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

S.NO. DAY & DATE SESSION ITEM NO. PAPER DURATION
2.1 JANUARY 2023 TO  JULY 2023                 1.   442/3 Art and Design (Project)   7 months
2.   443/3 Agriculture (Project) 7 months
3.   444/2 Woodwork (Project) 7 months
4.   445/2 Metalwork (Project) 7 months
5.   446/2 Building Construction (Project) 7 months
6.   451/3 Computer Studies (Project) 7 months
2.2 THURSDAY 19/10/2023 REHEARSAL DAY
2.3 MONDAY 23/10/2023 TOFRIDAY 27/10/2023 7.   501/3 French (Oral) 15 minutes  per candidate
8.   502/3 German (Oral)
9.   503/3 Arabic (Oral)
10.   504/3 Kenyan Sign Language             (Practical Signing Skills)
11.   511/1 Music (Practical)
2.4 WEDNESDAY  25/10/2023 12.   441/3 Practical Planning Session                  Home Science (Foods andNutrition)   30 minutes
13.   441/3 Practical Planning Session                  Home Science (Foods and               Nutrition) Large print 30 minutes
14.   441/3 Practical Planning Session                  Home Science (Foods and               Nutrition) Braille 1 hour
2.5  MONDAY 30/10/2023 TO TUESDAY 31/10/2023 15.   441/3 Home Science – Foods and                    Nutrition (Practical) 1 hour  15 minutes
16.   441/3 Home Science – Foods and              Nutrition (Practical) Large Print 1 hour  15 minutes
17.   441/3 Home Science – Foods and              Nutrition (Practical)   Braille 1 hour  45 minutes

2023 KCSE EXAMINATION TIMETABLE, INSTRUCTIONS AND GUIDELINES

S.NO. DAY & DATE SESSION ITEM NO. PAPER DURATION
2.6 WEDNESDAY 01/11/2023 8.00 am – 10.00 am (1st session) 18.   501/1 French (Listening Comprehension,             Dictation and Creative Writing) 2 hours 
8.00 am – 10.30 am (1st session) 19.   501/1 French (Listening Comprehension,             Dictation and Creative Writing)             Braille 2 hours 30 minutes
8.00 am – 10.00 am (1st session) 20.   502/1 German (Listening Comprehension             and Composition) 2 hours
8.00 am – 10.30 am  (1st session) 21.   503/2 Arabic (Grammar, Reading             Comprehension and Composition) 2 hours 30 minutes
8.00 am – 10.30 am  (1st session) 22.   503/2 Arabic (Grammar, Reading             Comprehension and Composition)              Large print 2 hours30 minutes
8.00 am – 10.00 am (1st session) 23.   504/1 Kenyan Sign Language              (Receptive Skills) 2 hours
8.00 am – 10.30 am  (1st session) 24.   511/3 Music 2 hours30 minutes
8.00 am – 10.30 am  (1st session) 25.   511/3 Music            Large print 2 hours 30 minutes
8.00 am – 11.00 am  (1st session) 26.   511/3 Music            Braille 3 hours
11.00 am – 2.00 pm       BREAK
2.00 pm – 4.15 pm (2nd session) 27.   501/2  French (Reading Comprehension,Grammar and Functional Writing) 2 hours15 minutes
2.00 pm – 4.15 pm (2nd session) 28.   501/2  French (Reading Comprehension, Grammar and Functional Writing)  Large print 2 hours 15 minutes
2.00 pm – 4.45 pm (2nd session) 29.   501/2  French (Reading Comprehension,              Grammar and Functional Writing)              Braille 2 hours          45 minutes
2.00 pm – 4.30 pm (2nd session) 30.   502/2  German (Grammar and                   Reading Comprehension) 2 hours 30 minutes
2.00 pm – 4.30 pm (2nd session) 31.   502/2  German (Grammar and                   Reading Comp.)   Large print 2 hours 30 minutes
2.00 pm – 2.50 pm (2nd session) 32.   503/1  Arabic (Listening Comprehension                and Dictation) 50 minutes
2.00 pm – 3.30 pm (2nd session) 33.   504/2  Kenyan Sign Language             (Language Use) 1 hour  30 minutes
2.00 pm – 2.50 pm (2nd session) 34.   511/2  Music (Aural) 50 minutes
2.7 THURSDAY02/11/2023 8.00 am – 10.30 am (1st session) 35.   441/1  Home Science 2 hours 30 minutes
8.00 am – 10.30 am (1st session) 36.   441/1  Home Science             Large print 2 hours 30 minutes
8.00 am – 11.00 am (1st session) 37.   441/1  Home Science             Braille 3 hours
8.00 am – 9.30 am (1st session) 38.   442/1  Art and Design    1 hour  30 minutes
8.00 am – 9.30 am (1st session) 39.   442/1  Art and Design                Large print 1 hour  30 minutes
8.00 am – 10.30 am(1st session) 40.   444/1 Woodwork 2 hours 30 minutes
8.00 am – 10.30 am(1st session) 41.   444/1 Woodwork Large print 2 hours 30 minutes

