The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has issued a clear warning to schools: complete KPSEA registration on time. The registration window runs from 16 February to 16 March 2026, and schools that fail to register eligible learners correctly or on time face penalties, including late fees and possible de-registration as an assessment centre.
Key Takeaways
- Registration period: 16 February – 16 March 2026; portal closes on 16 March.
- Assessment numbers are mandatory: learners without numbers must be assigned one via the Grade 6 portal before KPSEA registration.
- Transfers and amendments: transfers will not be allowed after 16 March; amendments not accepted after 22 May 2026.
- Parents can confirm registration: check by SMS to 20076 using the exam type and index/assessment number (e.g. KCSE123506013).
KPSEA registration: what heads of institutions must do
Heads of institutions must register all Grade 6 learners during the open window and ensure every candidate has a valid assessment number. If a learner does not have an assessment number, register them first in the Grade 6 portal to get one; only then will the candidate be available for KPSEA registration.
During registration, verify and correct all candidate biodata where necessary. Required details include:
- Correct spelling and order of names as on the birth certificate
- Gender and year of birth
- Citizenship
- Religious education option (e.g., CRE, IRE)
- Category of special needs, where applicable
Deadlines, transfers and penalties
The KNEC registration portal will be closed on 16 March 2026. No transfers of KPSEA candidates will be allowed after that date. Any late registration requests submitted after portal closure will attract penalties. Also note that no amendments to registration data will be accepted after 22 May 2026.
How parents and guardians can confirm registration
After schools complete registration, parents and guardians can confirm a candidate’s status by sending an SMS to 20076. For KPSEA or KJSEA use the assessment number; for KCSE use the candidate index. Format the message starting with the exam or assessment type followed by the number (for example KCSE123506013). KNEC will reply to confirm whether the candidate is registered.
School Based Assessment (SBA) and documentation requirements
Heads of institutions must confirm that SBA scores for Grades 4 and 5 have been uploaded from their school portals for all candidates. For candidates with special needs, ensure the correct category is selected and submit required supporting documents:
- A recent medical report from a recognized practitioner
- An assessment report from the Sub-county Special Needs office (EARC)
- A full-size coloured photograph for candidates with physical disabilities
- A report from the Head of Institution on any special interventions needed
Assessment fees and assessment centres
The Ministry of Education will pay assessment fees for eligible Kenyan candidates in public and private schools. Non-citizens sitting KPSEA or KILEA must pay a fee of KES 750 directly to KNEC via the E-Citizen platform for successful registration.
New assessment centre applications were to be submitted through Sub-County Directors of Education before the end of 2025. Schools with fewer than 10 candidates cannot register as independent centres and must arrange hosting at an approved centre. Centres with under 30 candidates may be hosted by approved centres identified by SCDEs. Schools for learners with special needs and government correctional facilities are exempt from the minimum candidate rules.
Portal access, passwords and data protection
All Sub-County Directors of Education and heads of institutions access the KNEC CBA portal with assigned usernames and passwords. A one-time password (OTP) is used for two-factor authentication whenever the Head of Institution logs in. Keep passwords and OTPs secure: they are confidential and intended only for the designated user. If a password is lost or forgotten, contact KNEC at kpsea@knec.ac.ke or your SCDE office for assistance.
Centre managers must ensure parents/guardians consent to the collection of learners’ personal data and inform them that the data will only be used for assessment administration. KNEC will handle data according to the Data Protection Act of 2019.
Practical resources for schools and parents
Teachers and parents preparing learners can access free practice and curriculum resources to support assessment readiness. Useful resources include free practice past papers and curriculum designs such as the free KCPE exams, general free CBC exams, and CBC curriculum designs.
Final checklist for Heads of Institutions
- Register all Grade 6 learners between 16 Feb and 16 Mar 2026.
- Assign assessment numbers to learners without them via the Grade 6 portal before KPSEA registration.
- Upload SBA scores for Grades 4 and 5 and confirm on the portal.
- Collect and attach required medical and assessment reports for learners with special needs.
- Record parents’/guardians’ names and mobile numbers online during registration for confirmation SMS.
- Safeguard portal passwords and OTPs; contact KNEC if you need password recovery.
Act promptly to avoid penalties and ensure every eligible learner is registered correctly and on time.
