KNEC: No late registration for 2026 KCSE exam

KNEC/FILE

The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has warned that there will be no late registration for candidates intending to sit the 2026 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination, urging schools and private candidates to complete the process before the March 31 deadline.

In a notice, KNEC stated that registration for the 2026 national examination began on February 16 and will officially close on March 31, with no extension expected after the deadline.

“The clock is ticking on the registration of candidates for the 2026 KCSE examination. Please note that there will be no late registration,” KNEC stated.

The council noted that the 2026 KCSE will be the second-last national examination administered under the outgoing 8-4-4 education system before the country fully transitions to the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).

“This is the second last KCSE examination as we transition to the Competency Based Education. Therefore, candidates only have two chances left to sit the examination,” KNEC stated.

Candidates may register either as regular school candidates or as private candidates. Those seeking to sit the examination privately have been advised to visit the nearest Sub-County Director of Education office to complete the registration process.

Private candidates will also be required to pay an examination fee of Sh7,200 directly to KNEC through the eCitizen platform.

KNEC further stated that private candidates will sit their theory and practical papers at designated examination centres located at county headquarters, which will be identified by County Directors of Education.

“Private candidates will sit their theory and practical papers at the county headquarters in examination centres to be identified by the County Directors of Education,” KNEC stated.

The council added that project-based assessments for private candidates will be administered at the sub-county level in centres to be identified by the respective Sub-County Directors of Education.

The KCSE examination has been Kenya’s main secondary school national examination for decades and determines learners’ transition to universities, colleges, and technical institutions.

However, the country is gradually phasing out the 8-4-4 system following the rollout of the Competency-Based Curriculum, which focuses on skills development, creativity, and practical learning rather than purely academic performance.

The final KCSE examination is expected to be administered in 2027 as the education system fully adopts the CBC structure.