The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has announced comprehensive guidelines for the administration of the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination’s new series, set to commence in July 2025.

The initiative aims to provide a second opportunity for eligible candidates, particularly repeaters, adult learners, and those previously unable to sit their exams, to obtain their certifications or improve their grades.

The introduction of the mid-year KCSE exam is part of the government’s broader efforts to increase access to educational opportunities while streamlining exam administration.

Key guidelines for registration

Registration for the July series will begin on Monday, January 27, 2025, and close on Friday, February 21, 2025.

Prospective candidates must register through their respective County Directors of Education (CDEs) via the KNEC registration portal.

Eligible candidates include:

1. Repeaters: Individuals who previously sat the KCSE exams and wish to improve their grades.

2. Full repeaters: Registering for seven or more subjects.

3. Partial repeaters: Registering for fewer than seven subjects.

4. Candidates unable to sit previous exams: Those who missed their initial exam due to unforeseen circumstances, such as illness.

5. Adult learners: Individuals not enrolled in regular schools but possessing primary education qualifications.

6. Regular school learners and first-time KCSE candidates are ineligible for this series.

Requirements for registration

Candidates must provide:

1. National identification (ID card, birth certificate, or passport).

2. Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) certificate.

3. KCSE results slip or certificate for repeaters.

4. A passport-sized photo uploaded in the required format.

5. The registration fee is Ksh7,200, payable through the government’s e-Citizen platform.

Exam administration and projects

Theory and practical papers will be conducted from July to mid-August 2025, while project-based assessments in subjects like Agriculture, Art and Design, and Computer Studies will run from January to July 2025.

Exam centers will be assigned by County Directors of Education.

Candidates must report to Sub-County Directors of Education (SCDEs) for project coordination after registration.

Grading and certification

Grading will follow the existing KCSE standards:

1. Full repeaters (seven or more subjects) will receive KCSE certificates.

2. Partial repeaters (fewer than seven subjects) will receive result slips for the subjects retaken.

3. KNEC emphasized that no late registrations will be accepted after February 21, 2025.

A step forward in educational access

Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Julius Migos Ogamba announced the introduction of the mid-year series of KCSE examinations which he said will take place annually in July.

The CS on January 9, 2025, during the release of 2024 KCSE results at Mitihani House, said that the new examination series would cater to candidates who wish to retake the national exams and those who missed the previous exam due to illness or unforeseen hardships.

In addition, the initiative set to start this year also seeks to consider adult candidates.

“Starting this year, and following extensive stakeholder consultations, I wish to announce that KNEC will introduce a mid-year series of the KCSE examination, to be administered in July every year.

“The examination will target candidates wishing to repeat the KCSE examination, and those who may have missed sitting an examination due to sickness or other unexpected hardships. Adult candidates may also consider registering for the July KCSE series examination,” the CS announced.

According to the CS, the mid-year KCSE series exams will offer an alternative for candidates who might have had to wait until the following year to sit the national examination.