Knec unveils SMS platform for parents to verify exam registration

The Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec) Chief Executive Officer, Dr David Njengere, told Nation that clean and accurate registration data is critical for effective and efficient delivery of the examination and assessment papers. 

"This is especially more critical for Knec to implement personalised question papers, which in turn helps to anonymise the answer scripts during marking. Parents need to help confirm their children's registration data by either calling the school or using the provided SMS platform," said the examination boss as he urged all those responsible to take personal accountability for candidates' registration, to avoid having their learners locked out.

Knec introduced the service to enable parents and guardians to verify registration details early, ensuring accuracy in names, subjects and school codes before the national assessments and examinations.

“Confirm the registration status of your child for the 2026 KPSEA, KJSEA or KCSE examination by sending the assessment number or index number to 20076. Details to confirm include the spelling and order of names, gender, date of birth, school registered in, and citizenship status,” said Knec on its social media sites.

Parents are also urged to check subject entries. For KPSEA and KJSEA, this includes confirming whether learners are registered for Kiswahili or Kiswahili Sign Language and the correct Religious Education option CRE, IRE or HRE.

For KCSE, parents should confirm optional subjects by the April 30, 2026 deadline. In case of queries, Knec has advised parents to contact their child’s head of institution.

KPSEA is administered at Grade Six before learners’ transit to Junior School. The results are not used for placement but to monitor learning progress. Learners are assessed in five subjects including Mathematics, English, Integrated Science and Kiswahili. KJSEA is administered in Grade Nine, marking the completion of Junior School.

The registration of candidates for the 2026 KCSE closed on March 31, 2026.  After registration, Knec said it would provide an SMS platform for parents/guardians wishing to confirm their learners' registration status.

According to Knec, this year will see a significant increase in the number of learners registering for national assessments and examinations. Based on past candidature trends, the council projects that approximately 3.7 million candidates will be registered across KPSEA, KJSEA and KCSE.

More candidates 

Dr Njengere noted that last year was unique as Knec administered the KJSEA for the first time to more than 1.13 million candidates. The examination boss said the anticipated rise in KCSE enrolment reflects heightened interest from repeat candidates seeking to improve their grades, especially as the country prepares to phase out the 8-4-4 system.

The 2027 KCSE will be the last examination under the 8-4-4 curriculum, making the 2026 test a critical opportunity for candidates who missed previous sittings or wish to better their performance.

Knec has begun sensitising Kenyans to take advantage of the remaining two-year window to complete their secondary education and obtain the crucial certificate before the full transition to the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system.

Dr Njengere urged all eligible candidates, including repeaters, to register within the set timelines.

According to the council, Kenyans have only two opportunities left to sit the KCSE examination before the complete transition to the Competency Based Education (CBE) system.

The last cohort under the 8-4-4 system is currently in Form Three.

“This is the second last opportunity to sit KCSE. All eligible candidates, including those who wish to resit one or two subjects, should register within the time frame Knec has set out in the circular to sub county directors and heads of institutions,” said Dr Njengere.

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Under the CBE system, learners will study for three years in senior school — Grades 10, 11 and 12 — where they will be introduced to career pathways before joining universities or other tertiary institutions. This differs from the 8-4-4 system, which emphasises examinations after four years of secondary education.

Knec clarified that repeat candidates may register either as full repeaters (seven or more subjects, earning a mean grade and certificate) or partial repeaters (fewer than seven subjects, earning a results slip).

However, candidates cannot introduce new subjects different from those sat previously. Registration for repeaters is done through Sub-County Directors of Education as private candidates, with an examination fee of Sh7,200 payable via eCitizen.

Heads of institutions have been reminded to ensure all candidates presented are eligible, school-going learners. Registration of “ghost candidates” constitutes malpractice and attracts sanctions, including de-registration of schools as examination centres.

Knec stressed that registration data must be accurate and error-free, including correct spelling of names, gender, year of birth, citizenship, entry codes, birth certificate numbers and passport photographs.

Dr Njengere said it is mandatory for heads of institutions to declare all repeaters at the point of registration to avoid pending results.

Chairperson of the National Parents Association (NPA), Mr Silas Obuhatsa, welcomed the new exam confirmation platform, saying it will eliminate last minute complaints.

“This is a timely move as it will ensure children are registered accurately and prevent the last minute cries we often witness when candidates discover they were never registered,” said Mr Obuhatsa.

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