More than 996,000 candidates will officially begin their Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, marking the start of one of the most important academic seasons in the country.

In a statement shared on its official website on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) announced that the national exams will begin with oral and practical papers before the written sessions commence in early November.

“THE KENYA NATIONAL EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL (KCSE) TIMETABLE

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PAPER — 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

503/3 Arabic (Oral) — 15 minutes per candidate

Best Wishes,” KNEC stated.

The early sessions, which feature languages and practicals, will pave the way for theory papers that begin on November 3, 2025, starting with English and Chemistry.

According to the timetable, Mathematics and English Literature will follow on November 4, 2025 while the second Chemistry paper and English essay are scheduled for November 5. Each paper has been spaced depending on its duration, with sessions set for morning and afternoon across the country.

On Thursday, November 6, 2025, students will take Kiswahili (Lugha) in the morning and Kiswahili (Fasihi) in the afternoon, marking the end of the first week of theory papers.

The second week begins on November 11, 2025 with Christian Religious Education, followed by Biology Paper 1 in the afternoon. Biology Paper 2 will be done on November 13, alongside History and Government in the afternoon. Biology practicals will close the week.

Optional papers like Geography, Physics, Business Studies, and Agriculture will be examined between November 18 and 21, 2025 with the last paper being Physics Paper 3.

As the exams begin, KNEC has extended its best wishes to all candidates, emphasising fairness and preparedness. “Best wishes,” the council added, encouraging students to remain focused throughout the national exercise.

The 2025 KCSE will mark another crucial milestone for learners under the current 8-4-4 system, as Kenya transitions fully to the Competency-Based Curriculum in the coming years.