KNEC Opens Registration for July 2025 KCSE Exams for Private Candidates

• Jan 26, 2025

The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has officially opened registration for the July 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination series. This special series is designed to accommodate private candidates, repeaters, and adult learners who wish to improve their academic performance. Registration for this series is open from January 27 to February 21, 2025.

Candidates seeking to register for the July series will need to pay a registration fee of Sh7,200 through the e-Citizen platform. Payment is mandatory for successful registration, as emphasized by KNEC's CEO, David Njengere, in a circular dated January 20, 2025. All registration procedures must be completed via the KNEC portal, which will be managed at the KNEC Headquarters in Nairobi.

This new KCSE series is targeted at specific groups of learners. These include repeaters who wish to improve their KCSE scores, those who were unable to sit for previous exams due to reasons like illness, and adult learners who have completed primary education but are not enrolled in regular schools. Private candidates who meet these qualifications can register for the exam. However, students attending regular schools and those who are taking the KCSE for the first time are not eligible for this series.

To register, candidates must present several documents, including a statutory identification (ID, birth certificate, or passport), a copy of their KCPE certificate, KCSE certificates or result slips for repeaters, and a recent passport-size photograph. It is important to note that late registrations will not be accepted after February 21, 2025, as KNEC has made it clear that no exceptions will be made for missed deadlines.

The July 2025 KCSE will feature both project-based and theory/practical exams. Project work for subjects like Art and Design, Agriculture, Woodwork, and Computer Studies will take place between January and July 2025. Theory and practical exams will follow from July 1 to August 1, 2025. Candidates will take their exams at centers assigned by the County Directors of Education (CDEs), and they will need to present proof of eligibility, such as their ID or birth certificate, to access examination centers.

Candidates who repeat seven or more subjects will receive a full KCSE certificate, while those repeating fewer subjects will receive a result slip. KNEC has advised candidates to carefully review their registration details to avoid any errors, especially concerning personal information and subject selections.