The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has announced the commencement of registration for the KCSE 2027 Qualifying Test, targeting candidates who wish to sit for the 2027 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination but do not meet the standard registration requirements.
According to a circular issued by the Ministry of Education through the State Department for Early Learning and Basic Education in Kakamega County, registration for the qualifying test is currently ongoing and will close on July 30, 2026. The examination is scheduled to be administered online in September 2026.
The qualifying test is intended for several categories of candidates, including individuals who never sat for the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) but can provide proof that they attended primary school.
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Such applicants are required to submit an application letter, report cards or other evidence of primary school attendance, and a bank deposit slip of KSh 3,480 for validation purposes.
Validation is being conducted at KNEC’s New Mitihani House in South C, Nairobi, after which successful applicants will receive a clearance letter enabling them to register for the qualifying test.
The registration exercise also targets candidates holding foreign certificates accompanied by an equation letter from KNEC, as well as those who previously sat for examinations such as the Certificate of Primary Education (CPE), Kenya Junior Secondary Examination (KJSE), or Kenya Certificate of Education (KCE) and now aspire to sit for KCSE.
To register, candidates must provide a letter from their school if registering as regular candidates, or a letter from the Sub-County Director of Education for adult candidates.
Other requirements include an equation letter from KNEC, a passport-size photograph to be captured at the registration centre, a birth certificate or national identity card, and payment of the required fees.
Candidates will be required to pay a registration fee of KSh 3,000 through the e-Citizen platform and an additional KSh 500 processing fee.
Education officials have urged schools and education stakeholders to disseminate the information widely to ensure all eligible candidates are aware of the opportunity.
Notably, KNEC has indicated that the 2027 KCSE examination will be the final KCSE examination series under the 8-4-4 education system, marking the end of an era as the country fully transitions to the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
Interested candidates can obtain further information by contacting the registration support line provided by the authorities.