The 2026 KJSEA timetable places the written assessment from Monday, 26 October to Friday, 30 October 2026, after rehearsal on Friday, 23 October. KPSEA runs from 26 to 28 October, while the KCSE examination programme runs from 19 October to 20 November after rehearsal on 16 October. Download the current KNEC files below because paper times, special-needs versions, projects and practicals differ.
Official sources checked
| Source | Checked | Official link |
|---|---|---|
| Timetables and Instructions | 27 July 2026 | Open source |
| Revised 2026 KJSEA Timetable & Instructions | 27 July 2026 | Open PDF |
| 2026 KPSEA Timetable, Instructions & Guidelines | 27 July 2026 | Open PDF |
| 2026 KCSE Examination Timetable, Instructions and Guidelines | 27 July 2026 | Open PDF |
| KJSEA Regulations | 27 July 2026 | Open PDF |
| Guidelines on Conduct of 2026 KCSE Group IV and V Subjects | 27 July 2026 | Open guidance |
Table of Contents
2026 KNEC exam timetable dates at a glance
| Assessment | Rehearsal | Main timetable window | First-session time |
|---|---|---|---|
| KJSEA | Friday, 23 October 2026 | Monday, 26 October–Friday, 30 October 2026 | 8.30 a.m. |
| KPSEA | Friday, 23 October 2026 | Monday, 26 October–Wednesday, 28 October 2026 | 8.30 a.m. |
| KCSE | Friday, 16 October 2026 | Monday, 19 October–Friday, 20 November 2026 | 8.00 a.m.; second sessions normally start at 2.00 p.m. |
This table is a planning summary, not a substitute for the full timetable. The KJSEA timetable, KPSEA timetable and KCSE timetable must each be checked as a separate official file. Schools should print the complete file for each assessment because the KJSEA timetable and the other files contain paper codes, durations, breaks, adapted papers and candidate instructions. Some project, oral and practical components take place before the dates shown as the main written-assessment window.
KJSEA timetable 2026: revised dates and project windows
The current official KJSEA file is labelled “Revised 2026 KJSEA Timetable & Instructions.” It schedules rehearsal for Friday, 23 October 2026 and the written papers from Monday, 26 October to Friday, 30 October 2026. First-session papers start at 8.30 a.m.
- Project period: the timetable includes project activities before the written assessment, including windows from May to July. Use the subject-specific dates in the revised PDF.
- Rehearsal: Friday, 23 October 2026.
- Written papers: Monday, 26 October to Friday, 30 October 2026.
- Start time: first sessions begin at 8.30 a.m.; later sessions follow the exact time printed against each paper.
Do not rely on a KJSEA timetable image shared in a WhatsApp group or an older school notice. KNEC has retained the same download address while labelling the current KJSEA document as revised. A saved copy can therefore become outdated even when its filename looks familiar.
Honest limitation: this page does not reproduce every KJSEA paper and duration. The revised KNEC PDF is the controlling document, especially for adapted papers and project instructions.
KPSEA timetable 2026: rehearsal and assessment dates
The 2026 KPSEA timetable schedules rehearsal for Friday, 23 October 2026. The assessment then runs for three days, from Monday, 26 October to Wednesday, 28 October 2026. Morning sessions start at 8.30 a.m.
- Friday, 23 October: rehearsal day.
- Monday, 26 October: Day 1.
- Tuesday, 27 October: Day 2.
- Wednesday, 28 October: Day 3 and the end of the timetable window.
The official timetable includes the sequence of papers, paper durations and versions for candidates with specific access needs. Teachers and parents should avoid converting the timetable into a simplified home schedule without checking the original, because a learner’s reporting time depends on the actual paper and centre instructions.
KCSE timetable 2026: rehearsal, practicals and written papers
The 2026 KCSE programme has rehearsal on Friday, 16 October 2026. Oral, signing, music and other practical or planning components begin from Monday, 19 October. The timetable continues through the main written papers and ends on Friday, 20 November 2026.
| KCSE stage | 2026 date | What schools should check |
|---|---|---|
| Rehearsal | Friday, 16 October | Candidate briefing, rooms, attendance and timetable confirmation |
| Oral and selected practical components begin | Monday, 19 October | Candidate-specific schedules and subject instructions |
| Late-October papers and practicals | From Wednesday, 28 October | Technical, practical and planning-session requirements |
| Main November written-paper period | Monday, 2 November onward | Morning and afternoon sessions for each registered subject |
| Final scheduled paper | Friday, 20 November | Use the final page of the official timetable for the exact paper |
KCSE first-session papers start at 8.00 a.m., while second-session papers start at 2.00 p.m. unless the timetable states otherwise. The printed duration includes reading time except where a paper gives a different instruction. Schools offering Group IV and V subjects should also use KNEC’s separate 2026 conduct guidelines for projects and practical work.