 

S.NO. DAY & DATE SESSION ITEM NO. PAPER DURATION
2.9 MONDAY06/11/2023 8.00 am  – 10.00 am (1st session) 68.   233/1  Chemistry 2 hours  
8.00 am  – 10.00 am (1st session) 69.   233/1  Chemistry             Large print 2 hours
10.00 am - 2.00 pm        BREAK
2.00 pm – 4.00 pm  (2nd session) 70.   101/1  English (Functional  Skills) 2 hours
2.00 pm – 4.00 pm  (2nd session) 71.   101/1  English (Functional  Skills)                                 Large Print 2 hours
2.00 pm – 4.30 pm (2nd session) 72.   101/1  English (Functional  Skills)                                 Braille 2 hours 30 minutes
2.00 pm – 4.30 pm (2nd session) 73.   101/1  English (Hearing Impaired) 2 hours 30 minutes
2.10 TUESDAY 07/11/2023 8.00 am – 10.30 am (1st session) 74.   121/1 Mathematics Alt. A 2 hours  30 minutes  
8.00 am – 10.30 am (1st session) 75.   121/1  Mathematics Alt. A               Large print 2 hours  30 minutes
8.00 am – 11.00 am (1st session) 76.   121/1  Mathematics Alt. A             Braille 3 hours
8.00 am – 10.30 am (1st session) 77.   122/1  Mathematics Alt. B 2 hours  30 minutes
8.00 am – 10.30 am (1st session) 78.   122/1  Mathematics Alt. B             Large Print 2 hours  30 minutes
11.00 am – 2.00 pm                                                        BREAK
2.00 pm – 4.30 pm (2nd session) 79.   101/2 English (Comprehension,               Literary Appreciation & Grammar) 2 hours 30 minutes
2.00 pm – 4.30 pm (2nd session) 80.   101/2  English (Comprehension, LiteraryAppreciation & Grammar)                Large print 2 hours 30 minutes
2.00 pm – 5.00 pm (2nd session) 81.   101/2  English (Comprehension, Literary               Appreciation & Grammar)  Braille 3 hours
2.00 pm – 5.00 pm (2nd session) 82.   101/2  English (Hearing Impaired) 3 hours
2.11 WEDNESDAY08/11/2023 8.00 am  – 10.00 am (1st session) 83.   233/2  Chemistry 2 hours
8.00 am  – 10.00 am (1st session) 84.   233/2  Chemistry Large print 2 hours
8.00 am  – 10.30 am (1st session) 85.   237/1  General Science                2 hours 30 minutes
8.00 am  – 10.30 am (1st session) 86.   237/1  General Science             Large print 2 hours 30 minutes
10.30 am – 2.00 pm                                                  BREAK
2.00 pm – 4.30 pm (2nd session) 87.   101/3  English (Creative Composition and               Essays based on Set Texts) 2 hours 30 minutes
2.00 pm – 4.30 pm (2nd session) 88.   101/3  English (Creative Composition and             Essays based on Set Texts)             Large print 2 hours 30 minutes
2.00 pm – 5.00 pm (2nd session) 89.   101/3  English (Creative Composition and               Essays based on Set Texts) Braille 3 hours
2.00 pm – 5.00 pm (2nd session) 90.   101/3  English (Hearing Impaired) 3 hours

 

