(Nairobi) – The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has announced that the final Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exam will take place in 2027, marking the end of the 8-4-4 education system and the full adoption of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
Speaking on Thursday, January 9, 2025, during the release of the 2024 KCSE results, KNEC CEO David Njeng’ere shared that the 2027 exam will be the last to be administered under the current system, signaling a transition to the new education model.
“The last KCSE exam will be held in 2027. I encourage those who wish to retake the exam to do so within the remaining three opportunities,” Njeng’ere said from KNEC headquarters in Nairobi.
The 2027 KCSE exam will close the chapter on the 8-4-4 system, which has been in place for several decades. This shift to the CBC will impact the structure of national exams, with a new assessment system that focuses on competency and practical skills.
In addition to the announcement about KCSE, Njeng’ere revealed that students who entered Grade 9 in 2025 will sit for the new Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA). He highlighted that a trial for the KJSEA was conducted in July 2024 in 235 schools across all 47 counties.
“The KJSEA trial exams were conducted in 235 schools, and the exam papers are now available on the KNEC website,” said Njeng’ere. He also cautioned the public against the illegal sale of exam papers, urging them to access the materials for free through the official KNEC platform.
| Year | Examination | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Last KCSE Exam | The final KCSE under the 8-4-4 system |
| 2025 Onwards | Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA) | Introduced for students in Grade 9 under CBC |