Official KNEC timetable PDF downloads
Use the KNEC domain for every download, including the KJSEA timetable. The KNEC Timetables and Instructions page is the safest starting point because it lists the current files together.
| File | Official download | Status checked |
|---|---|---|
| Revised 2026 KJSEA Timetable & Instructions | Download from KNEC | Current file labelled revised |
| 2026 KPSEA Timetable, Instructions & Guidelines | Download from KNEC | Current 2026 file |
| 2026 KCSE Examination Timetable, Instructions and Guidelines | Download from KNEC | Current 2026 file |
| KJSEA Regulations | Read KNEC regulations | Current supporting document |
| 2026 KCSE Group IV and V conduct guidelines | Open KNEC guidance | Current subject guidance |
After downloading the KJSEA timetable or another assessment file, check the cover title, year, assessment name and any word such as revised or updated. Save the file using a clear local name, but keep the original KNEC URL in your staff notice so colleagues can recheck the source.
How to confirm a revised KNEC timetable
A KJSEA timetable or other KNEC timetable revision can affect a paper date, sequence, duration or instruction. Use this check before printing notices or building a school examination calendar.
- Open the official KNEC timetable page, not a forwarded file.
- Select the correct assessment and year.
- Read the document title on the first page and note whether it says revised or updated.
- Compare the issue code or visible revision wording with the copy held by the school.
- Check KNEC’s Circulars and Guidelines page for related instructions.
- Replace old printed copies and communicate only the changed item, while attaching the full official file.
Fresh portal check: on 27 July 2026, KNEC’s timetable hub listed 2026 files for KCSE, KJSEA and KPSEA. The KJSEA download itself was labelled revised. This is why the live KNEC page should be checked again close to the assessment period.
School preparation checklist before national assessments
- Download the current timetable directly from KNEC and record the date checked.
- Print a complete copy for the head of institution, examination office and staff briefing point.
- Prepare a candidate-by-candidate schedule for oral, practical, adapted and optional papers.
- Confirm that room plans, reporting arrangements and supervision duties match the official session times.
- Brief candidates that phones and other electronic communication devices are prohibited in assessment or examination centres.
- Use the official duration printed against each paper; do not add time unless the paper or approved access arrangement provides it.
- Keep project, practical and mark-upload instructions separate from the main written timetable.
- Recheck the KNEC timetable and circular pages before issuing a final parent notice.
For learner records, registration and school-based assessment work, use the KNEC CBA portal guide. The timetable does not replace portal instructions or a centre-specific KNEC circular.
Candidate and parent checklist
- Use the KJSEA timetable or other timetable issued by the registered school or assessment centre and compare it with the official KNEC PDF.
- Mark every registered paper, including practical, oral or project-related dates.
- Confirm the reporting time with the school; do not assume every paper begins at the first-session time.
- Prepare permitted writing and drawing materials according to school instructions.
- Do not carry a mobile phone or electronic communication device into the centre.
- Report any timetable mismatch to the school early instead of relying on social-media comments.
After KCSE, candidates and schools can use our KCSE results portal guide when KNEC opens the relevant results service. Grade 9 families can also follow the KJSEA Grade 10 placement guide for the next stage after assessment and placement announcements.
What to do when timetable dates conflict
| Problem | Correct action | Do not |
|---|---|---|
| A social-media image differs from the KNEC PDF | Use the current file on knec.ac.ke and alert the school | Forward the image as confirmed information |
| The school has two printed versions | Compare titles, revision wording and the official live download | Choose the newer-looking print without checking |
| A learner cannot find an optional or adapted paper | Ask the examination office to check the full timetable and registration record | Infer the date from the standard paper |
| The KNEC page is temporarily unavailable | Use the school’s last verified official copy, then recheck the KNEC page | Use an unknown mirror as the final authority |
Where a conflict remains, the head of institution should use the official KNEC communication route and the examination administration chain available to the centre. Do not publish or circulate an inferred correction.
Related TeachersKE guides
- KNEC portals and examination services guide
- KNEC CBA portal login and assessment uploads
- KCSE results portal and result slips
- KJSEA Grade 10 placement results guide
- Senior School and Grade 10 selection, pathways and placement
Frequently asked questions
When will KJSEA 2026 start?
KJSEA rehearsal is on Friday, 23 October 2026. The written assessment starts on Monday, 26 October and ends on Friday, 30 October 2026. Project activities appear earlier in the revised official timetable.
When will KPSEA 2026 be done?
KPSEA rehearsal is on Friday, 23 October 2026. The assessment runs from Monday, 26 October to Wednesday, 28 October 2026.
When does KCSE 2026 begin and end?
KCSE rehearsal is on Friday, 16 October 2026. Scheduled oral, practical and examination papers begin from Monday, 19 October, and the timetable ends on Friday, 20 November 2026.
What time do the 2026 KNEC papers start?
KJSEA and KPSEA first sessions start at 8.30 a.m. KCSE first sessions start at 8.00 a.m. and second sessions at 2.00 p.m. Always use the exact time printed against the learner’s paper.
Is the 2026 KJSEA timetable revised?
Yes. The current official KNEC file checked on 27 July 2026 is titled “Revised 2026 KJSEA Timetable & Instructions.” Schools should replace older copies with the current file from KNEC.
Where can I download the official KNEC timetables?
Download them from the KNEC Timetables and Instructions page or use the direct KNEC PDF links in this guide. Confirm that the web address ends in knec.ac.ke.
