KCSE Timetable 2026 – KNEC Form 4 Exam Dates (Full Schedule)
Quick answer: The KCSE 2026 examination begins with the rehearsal on Friday 16 October 2026. Orals and practicals (French, German, Arabic, Kenyan Sign Language, Music) run from Monday 19 October, the main written papers start on Wednesday 28 October, and the last paper, Physics Practical, is on Friday 20 November 2026. First-session papers start at 8:00 a.m. and second-session papers at 2:00 p.m. (East Africa Time).
- KCSE 2026 opens with the rehearsal on Friday 16 October; orals and music/KSL practicals follow from Monday 19 October.
- Written papers run from Wednesday 28 October, with the core subjects starting on Monday 2 November (English Paper 1).
- The final paper is Physics Practical (232/3) on Friday 20 November 2026.
- Morning papers start at 8:00 a.m. and afternoon papers at 2:00 p.m. EAT – confirm every paper on the KNEC PDF at knec.ac.ke.
Which KCSE timetable is this?
This is the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) timetable for the 2026 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), sat by Form 4 candidates in October and November 2026. KNEC published it together with the KPSEA and KJSEA timetables and its instructions to candidates and schools. The project papers (Art and Design, Agriculture, Woodwork, Metalwork, Building Construction and Computer Studies) were done earlier in the year, from January to July 2026.
The dates below follow the KNEC timetable as reported in the same way by several Kenyan news outlets. We could not open the KNEC PDF directly during this update, so please confirm every paper on the official link above or with your school before the exam.
KCSE 2026 key dates
| Stage | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| Rehearsal day | 16 Oct 2026 | Friday |
| Orals and music/KSL practicals | 19 – 23 Oct 2026 (Arabic oral to 26 Oct) | Monday – Friday |
| Foods & Nutrition planning session (441/3) | 21 Oct 2026 | Wednesday |
| Foods & Nutrition practical (441/3) | 26 – 28 Oct 2026 | Monday – Wednesday |
| Written papers begin | 28 Oct 2026 | Wednesday |
| English Paper 1 (core subjects begin) | 2 Nov 2026 | Monday |
| Last paper – Physics Practical (232/3) | 20 Nov 2026 | Friday |
KCSE 2026 timetable: languages, technical and creative subjects
| Date | Morning (8:00 a.m.) | Afternoon (2:00 p.m.) |
|---|---|---|
| Wed 28 Oct 2026 | French 501/1 (2 h); German 502/1 (2 h); Arabic 503/2 (2 h 30 min); Kenyan Sign Language 504/1 (2 h); Music 511/3 (2 h 30 min) | French 501/2 (2 h 15 min); German 502/2 (2 h 30 min); Arabic 503/1 (50 min); Kenyan Sign Language 504/2 (1 h 30 min); Music Aural 511/2 (50 min) |
| Thu 29 Oct 2026 | Home Science 441/1, Woodwork 444/1, Metalwork 445/1, Building Construction 446/1, Electricity 448/1, Aviation Technology 450/1 (2 h 30 min each); Art & Design 442/1 (1 h 30 min) | Power Mechanics 447/1, Drawing & Design 449/1, Computer Studies 451/1 (2 h 30 min each) |
| Fri 30 Oct 2026 | Practicals: Clothing Construction 441/2, Power Mechanics 447/2, Electricity 448/2, Drawing & Design 449/2, Aviation Technology 450/2, Computer Studies 451/2 (2 h 30 min each); Art & Design 442/2 (4 h) | – |
KCSE 2026 timetable: main subjects (2 – 20 November)
| Date | Morning (8:00 a.m.) | Afternoon (2:00 p.m.) |
|---|---|---|
| Mon 2 Nov 2026 | English Paper 1 – Functional Skills (101/1), 2 h | Chemistry Paper 1 (233/1), 2 h |
| Tue 3 Nov 2026 | Mathematics Paper 1 – Alt. A (121/1) / Alt. B (122/1), 2 h 30 min | English Paper 2 (101/2), 2 h 30 min |
| Wed 4 Nov 2026 | Chemistry Paper 2 (233/2), 2 h; General Science Paper 1 (237/1), 2 h 30 min | English Paper 3 (101/3), 2 h 30 min |
