30 pm 2 hours 30 minutes
311/1 History and Government Braille 2.00 pm – 5.00 pm 3 hours

Thursday 13/11/2025

Paper Code Paper Name Session Duration
231/2 Biology 8.00 am – 10.00 am 2 hours
231/2 Biology Large print 8.00 am – 10.00 am 2 hours
236/2 Biology (For the Blind) Braille 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
311/2 History and Government 2.00 pm – 4.30 pm 2 hours 30 minutes
311/2 History and Government Large print 2.00 pm – 4.30 pm 2 hours 30 minutes
311/2 History and Government Braille 2.00 pm – 5.00 pm 3 hours

Friday 14/11/2025

Paper Code Paper Name Session Duration
231/3 Biology (Practical) 8.00 am – 9.45 am 1 hour 45 minutes
231/3 Biology (Practical) Large print 8.00 am – 9.45 am 1 hour 45 minutes
236/3 Biology (Practical for Blind Candidates) Braille 8.00 am – 10.15 am 2 hours 15 minutes

Monday 17/11/2025

Paper Code Paper Name Session Duration
312/1 Geography 8.00 am – 10.45 am 2 hours 45 minutes
312/1 Geography Large print 8.00 am – 10.45 am 2 hours 45 minutes
312/1 Geography Braille 8.00 am – 11.15 am 3 hours 15 minutes
232/1 Physics 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm 2 hours
232/1 Physics Large Print 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm 2 hours
237/2 General Science 2.00 pm – 4.30 pm 2 hours 30 minutes
237/2 General Science Large print 2.00 pm – 4.30 pm 2 hours 30 minutes

Tuesday 18/11/2025

Paper Code Paper Name Session Duration
565/1 Business Studies 8.00 am – 10.00 am 2 hours
565/1 Business Studies Large print 8.00 am – 10.00 am 2 hours
565/1 Business Studies Braille 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
443/1 Agriculture 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm 2 hours
443/1 Agriculture Large print 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm 2 hours
443/1 Agriculture Braille 2.00 pm – 4.30 pm 2 hours 30 minutes

Wednesday 19/11/2025

Paper Code Paper Name Session Duration
312/2 Geography 8.00 am – 10.45 am 2 hours 45 minutes
312/2 Geography Large print 8.00 am – 10.45 am 2 hours 45 minutes
312/2 Geography Braille 8.00 am – 11.15 am 3 hours 15 minutes
232/2 Physics 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm 2 hours
232/2 Physics Large print 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm 2 hours

Thursday 20/11/2025

Paper Code Paper Name Session Duration
565/2 Business Studies 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
565/2 Business Studies Large print 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
565/2 Business Studies Braille 8.00 am – 11.00 am 3 hours
443/2 Agriculture 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm 2 hours
443/2 Agriculture Large print 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm 2 hours
443/2 Agriculture Braille 2.00 pm – 4.30 pm 2 hours 30 minutes

Friday 21/11/2025

Paper Code Paper Name Session Duration
232/3 Physics (Practical) 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes
232/3 Physics (Practical) Large print 8.00 am – 10.30 am 2 hours 30 minutes

KCSE Instructions To All 2025 Candidates

If you are a KCSE candidate in 2025, KNEC has strict guidelines that all students must follow when doing their exams. So, before the official KCSE exam days arrive, you may want to familiarize yourself with these rules to avoid penalties or disqualification.

  • Arrive at the examination center at least 15 minutes before the start time (8:00 a.m. for morning sessions and 2:00 p.m. for afternoon sessions). Latecomers over 30 minutes will only be allowed in exceptional circumstances.
  • Candidates must be searched outside the examination room and seated at their desks before the exam begins.
  • Verify that the question paper matches the subject registered for. If maps or materials are missing, inform the supervisor immediately.
  • Write your name, index number, and signature correctly on the answer booklet. Use black or blue ink (no erasable pens) and pencil only for diagrams.
  • Number answers clearly and follow the question paper’s numbering system. Avoid writing in the margins and leave a blank line after each answer.
  • Do not remove any paper from the examination room. Rough work must be done in the answer booklet and left for collection.
  • Cell phones, unauthorized calculators, and any electronic devices are banned. Possession of these items will result in result cancellation.
  • No communication is allowed between candidates or with outsiders during the exam.
  • Misconduct, such as causing disturbances or attempting to copy, will lead to severe penalties, including result cancellation.
  • Candidates involved in malpractice will have their entire subject results canceled and receive a “Y” grade.
  • Severe cases, such as impersonation or leaking exam material, may result in fines of up to KSh 2 million or imprisonment.

FAQs

Get all answers at the Knec News Portal

Is there the KNEC July series 2025?

No, there will be no Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) KCSE July series in 2025.

Can one resit one subject in KCSE?

Will there be KCSE in 2025?

How do you register KCSE as a private candidate?

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