The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has offered fresh hope to learners who never obtained their Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) certificates before the examination was phased out in 2023.
In a notice issued on Thursday, June 25, KNEC confirmed that such candidates will still have an opportunity to sit the final Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination under the 8-4-4 system in 2027. However, they must first pass through a special qualification process by taking the KCSE Qualifying Test (QT), which will be administered in September 2026.
The council explained that the Qualifying Test is specifically meant for candidates who do not possess KCPE certificates or their equivalent but wish to register for the 2027 KCSE examination. Before being allowed to sit the test, applicants must first have their primary school qualifications validated by KNEC.
Among those eligible are learners who missed the 2023 KCPE examination but were nevertheless allowed to join secondary school with approval from the Ministry of Education. KNEC has directed all secondary school principals to identify Form Three students in 2026 who fall under this category and ensure they complete the required validation process in good time.
To facilitate the validation, applicants must submit several documents to KNEC. These include a formal application letter, school report cards, or any other documents proving they attended primary school. In addition, every applicant will be required to pay a validation fee of KSh 3,480 through a bank deposit.
Once KNEC verifies the documents, successful applicants will receive an official clearance letter allowing them to register for the KCSE Qualifying Test. The council has announced that the registration portal is already open and will remain accessible until July 30, 2026.
The Qualifying Test will be conducted online in September 2026 at venues designated by the respective County Directors of Education. As has been the practice, the examinations will take place at county headquarters across the country.
Candidates registering for the test will also need to present a letter from their school if they are regular students, or a letter from the Sub-County Director of Education if they are adult candidates. Other required documents include KNEC’s equation letter, a soft copy of a passport-size photograph, and either a birth certificate or a national identification card.
Apart from the validation fee, candidates will pay an additional KSh 3,000 registration fee for the Qualifying Test through the eCitizen platform.
KNEC further noted that learners with foreign academic qualifications who are currently in Form Three may also take the Qualifying Test after their credentials have been evaluated and approved by the council.
The results of the Qualifying Test will determine whether candidates can be registered for the 2027 KCSE examination, which will mark the final national examination under Kenya’s 8-4-4 education system before the complete transition to the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
KNEC has therefore urged all eligible candidates not to miss the opportunity, emphasizing that anyone who falls within the outlined categories should complete the process before the registration deadlines.
“This information is intended for all those interested in registering for the 2027 KCSE examination under such circumstances. The last KCSE examination series will be administered in 2027,” the council stated.
