Registration for 2025 KCSE Exam Begins – KNEC Issues New Guidelines
The Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) has officially opened registration for the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams. The registration process began on February 17 and will run until March 28, 2025, as announced in a circular sent to school principals and sub-county education directors.
This year’s registration will take place entirely online, with all schools required to access the KNEC portal at www.knec-portal.ac.ke using their examination center login credentials. KNEC emphasized that the exercise must be completed by school authorities, who bear the responsibility for registering their students.
In the circular, KNEC underscored the importance of adhering to the registration guidelines and warned against illegal practices such as registering non-existent candidates. The inclusion of “ghost candidates” in the registration system is strictly prohibited and considered an act of exam malpractice, punishable by severe sanctions. Schools found guilty of this misconduct risk being de-registered as official KNEC examination centers.
The notice also outlined the necessary steps for candidates to ensure their registration is successful. Candidates must confirm the accuracy of their personal details, including gender, birth date, citizenship, and their subjects. Additionally, they are required to upload a passport-size photograph (300 x 300 pixels) that will become part of their official examination records. Once the registration period closes, no changes will be allowed, making it critical for candidates to verify their information.
KNEC also reminded schools and candidates to follow the specific subject entry requirements and guidelines set out in the KNEC Rules and Regulations (2015) and the KCSE Examination User Guide (2nd Edition, 2024). These documents, which include detailed instructions on subject selection and grading, are available on the KNEC website.
Special needs candidates must accurately select their category during registration, with specific provisions made for those requiring Braille or Large Print papers. Visually impaired candidates should indicate whether they require “B” for Braille or “LV” for Large Print to ensure appropriate accommodations during the exams.
This online registration marks a critical step towards ensuring smooth administration of the 2025 KCSE exams. Schools are encouraged to complete the process early and ensure that all candidates are correctly registered to avoid any issues come exam time.