| Thu 5 Nov 2026 | Kiswahili Paper 2 – Lugha (102/2), 2 h 30 min | Kiswahili Paper 1 – Insha (102/1), 1 h 45 min |
| Fri 6 Nov 2026 | Chemistry Practical (233/3), 2 h 15 min | – |
| Mon 9 Nov 2026 | Mathematics Paper 2 – Alt. A (121/2) / Alt. B (122/2), 2 h 30 min | Kiswahili Paper 3 – Fasihi (102/3), 2 h 30 min |
| Tue 10 Nov 2026 | CRE (313/1), IRE (314/1), HRE (315/1) Paper 1, 2 h 30 min | Biology Paper 1 (231/1), 2 h |
| Wed 11 Nov 2026 | Religious Education Paper 2 (CRE / IRE / HRE) | History and Government Paper 1, 2 h 30 min |
| Thu 12 Nov 2026 | Biology Paper 2, 2 h | History and Government Paper 2, 2 h 30 min |
| Fri 13 Nov 2026 | Biology Practical (231/3), 1 h 45 min | – |
| Mon 16 Nov 2026 | Geography Paper 1, 2 h 45 min | Physics Paper 1, 2 h / General Science Paper 2, 2 h 30 min |
| Tue 17 Nov 2026 | Business Studies Paper 1, 2 h | Agriculture Paper 1, 2 h |
| Wed 18 Nov 2026 | Geography Paper 2, 2 h 45 min | Physics Paper 2, 2 h |
| Thu 19 Nov 2026 | Business Studies Paper 2, 2 h 30 min | Agriculture Paper 2, 2 h |
| Fri 20 Nov 2026 | Physics Practical (232/3), 2 h 30 min – last KCSE paper | – |
Large-print and Braille versions of most papers are sat in the same session with extra time (usually 30 minutes more). Biology for blind candidates (236) is in the same slots as Biology. Check the official PDF for the exact time allowed for your version.
Orals and practicals before the written papers
- 19 – 23 October: French oral (501/3), German oral (502/3), Kenyan Sign Language practical signing skills (504/3), Music practical (511/1).
- 19 – 26 October: Arabic oral (503/3), about 15 minutes per candidate.
- 21 October: Foods & Nutrition planning session (441/3), 30 minutes.
- 26 – 28 October: Foods & Nutrition practical (441/3), 1 hour 15 minutes.
Related schedules
See all Kenya exam dates on our Kenya exam timetable hub. Other international timetables: GCSE & A-level exam timetable 2027, Cambridge O & A level Nov 2026, SPM timetable 2026 (Malaysia) and SAT test dates 2026–27.
Frequently asked questions
When does KCSE 2026 start?
The KCSE 2026 rehearsal is on Friday 16 October 2026. Orals and practicals begin on Monday 19 October and the main written papers begin on Wednesday 28 October 2026.
When does KCSE 2026 end?
The last paper is the Physics Practical (232/3) on Friday 20 November 2026.
What time do KCSE papers start?
First-session papers start at 8:00 a.m. and second-session papers start at 2:00 p.m., East Africa Time.
When is KCSE 2026 English Paper 1?
English Paper 1 (Functional Skills, 101/1) is on Monday 2 November 2026 in the morning session.
When are the KCSE 2026 Maths papers?
Mathematics Paper 1 is on Tuesday 3 November and Paper 2 on Monday 9 November 2026, both in the morning.
Where can I download the KCSE timetable 2026 PDF?
The official PDF is on the KNEC website, knec.ac.ke, under Timetables and Instructions. Use the download button below.
When are the KCSE 2026 science practicals?
Chemistry Practical (233/3) is on Friday 6 November, Biology Practical (231/3) on Friday 13 November and Physics Practical (232/3) on Friday 20 November 2026, all in the morning session.
When are the KCSE 2026 Kiswahili papers?
Kiswahili Paper 2 (Lugha) is on Thursday 5 November in the morning and Paper 1 (Insha) that afternoon. Paper 3 (Fasihi) is on Monday 9 November 2026 in the afternoon.
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Download official KCSE 2026 timetable (KNEC PDF)
Datesheets.com is an independent website and is not linked to KNEC. The timetable above is taken from the KNEC 2026 KCSE timetable as published and reported; KNEC can change dates. Always confirm with the official PDF on knec.ac.ke and your school.