S.NO. DAY & DATE SESSION ITEM NO. PAPER DURATION
2.12 THURSDAY09/11/2023 8.00 am – 10.30 am  (1st session) 91.   102/2  Kiswahili  (Lugha) 2 hours 30 minutes  
8.00 am – 10.30 am (1st session) 92.   102/2  Kiswahili  (Lugha)             Large print 2 hours 30 minutes
8.00 am – 11.00 am (1st session) 93.   102/2  Kiswahili  (Lugha)             Braille 3 hours
11:00 am – 2.00 pm                                                      BREAK
2.00 pm – 3.45 pm  (2nd session) 94.   102/1  Kiswahili  (Insha) 1 hour  45 minutes
2.00 pm – 3.45 pm (2nd session) 95.   102/1  Kiswahili  (Insha)             Large Print 1 hour  45 minutes
2.00 pm – 4.15 pm (2nd session) 96.   102/1  Kiswahili  (Insha)             Braille   2 hours 15 minutes
2.13 FRIDAY10/11/2023 8.00 am – 10.15 am (1st session) 97.   233/3  Chemistry (Practical)  2 hours 15 minutes
8.00 am–10.15 am(1st session) 98.   233/3  Chemistry (Practical)             Large print  2 hours 15 minutes
2.14 MONDAY13/11/2023 8.00 am – 10.30 am (1st session) 99.   121/2  Mathematics Alt. A 2 hours 30 minutes
8.00 am – 10.30 am (1st session) 100.   121/2  Mathematics Alt. A             Large Print 2 hours 30 minutes
8.00 am – 11.00 am (1st session) 101.   121/2  Mathematics Alt. A             Braille 3 hours
8.00 am – 10.30 am (1st session) 102.   122/2  Mathematics Alt. B 2 hours 30 minutes
8.00 am – 10.30 am (1st session) 103.   122/2  Mathematics Alt. B             Large Print 2 hours 30 minutes
11.00 am – 2.00 pm BREAK
2.00 pm – 4.30 pm (2nd session) 104. 102/3  Kiswahili (Fasihi) 2 hours 30 minutes
2.00 pm – 4.30 pm (2nd session) 105. 102/3  Kiswahili (Fasihi)             Large print 2 hours 30 minutes
2.00 pm – 5.00 pm (2nd session) 106. 102/3  Kiswahili (Fasihi)             Braille 3 hours
2.15 TUESDAY14/11/2023 8.00 am – 10.30 am(1st  session) 107. 313/1  Christian Religious Education 2 hours 30 minutes
8.00 am – 10.30 am(1st  session) 108. 313/1  Christian Religious Education             Large print 2 hours 30 minutes
8.00 am – 11.00 am(1st  session) 109. 313/1  Christian Religious Education               Braille 3 hours
8.00 am – 10.30 am(1st  session) 110. 314/1  Islamic Religious Education 2 hours 30 minutes
8.00 am – 10.30 am(1st  session) 111. 314/1  Islamic Religious Education             Large print 2hours 30 minutes
8.00 am – 11.00 am(1st  session) 112. 314/1  Islamic Religious Education             Braille 3 hours
8.00 am – 10.30 am(1st  session) 113. 315/1  Hindu Religious Education 2 hours 30 minutes
8.00 am – 10.30 am(1st  session) 114. 315/1  Hindu Religious Education             Large print 2 hours 30 minutes
8.00 am – 11.00 am(1st  session) 115. 315/1  Hindu Religious Education             Braille 3 hours

 

S.NO. DAY & DATE SESSION ITEM NO. PAPER DURATION
11.00 am – 2.00 pm                                                BREAK
2.00 pm  – 4.00 pm (2nd session) 116. 231/1  Biology 2 hours  
2.00 pm  – 4.00 pm (2nd session) 117. 231/1  Biology             Large print 2 hours
2.00 pm – 4.30 pm (2nd session) 118. 236/1  Biology (For the Blind)               Braille 2 hours 30 minutes
2.16 WEDNESDAY 15/11/2023 8.00 am – 10.30 am (1st session) 119. 313/2  Christian Religious Education   2 hours 30 minutes
8.00 am – 10.30 am (1st session) 120. 313/2  Christian Religious Education                Large print 2 hours 30 minutes
8.00 am – 11.00 am (1st session) 121. 313/2  Christian Religious Education               Braille 3 hours
8.00 am – 10.30 am (1st session) 122. 314/2  Islamic Religious Education 2 hours 30 minutes
8.00 am – 10.30 am (1st session) 123. 314/2  Islamic Religious Education             Large print 2 hours 30 minutes
8.00 am – 11.00 am (1st session) 124. 314/2  Islamic Religious Education             Braille 3 hours
8.00 am – 10.30 am (1st session) 125. 315/2  Hindu Religious Education 2 hours 30 minutes
8.00 am – 10.30 am (1st session) 126. 315/2  Hindu Religious Education             Large print 2 hours 30 minutes
8.00 am – 11.00 am (1st session) 127. 315/2  Hindu Religious Education             Braille 3 hours
11.00 am – 2.00 pm BREAK
2.00 pm – 4.30 pm (2nd session) 128. 311/1  History and Government 2 hours 30 minutes
2.00 pm – 4.30 pm (2nd session) 129. 311/1  History and Government             Large print 2 hours 30 minutes
2.00 pm – 5.00 pm (2nd session) 130. 311/1  History and Government             Braille 3 hours
2.17 THURSDAY16/11/2023 8.00 am – 10.00 am (1st session) 131. 231/2  Biology 2 hours
8.00 am – 10.00 am (1st session) 132. 231/2  Biology               Large print 2 hours
8.00 am – 10.30 am (1st session) 133. 236/2  Biology (For the Blind) Braille 2 hours 30 minutes
10.30 am – 2.00 pm                                                BREAK
2.00 pm – 4.30 pm (2nd session) 134. 311/2  History and Government                2 hours 30 minutes
2.00 pm – 4.30 pm (2nd session) 135. 311/2 History and Government             Large print 2 hours 30 minutes
2.00 pm – 5.00 pm (2nd session) 136. 311/2  History and Government             Braille 3 hours
2.18 FRIDAY17/11/2023 8.00 am – 9.45 am (1st session) 137. 231/3  Biology (Practical)                       1 hour  45 minutes
8.00 am – 9.45 am (1st session) 138. 231/3  Biology (Practical)                     Large print 1 hour  45 minutes
8.00 am – 10.15 am (1st session) 139. 236/3 Biology (Practical for Blind                 Candidates) Braille 2 hours 15 minutes

