2024 KNEC Registration for KCSE Examination and Qualifying Test: Instructions and Guidelines
The registration for candidates intending to take the 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination and KCSE Qualifying Test is set to begin on 29th January 2024 and conclude on 29th March 2024. The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) provides the following information:
1.0 Registration of Regular Candidates
Heads of institutions overseeing students in regular settings are responsible for online registration of their candidates. Institutions should log into the KNEC registration portal using their examination center log-in credentials. Heads of institutions presenting candidates for the KCSE examination must ensure:
1.1 All candidates are eligible, school-going students from their schools. Registration of ghost candidates constitutes an examination malpractice, subject to sanctions, including de-registration of the school as a KNEC examination center.
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1.2 All candidates adhere to the subject entry requirements for grading (subject clusters) as stipulated in the KCSE examination Regulations issued by KNEC.
1.3 All eligible candidates upload their correct passport-size photographs (300 x 300 pixels). Photograph replacement/change is not permitted after the registration period.
1.4 Registration data for all presented candidates is accurate and error-free, including correct spellings, order of names, gender, year of birth, citizenship, entry codes, birth certificate numbers, subjects registered for, and category of special needs and disabilities (where applicable).
Categories:
- Visual Impairment – VI (totally blind candidates requiring Braille)
- Low Vision – LP (candidates requiring Large Print papers)
- Hearing Impairment – HI (Deaf)
- Physical Impairment – PI
2.0 Registration of Private Candidates
Individuals wishing to sit for the KCSE examination as private candidates should register at Sub-County Directors of Education (SCDES) offices. Private candidates must:
2.1 Submit the Private Candidate’s Registration Form and all other required documents to SCDES.
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2.2 Upload correct passport-size photographs (300 x 300 pixels). No replacement/change of photographs is allowed after the registration period.
2.3 Adhere to all registration requirements specified in this circular.
Note: Candidates repeating for fewer than seven (07) subjects (partial repeaters) are allowed, provided they can prove they have previously sat for the KCSE examination.
3.0 Registration of Candidates for the KCSE Qualifying Test
Individuals wishing to sit for the KCSE Qualifying Test (QT) should register at County Director of Education (CDE)’s offices. The following guidelines apply:
3.1 CDEs’ offices are responsible for the Qualifying Test registration; therefore, candidates should register at their respective County Directors of Education (CDES) offices.
3.2 The test will be administered online at a venue identified by the respective CDES. Students must register for the Qualifying Test a year before their scheduled KCSE examination.
3.3 Heads of institutions with students requiring the Qualifying Test and holding foreign certifications or any other local Primary school equivalent certifications should seek Equation services at KNEC, available online on the KNEC website.
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3.4 Documents to be presented for KCSE Qualifying Test registration include a copy of the original CPE certificate and/or specified documentary evidence for Kenyans who did not sit for KCPE examination, an Equation Letter from KNEC for candidates with non-Kenyan (foreign) primary education certifications, and a passport-size photograph in a CD (300 x 300 pixels).
4.0 Examination Fees
All Education Officers and Heads of institutions must adhere to KCSE examination regulations regarding payment of examination fees:
4.1 The Government of Kenya through the Ministry of Education (MOE) will pay examination fees for all candidates in public and private schools, except for candidates re-sitting/repeating examinations, non-citizens, and private candidates registering in Sub-County Private Examination Centres.
4.2 Examination fees for regular and private candidates registering for the entire examination for the first time are detailed in Table 1. Re-sitting candidates’ fees are outlined in Table 2.
Table 1: KCSE Examination Fees for Regular and Private candidates registering for the entire examination for the first time
| Number of Subjects | Total fees (Kes) |
|---|---|
| 9 | 5,000 |
| 7 | 5,400 |
| 8 | 5,800 |
Table 2: KCSE Examination Fees for re-sitting candidates (repeaters/partial repeaters)
| Number of Subjects | Total fees (Kes) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 3,100 |
| 2 | 3,500 |
| 3 | 3,900 |
| 4 | 4,300 |
| 5 | 4,700 |
| 6 | 5,100 |
| 7 | 5,500 |
| 8 | 5,900 |
| 9 | 6,300 |
The KCSE Qualifying Test registration fee is Kes. 3,000.00 (three thousand) per candidate. Private candidates must deposit their examination fees directly into the KNEC fees collection accounts in National Bank, Kenya Commercial Bank, Co-operative Bank, or Equity Bank, with bank deposit slips submitted to SCDES for forwarding to KNEC along with other registration documents.
5.0 Identification of Examination Centres
Institutions planning to present candidates for the 2024 KCSE examination must take note of the following:
5.1 Schools with less than five (5) candidates cannot register as independent examination centres for the 2024 KCSE examination. They are advised to coordinate with their Sub-County Directors of Education (SCDES) to identify approved KNEC examination centres with more than five (5) candidates for registration.
5.2 Examination centres with fewer than thirty (30) candidates will be hosted in centres identified by the SCDES, following KNEC guidelines.
5.3 KNEC permits only one private examination centre per Sub-County. SCDEs are urged to identify a public school where private candidates in their sub-county will be hosted for examination projects and practical papers.
5.4 KNEC reserves the right to deregister or relocate an examination centre and its candidates if deemed necessary, as outlined in the KNEC Rules and Regulations (2015).
6.0 Registration of New Examination Centres
The Sub-County Director of Education (SCDE) will facilitate the registration of new institutions applying to become KNEC examination centres for the 2024 KCSE examination. The process involves:
6.1 Validation of the application by KNEC, communicated through the SCDES’ offices.
6.2 Inspection of the institutions by KNEC, with submission of required documents, including a certified copy of a valid Registration Certificate, filled inspection questionnaire, a duly filled Application Form, a valid Registration Certificate, and a bank deposit slip as evidence of payment of Examination Centre Registration fees.
6.3 The inspection process concludes by 23rd February 2024, and centres not inspected by then must coordinate with their respective SCDES for identification of approved examination centres.
6.4 New examination centres gain access to the KNEC registration portal only after KNEC approves their request.
7.0 Coding of New Sub-Counties and Distribution Centres
Sub-counties newly created, seeking coding and recoding of examination centres within their jurisdiction, must submit the following documents to KNEC:
7.1.1 A copy of the Kenya Gazette notice legalizing the creation of the Sub-county.
7.1.2 A list of schools within the new sub-county, indicating previous and proposed new codes.
7.1.3 Location of the examination Distribution Centre (Container) and details of the Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) or Assistant Deputy County Commissioner (ADCC) office.
8.0 Other Important Information
8.1 SCDES and heads of institutions are responsible for the use and security of passwords issued by KNEC for portal access. Key points include:
8.1.1 Passwords are confidential, intended for designated users, and heads of institutions are responsible for their security and access.
8.1.2 In case of loss or forgotten passwords, heads of institutions should request assistance from KNEC via email (em@knec.ac.ke).
8.1.3 New examination centres, once approved, access the registration platform using their Centre Code as the Username and password, with subsequent advice to change the password for confidentiality.
All examination centres should align with their nearest Distribution Centre for ease of collecting examination materials.
Centre Managers must confirm their Collection Centres with SCDES during the field administration of the examination.
Heads of institutions should present registration documents in SCDEs’ offices by 5th April 2024 for verification by the SCDES and KNEC.
The KNEC Registration portal closes on 29th March 2024, with no provision for late registration.
Adherence to regulations and guidelines is crucial for effective examination administration.
2024 KNEC Registration for KCSE Examination and Qualifying Test: Instructions and Guidelines
