Register for KCSE as a private candidate or repeater
Kenya National Examinations Council · sources read 30 Sep 2026
Private candidates and repeaters register for KCSE at their Sub-County Director of Education (SCDE) office during the registration window, and pay KSh 7,200 through eCitizen. For the 2026 KCSE the window ran from 16 February to 31 March 2026.
- Fee
- KSh 7,2002026 KCSE, private candidate or repeater
- Closed
- 31 Mar 2026 2026 KCSE registration ran from 16 February to 31 March 2026 (now closed). Watch for the next year's dates.
- Where
- In person at your Sub-County Director of Education (SCDE) office; fee paid on eCitizen
What you need
- The KCSE private candidate registration (entry) form, filled in
- National ID, passport or alien card (or your birth certificate plus your ID waiting card)
- Your KCPE certificate (or EACE/KCE, or foreign certificate with a KNEC equation letter)
- A letter of confirmation from the SCDE or head teacher of the private candidate exam centre
- Repeaters: proof that you sat KCSE before
Steps
- Download the KCSE private candidate registration form from the KNEC website and fill it in.
- During the registration window, take the form and your documents to your Sub-County Director of Education (SCDE) office to register.
- Pay the exam fee to KNEC through eCitizen. You are not registered until it's paid.
- After registration closes, go back to the SCDE office to sign the nominal roll and check your details.
- Sit your theory and practical papers at the county headquarters centre; projects are done at a school chosen in your sub-county.
Watch out
- Repeating fewer than 7 subjects gets you a supplementary result slip with subject grades only. It won't change your old mean grade. To get a new mean grade, repeat the full exam (7 to 9 subjects).
- If you withdraw, you don't get your fee back. Check your subjects before registration closes: no changes are made after.
- Partial repeaters can only re-sit subjects they sat the first time and that are still offered.
Who can apply
- Anyone not enrolled in a regular school who wants to sit KCSE, including repeaters who want to improve their grades.
- You need a valid KCPE certificate (or EACE, KCE, or a foreign qualification with a KNEC equation letter).
- At least 3 years must have passed since you sat KCPE (or other primary exam).
- There is no age limit, as long as you meet the entry requirements.
Official sources (3)
- Registration of Candidates for the 2026 KCSE Examination (circular KNEC/GEN/EA/EM/REG/2026/KCSE/03, 11 February 2026, with the KCSE Examination Entry Form for Private Candidates) knec.ac.ke · read 30 Sep 2026
- FAQ Page knec.ac.ke · read 30 Sep 2026
- Registration Of Candidates knec.ac.ke · read 30 Sep 2026