 

S.NO. DAY & DATE SESSION ITEM NO. PAPER DURATION
2.19 MONDAY20/11/2023 8.00 am – 10.45 am (1st session) 140. 312/1  Geography 2 hours 45 minutes
8.00 am – 10.45 am (1st session) 141. 312/1  Geography             Large print 2 hours 45 minutes
8.00 am – 11.15 am (1st session) 142. 312/1  Geography             Braille 3 hours 15 minutes
11.15 am – 2.00 pm                     BREAK
2.00 pm  –  4.00 pm (2nd session) 143. 232/1  Physics 2 hours
2.00 pm  – 4.00 pm  (2nd sessio) 144. 232/1  Physics             Large Print 2 hours
2.00 pm – 4.30 pm (2nd session) 145. 237/2  General Science 2 hours 30 minutes
2.00 pm – 4.30 pm (2nd session) 146. 237/2  General Science             Large print 2 hours 30 minutes
2.20 TUESDAY 21/11/2023 8.00 am – 10.00 am (1st session) 147. 565/1  Business Studies 2 hours
8.00 am – 10.00 am (1st session) 148. 565/1  Business Studies             Large print 2 hours  
8.00 am – 10.30 am (1st session) 149. 565/1  Business Studies             Braille 2 hours 30 minutes
10.30 am – 2.00 pm                                                BREAK
2.00 pm – 4.00 pm (2nd session) 150. 443/1  Agriculture 2 hours
2.00 pm – 4.00 pm (2nd session) 151. 443/1  Agriculture             Large print 2 hours
2.00 pm – 4.30 pm (2nd session) 152. 443/1  Agriculture             Braille 2 hours 30 minutes
2.21 WEDNESDAY 22/11/2023 8.00 am – 10.45 am (1st session) 153. 312/2  Geography 2 hours45 minutes
8.00 am – 10.45 am (1st session) 154. 312/2  Geography             Large print 2 hours 45 minutes
8.00 am – 11.15 am (1st session) 155. 312/2  Geography             Braille 3 hours 15 minutes
11.15 am – 2.00 pm BREAK
2.00 pm – 4.00 pm (2nd session) 156. 232/2  Physics 2 hours
2.00 pm – 4.00 pm (2nd session) 157. 232/2  Physics             Large print 2 hours
2.22 THURSDAY23/11/2023 8.00 am – 10.30 am (1st session) 158. 565/2  Business Studies 2 hours 30 minutes
8.00 am – 10.30 am (1st session) 159. 565/2  Business Studies             Large print 2 hours 30 minutes
8.00 am – 11.00 am (1st session) 160. 565/2  Business Studies             Braille 3 hours
11.00 am – 2.00 pm                                                  BREAK
2.00 pm – 4.00 pm (2nd session) 161. 443/2  Agriculture 2 hours
2.00 pm – 4.00 pm (2nd session) 162. 443/2  Agriculture                   Large print 2 hours
2.00 pm – 4.30 pm (2nd session) 163. 443/2  Agriculture             Braille 2 hours 30 minutes
2.23 FRIDAY24/11/2023 8.00 am – 10.30 am (1st session) 164. 232/3  Physics (Practical) 2 hours 30 minutes
8.00 am – 10.30 am (1st session) 165. 232/3  Physics (Practical)              Large print 2 hours 30 minutes

 

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

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