Updated 8 November 2026.
Direct answer: KCSE papers continue this week. Monday 9 November has Mathematics Paper 2 at 8.00 am and Kiswahili Fasihi at 2.00 pm. Religious Education, Biology and History and Government follow, ending with the Biology practical on Friday 13 November, according to KNEC's timetable. Candidates must be seated 15 minutes before each paper.
The five days at a glance
The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) timetable, reference KNEC/TD/SE/KCSE/TT/26/005, runs to Friday 20 November 2026. The papers for 9 to 13 November are below. First-session papers start at 8.00 am and second-session papers at 2.00 pm, and the timetable shows a midday break on days with two sessions. Times are for standard print; braille papers can run longer.
| Day | First session, 8.00 am | Second session, 2.00 pm |
|---|---|---|
| Mon 9 Nov | Mathematics Paper 2 (121/2 or 122/2), 8.00 to 10.30 am | Kiswahili Fasihi (102/3), 2.00 to 4.30 pm |
| Tue 10 Nov | Religious Education Paper 1 (CRE 313/1, IRE 314/1 or HRE 315/1), 8.00 to 10.30 am | Biology Paper 1 (231/1), 2.00 to 4.00 pm |
| Wed 11 Nov | Religious Education Paper 2 (313/2, 314/2 or 315/2), 8.00 to 10.30 am | History and Government Paper 1 (311/1), 2.00 to 4.30 pm |
| Thu 12 Nov | Biology Paper 2 (231/2), 8.00 to 10.00 am | History and Government Paper 2 (311/2), 2.00 to 4.30 pm |
| Fri 13 Nov | Biology Practical (231/3), 8.00 to 9.45 am | No paper listed |
A candidate sits the papers they registered for, so, for example, only one of the three Religious Education options applies to each candidate. The timetable lists no papers on Saturday or Sunday. The week after, Monday 16 November, brings Geography Paper 1 at 8.00 am and Physics Paper 1 at 2.00 pm, and the final paper, the Physics practical, is on Friday 20 November.
Rules KNEC puts in the timetable
Arrival and punctuality
The KNEC timetable says candidates must be available for searching outside the room and seated at their desk 15 minutes before each paper. A late candidate must give the supervisor a satisfactory reason, and only in exceptional circumstances will a paper be given to someone more than half an hour late. No extra time is allowed for any paper.
What may and may not be in the room
KNEC prohibits cell phones and other electronic communication devices in examination centres and says a candidate found with one will have their results cancelled. Where a calculator is allowed, which includes Mathematics and Biology, it must be the specified non-programmable type and must not have a cover. Answers go in black or blue ink; pencil is for diagrams only. A candidate may not leave early without the supervisor's permission and may not take any paper or answer booklet out. For what else is banned, see our guide to what KCSE candidates may carry.
Practicals
For practical papers taken in shifts, the timetable says all candidates must present themselves for confinement, and a candidate who does not has committed an irregularity. Ask the school which arrangement applies to the Biology practical on Friday.
Weather this week
Kenyans.co.ke reported at 9.48 am on 7 November that the Kenya Meteorological Service Authority's five-day forecast, for Sunday 8 to Thursday 12 November, expects moderate to heavy rain in at least 29 counties. It names thunderstorms and lightning in several western and Lake Victoria Basin counties, and expects Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi and Lamu to stay dry. If your child travels to the centre each day, plan for slower journeys and an early start. We have not seen any school or KNEC notice changing exam times because of weather.
How families can help
These are general suggestions, not KNEC rules. Keep a copy of the timetable on the wall and check the next day's papers each evening. Pack the pens, a permitted calculator and water the night before, ask the school what is allowed, and agree who collects your child. Meals and sleep matter more than late cramming between papers, and our note on using the gaps between KCSE papers offers a light revision rhythm. The full timetable explainer is in our KCSE 2026 timetable guide. If younger children are at home this week, our CBC revision packs are KSh 100 a subject, KSh 250 a whole grade, for example the Grade 6 complete package and the Grade 9 English bundle, or browse the shop. They are study aids and do not guarantee results.
Frequently asked questions
Which KCSE papers are on Monday 9 November 2026?
Mathematics Paper 2 from 8.00 to 10.30 am and Kiswahili Fasihi from 2.00 to 4.30 pm, according to KNEC's timetable.
What time do KCSE papers start?
First-session papers start at 8.00 am and second-session papers at 2.00 pm. Candidates must be seated 15 minutes earlier.
What if a candidate is late?
The candidate must give the supervisor a satisfactory reason. KNEC says a paper is given to a candidate more than half an hour late only in exceptional circumstances, and no extra time is allowed.
Can candidates carry phones?
No. KNEC prohibits cell phones and other electronic communication devices in examination centres, and results are cancelled for any candidate found with one.
When is the last KCSE paper?
The timetable's last paper is the Physics practical on Friday 20 November 2026.
Sources
- 2026 KCSE Examination Timetable, Instructions and Guidelines, KNEC/TD/SE/KCSE/TT/26/005 (KNEC, posted 19 Feb 2026)
- KNEC 2026 KCSE timetable page (posted 19 Feb 2026)
- Kenya Met Lists Nairobi, Nakuru Among Counties to Receive Rains Over Next Five Days (Kenyans.co.ke, 7 Nov 2026, 9:48 am)
CBC Edu Kenya is not part of KNEC or the Ministry of Education. Check your school and KNEC for the final word on arrangements at your centre. Timetable details as published by KNEC.
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