THE KENYA NATIONAL EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL

2023 KCSE EXAMINATION TIMETABLE, INSTRUCTIONS AND GUIDELINES

KNEC/TD/SE/KCSE/TT/23/008

1.0 INSTRUCTIONS AND SCHEDULE OF PAPERS FOR THE 2023 KCSE EXAMINATION  

1.1 All first session examination papers will start at 8.00 a.m. and second session examination papers will start at 2.00 pm as indicated on the timetable.

1.2 The time allowed for each paper is indicated against the name of the paper and NO EXTRA TIME IS TO BE ALLOWED. In case of any discrepancy, the time stated on the question paper should be taken as the correct one.  Time for reading through questions is part of the time shown on the question paper except where special paper instructions indicate otherwise.

1.3 Supervisors and Invigilators should ensure that candidates have written their names, index numbers and have signed on their answer scripts before they collect the answer scripts from each candidate while the candidates should ensure that they only take the subjects they are registered for.

1.4 Schools should upload marks for subjects with a Project component by 21st April 2023 for Milestone 1 and  31st  July 2023 for Milestone 2 where applicable. 

2.0 DAYS,DATES,SESSIONSANDDURATIONOF2023KCSEEXAMINATIONPAPERS

2023 KCSE EXAMINATION TIMETABLE, INSTRUCTIONS AND GUIDELINES

3.0 INSTRUCTIONS AND GUIDELINES TO TEACHERS AND CANDIDATES

3.1 INSTRUCTIONSTOTEACHERS

Teachers are advised to ensure that the candidates read these instructions and guidelines carefully and adhere to them. The candidates should be made aware of the penalties for examination irregularities or misconduct. 

3.2 INSTRUCTIONSTOCANDIDATES

3.2.1 Avail yourself for searching outside the examination room and be seated at your desk/table 15 minutes before the time fixed for the examination in the various papers.  The first session will start at 8.00 a.m. followed by the second session as indicated on the timetable.

3.2.2 A candidate who arrives late will be required to give a satisfactory reason to the Supervisor.  Only in exceptional circumstances will a paper be  given to any candidate who is more than half an hour late.  Absolute punctuality is essential for all papers.

3.2.3 Check the question paper you have been given to confirm that it is the paper you registered for.

3.2.4 If an examination paper for which you are not registered is handed to you, or if the questions indicate that a map or other material should also have been provided, inform the Supervisor at once.

3.2.5 Attend carefully to any general instructions that may be given on the first page of a paper, e.g. instructions limiting the number of questions that  should be answered.

3.2.6 Check to ensure that each page of your question paper is printed.

3.2.7 Write your name, index number, sign and write the date of the examination on the answer booklet.  

3.2.8 Write on both sides of the paper, but do not use the margins.  Begin the answer to each separate part of a question on a fresh line.

3.2.9 Write the number of the question clearly in the left-hand margin at the beginning of each answer.  Do not copy the question.  Be careful to use the same system of numbering as appears in the question paper.  Leave a blank line after the answer to each question.

3.2.10     Write your responses in black or blue ink.  You may use fountain pen or ball point pen.  Pencils should only be used for diagrams.  Bring  mathematical and drawing instruments for subjects for which they will be needed.

3.2.11 Read each question carefully.  A lot of time may be wasted in writing down information that is not asked for and no marks will be given for it.

3.2.12 Do not spend too much time on one or two questions. Leave yourself adequate time to answer other questions.

3.2.13 As soon as notice is given to stop, make sure your name, index number, signature and the date of the examination are written on the answer  booklet and then hand it over to the supervisor/ invigilator.

3.3 GUIDELINESTOCANDIDATES

3.3.1 You are not allowed to leave the examination room before the end of the period allocated to the paper except with special permission from the  Supervisor. No candidate so permitted to leave may take a question paper or answer booklet out of the examination room.

3.3.2 Do not leave a sheet of paper you have written on or your answers in such a position that another candidate can read them. You should not give or  obtain unfair assistance, or attempt to do so, whether by copying or in any other way, and your work should not show proof of such unfair  assistance.

3.3.3 No communication whatsoever in whatever manner between candidates or with outsiders is allowed during the examination.

3.3.4 You are not allowed to have in your possession or in your proximity while in the examination room, any book, notes, papers or any other materials  whatsoever except the correct question papers and any materials expressly authorized by the Kenya National Examinations Council.

3.3.5 You may only use mathematical tables printed by the Kenya National Examinations Council, and these should not contain any additional notes  except the printed information. If you are using a calculator as permitted by the Regulations, it should be the specified nonprogrammable calculator.  If in doubt, check with the Supervisor. Calculators may be used in the following subjects Mathematics, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Agriculture, Woodwork, Metalwork, Building Construction, Power Mechanics, Electricity, Drawing & Design, Aviation Technology, Computer Studies and Business Studies. 

3.3.6 You must return immediately to the Supervisor any question paper that has smudges, errors or is badly printed.

3.3.7 You must not take any used or unused paper out of the examination room.  Any rough work must be done on the official answer booklet and, if not to be submitted with the answers, must be left on the desk to be collected by the Supervisor and destroyed.

3.3.8 Any misconduct or causing of disturbance in or near the examination room will be treated as an examination irregularity.

3.3.9 For practical papers to be taken in shifts, all candidates taking the examination must avail themselves for confinement.  Any candidate who does  not present him/herself for confinement will have committed an examination irregularity.

3.3.10 Cell phones or any other electronic communication device are prohibited in examination centres.  Any candidate found in possession of a cell phone or any other electronic communication device will have his or her results cancelled.

4.0 PENALTYFOREXAMINATIONIRREGULARITIES

4.1 The KNEC Act No. 29 of 2012 Offences and Penalties stated in Sections 27 to 40 for cases of examination irregularities will apply. Some of the highlights in these Sections state that:

4.1.1 A candidate who commits an examination irregularity in any paper will have the results for the whole subject cancelled.  Such a candidate will not be entitled to a result and will be awarded result “Y” overall.

4.1.2 If there is evidence of wide-spread irregularities in any examination centre, the examination results for the whole centre will be cancelled.

4.2 Any person who:

1. gains access to examination material and knowingly reveals the contents, whether orally or in writing, to an unauthorized party, whether a candidate or not, will be in violation of Section 27 of the Act and the penalty will be imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years, or a fine not exceeding two million shillings or both;
2. willfully and maliciously damages examination material will be in violation of Section 30 of the Act and the penalty will be imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or a fine not exceeding five million shillings or both;
3. is not registered to take a KNEC examination but, with intent to impersonate, presents or attempts to present himself to take the part of an enrolled candidate will be in violation of Section 31 of the Act, and shall be guilty of an offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or a fine not exceeding two million shillings or both and shall be prohibited from taking an examination conducted by or on behalf of the Council for a period of three years.

4.3 Candidates should  not commit any examination irregularity to avoid having their results cancelled.

Download the exam timetable from KNEC here