KPSEA, KJSEA Rehearsals Begin as 2.58 Million Learners Prepare for National Assessments

NAIROBI, Kenya — More than 2.58 million Grade 6 and Grade 9 learners are preparing for their national assessments, with rehearsals scheduled for Friday, October 23, ahead of the first papers on Monday.

The exercise gives candidates a chance to familiarise themselves with assessment procedures before the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) and Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) begin.

But the two assessments will not run for the same length of time. KPSEA candidates will sit their papers from Monday, October 26, to Wednesday, October 28. KJSEA candidates will continue until Friday, October 30, according to the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) timetable.The distinction is important for parents and schools planning transport, meals and other arrangements for learners during the assessment week.

More than 2.58 million learners registered

Figures released during the 2026 national examination season show that 1,380,463 learners are registered for KPSEA, while 1,206,028 candidates will sit KJSEA. Together, the two groups account for 2,586,491 learners.

KPSEA is taken by Grade 6 learners, while KJSEA assesses learners at the end of Grade 9 under Kenya’s Competency-Based Education system.

For Grade 9 learners, the assessment comes at an important transition point as they prepare to move to senior school. The results form part of the wider assessment process used to guide their progression through the education system.

The rehearsal is therefore more than a practice session. It allows candidates and centre officials to familiarise themselves with the procedures that will govern the assessments.

What happens during rehearsal?

Centre managers are expected to confirm candidates’ attendance through KNEC’s CP2 system, with attendance records beginning on rehearsal day. Examination materials for KPSEA and KJSEA are collected from designated storage containers, which are scheduled to open at 6am each morning.

The procedures are designed to ensure that candidates are accounted for and that assessment materials reach the correct centres.

Learners should pay attention to instructions given by their teachers and assessment officials. Rehearsal also gives them an opportunity to become familiar with the examination room and understand how to complete the required answer sheets.

For multiple-choice questions answered on Optical Mark Reader sheets, candidates should follow the instructions carefully and shade the appropriate spaces fully. An incorrectly completed answer sheet can create avoidable problems during processing.

The assessment timetable at a glance

Friday, October 23: Rehearsal for KPSEA and KJSEA.
Monday, October 26: Both assessments begin.
Wednesday, October 28: KPSEA concludes.
Friday, October 30: KJSEA concludes.

The first sessions are scheduled to begin at 8.30am, although candidates should follow the precise time and instructions given for each paper in the official timetable.

What parents and learners should do

With the first papers only days away, parents can help by confirming reporting times and transport arrangements with schools, ensuring learners get enough rest and encouraging them to follow instructions rather than spend the final days under unnecessary pressure.

Candidates should also check their assessment details with their schools and avoid relying on unverified timetable messages circulating online.

The immediate task is to ensure every learner knows where to report, when to arrive and what to expect. With more than 2.5 million children involved, careful coordination by schools, assessment officials and families will be essential to keeping the week organised.

The main assessments begin on Monday, October 26, with KPSEA ending on Wednesday and KJSEA continuing through Friday.

About the Author

Maureen Onyango is a journalist passionate about storytelling, life coaching and spiritual lessons. She studied at the Kenya Institute of Management and enjoys telling stories that inform, inspire and empower communities.