Govt Issues New Rules for 2027 KCSE Candidates Without KCPE Certificates

The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has announced new guidelines for learners who intend to sit the 2027 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination but do not have a Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) certificate.

In a notice issued by KNEC on Wednesday, June 25, 2026, the council said that affected learners will be required to undergo a validation process and sit the KCSE Qualifying Test (QT) before they can register for the 2027 KCSE examination.

“Interested in registering for the 2027 KCSE examination, but do not have a KCPE certificate? This is your one-time opportunity to regularise your records and become eligible to sit the KCSE exam,” read part of the notice.

How Students Without KCPE Certificates Can Register for 2027 KCSE Exam

KNEC said the Qualifying Test will be administered in September 2026 and will target learners who do not have KCPE certificates or equivalent qualifications.

The directive also applies to learners who missed the 2023 KCPE examination but were permitted by the Ministry of Education to transition to secondary school.

According to KNEC, all school heads must ensure that Form Three learners in 2026 without KCPE qualifications complete the validation process within the set timelines.

Also Read: KNEC Issues Fresh Directives for Registration of Grade 10 Learners, Sets Deadline

For validation, applicants must submit an application letter, report cards or other proof of having attended primary school, and pay a validation fee of Ksh 3,480.

After completing the validation process, candidates will receive a clearance letter from KNEC, allowing them to register for the KCSE Qualifying Test.

Additionally, KNEC announced that the portal for the Qualifying Test registration is now open and will close on July 30, 2026.

The examination council said the test will be conducted online in September 2026 at venues to be identified by County Directors of Education. The examinations will be administered at county headquarters, as has been the practice.

Requirements for the Qualifying Test

Candidates registering for the test will be required to present a letter from their school for regular candidates or from the Sub-County Director of Education for adult candidates, an equation letter from KNEC, a soft copy of a passport photograph, and a birth certificate or national identification card.

Also Read: KNEC Publishes KCSE Timetable for 2026 Academic Year

The registration fee for the Qualifying Test will be Ksh 3,000, which candidates will pay through the e-Citizen platform.

KNEC further noted that learners with foreign qualifications who are currently in Form Three will also be eligible to sit the Qualifying Test after their certificates are equated by the council.

The results of the Qualifying Test will be used to determine eligibility for registration for the 2027 KCSE examination.

KNEC noted that the 2027 KCSE examination will be the final KCSE examination series under the current system, making the Qualifying Test a crucial requirement for candidates seeking to regularise their records.

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Photo of KNEC CEO Dr David Njegere. PHOTO/MoE