The Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) has opened registration for the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exam.

According to a circular released on Tuesday addressed to sub-county directors of education and school principals, the registration commenced on February 17 and will run until March 28, 2025.

“The registration of candidates wishing to sit the 2025 KCSE examination is scheduled to commence on February 17, 2025 and end on March 28, 2025,” KNEC Chief Executive Officer David Njegere said.

The examination body maintained that the exercise will strictly be conducted online through the KNEC portal, www.knec-portal.ac.ke.

Schools and examination centers are required to log into the KNEC registration portal using their credentials to submit candidates’ details.

KNEC also outlined strict guidelines for the registration process, warning institutions against presenting ineligible candidates.

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“Heads of institutions will be responsible for the registration of their candidates. They must ensure that all candidates presented for the examination are eligible, as the registration of ghost candidates constitutes an examination malpractice that attracts sanctions, including the de-registration of the school as a KNEC examination centre,” the council said.

Students sitting the 2025 KCSE must meet the stipulated subject entry requirements as outlined in the KNEC Rules and Regulations (2015) and the User Guide for the Management of KCSE Examination (2nd Edition 2024), both of which are accessible on the KNEC website.

Additionally, candidates are required to upload passport-size photographs, which cannot be changed once the registration period closes.

KNEC further instructed that the registration data for all candidates must be accurate, including their names as they appear on the KCPE examination certificate, gender, year of birth, citizenship, and entry codes for first, second, or third attempts.

Private candidates, including those repeating the KCSE exam, will register at the Sub-County Directors of Education (SCDEs) offices.

“Any candidate wishing to repeat the exam will be allowed to do so, regardless of the year they previously sat the KCSE examination, provided they have proof of prior registration,” KNEC stated.

According to the council, the government will cover examination fees for candidates in public and private schools, except for repeaters, non-Kenyan candidates, and private candidates registering through sub-county private examination centres.

These candidates must pay Sh7,200 via the e-Citizen platform at the time of registration.