The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) releases Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) results on its official online portal. Nearly 993,000 candidates sat the 2025 KCSE examinations, held in October and November 2025. Results are accessible at results.knec.ac.ke using your index number and registered name.
Source: UGC
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Key takeaways
- KCSE results are checked online at results.knec.ac.ke using your index number and one registered name.
- The SMS results-checking service was officially discontinued as of the 2025 KCSE cycle in January 2026.
- Individual result slips are downloaded by school heads via the KNEC school portal using KEMIS credentials.
- Lost result slips or certificates can be replaced through KNEC's online QMIS system for a fee of KSh 5,220.
- Certificates are now collected from sub-county education offices, not former schools.
The official portal for checking individual KCSE results is results.knec.ac.ke. Only the official KNEC site should be used. Avoid third-party sites that mimic the portal, as they may be fraudulent.
Follow these steps to access your results:
- Open a browser and go to https://results.knec.ac.ke/.
- Select the KCSE option from the examination menu.
- Enter your full 11-digit index number exactly as it appears on your exam slip.
- Enter one registered name as it appears on your KNEC registration.
- Accept the privacy and access notice when prompted.
- Click Search or Submit to display your results on screen.
Results show individual subject grades, the mean grade, and the total points scored. Note that provisional results displayed online may differ slightly from the official printed slip.
Tip: If the KNEC online portal is slow immediately after results are announced, try accessing it during off-peak hours. KNEC has improved server capacity, but high traffic is common on release day.
SMS result checking — service discontinued
Many candidates ask how to check KCSE results via SMS. The SMS results service has been discontinued. Previously, candidates sent their index number to shortcode 20076 on Safaricom, Airtel, or Telkom networks.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba confirmed in January 2026 that "individual 2025 KCSE candidates' examination results will be accessed online through a link on the KNEC website." There is no SMS option for the 2025 results or subsequent years.
How to download your KCSE result slip
The official KCSE result slip is printed and distributed by your former school. Individual candidates cannot log in to the KNEC school portal directly. Only school heads or authorised staff can access result slips using KEMIS credentials.
Source: UGC
If your school has not yet given you your slip, ask your principal or deputy principal to follow these steps:
- Visit the KNEC school portal at knec-portal.ac.ke.
- Log in with the school's KNEC username and password.
- Navigate to the KCSE Results tab on the dashboard.
- Enter the candidate's index number and select the correct examination year.
- Click Download or Print Slip to generate a PDF.
- Print the slip on A4 white paper.
The result slip contains the student's name, index number, school details, subject grades, mean grade, and the official KNEC stamp.
How to recover a lost KCSE result slip
If you have lost your KCSE result slip, contact your former school. The school head can reprint it from the KNEC portal at any time using the steps above.
KNEC does not issue duplicate certificates. Through the Query Management Information System (QMIS), KNEC issues an official Results Certification Letter for a fee of KSh 5,220, which carries full legal weight.
Required documents for KNEC QMIS application
- Copy of the original result slip (if available)
- Police abstract reporting the loss
- Copy of your national identity card or passport
- Confirmation from the Registrar of Persons
- One colour passport-size photograph
Fees and collection
KNEC charges KSh 5,220 per examination results certification letter. Once KNEC verifies your documents, it sends a unique PayBill number via SMS. Pay through M-Pesa using that number. Collect your certification letter in person from KNEC offices once you receive an SMS alert confirming it is ready. More details are on the KNEC website.
KCSE grading system
KCSE results are graded on a 12-point scale. The table below shows each grade, its points value, and the approximate mark range.
Grade | Points | Mark range (%) |
A | 12 | 75–100 |
A- | 11 | 70–74 |
B+ | 10 | 65–69 |
B | 9 | 60–64 |
B- | 8 | 55–59 |
C+ | 7 | 50–54 |
C | 6 | 45–49 |
C- | 5 | 40–44 |
D+ | 4 | 35–39 |
D | 3 | 30–34 |
D- | 2 | 25–29 |
E | 1 | Below 25 |
For the 2025 KCSE, the mean grade is computed from two mandatory subjects, Mathematics and one language, under the revised curriculum framework. Previous KCSE cycles required five subjects across three clusters.
Under the revised KNEC grading policy, a candidate's mean grade is calculated using two mandatory subjects (Mathematics and either English, Kiswahili, or Kenyan Sign Language) plus their five best-performing subjects.
What to do after checking your results
After viewing your KCSE results online, consider the following next steps.
- For university placement: - Qualified candidates apply for degree programmes through the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) portal. - KUCCPS announces application windows after results are released. Monitor the portal for dates and course cut-off points.
- For certificate and diploma courses: - Apply directly to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions or colleges of your choice.
- For candidates wishing to resit: - You may resit KCSE as a private candidate in the next examination cycle. Contact KNEC or your sub-county education office for registration details.
- Queries and appeals: - Submit any result queries through your school head within 30 days of the results release date. After 30 days, KNEC charges a fee for late query submissions.
- Certificate collection: - Regular school candidates collect their official printed certificates from their former school. Private candidates must collect theirs from their respective Sub-County Education Offices.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check my KCSE results online?
Go to results.knec.ac.ke. Enter your 11-digit index number and one registered name exactly as recorded during exam registration. Accept the privacy notice and click Submit. Your subject grades and mean grade will display on screen immediately once KNEC has released results officially.
How do I check KCSE results 2026 online?
For the 2026 KCSE cycle, visit the official KNEC portal at results.knec.ac.ke. You will need your index number and one registered name. Results are released by the Cabinet Secretary for Education at a nationally broadcast event, after which the portal goes live.
Can I still check KCSE results via SMS?
No. The SMS results-checking service on shortcode 20076 was discontinued from the 2025 KCSE cycle onwards. All individual candidates must use the online portal at results.knec.ac.ke. There is no SMS alternative for current or future results.
How do I recover a lost KCSE result slip?
First, ask your former school principal to reprint your slip from the KNEC school portal using KEMIS credentials. If the school is unable to help, apply for a results certification letter through KNEC's QMIS system online. You will need a police abstract, your national ID, and a fee of KSh 5,220.
Where do I collect my KCSE certificate?
As of January 2026, KCSE certificates are collected from sub-county education offices, not from former schools. Contact your local sub-county education office for collection schedules. Uncollected certificates are held at the sub-county office until claimed.
The above procedure should come in handy if you were stuck on how to get KCSE results online for a candidate or the entire school. It is all about choosing the most convenient method for you, either online or via SMS, and going for it.
DISCLAIMER: This article is not sponsored by any third party. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions of any kind. Any action you take upon the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility!
Tuko.co.ke published an article about the KCSE examination timetable, dates, and instructions. The KNEC KCSE examination timetable is one of the key factors determining how the candidates will perform in their national examinations. It offers a comprehensive guide on the specific date and time each paper will be done.
The KCSE examination timetable had to undergo changes since the schools were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Students who were worried about transitioning to the next stage in education can finally sit for their form four exams and wait to join the universities of their choice.
Tuko.co.ke also published a list of the most marketable courses in Kenya. The course one chooses can determine how easily one gets job opportunities after graduating.
Source: Original
For example, the demand for skilled copywriters is on the rise in Kenya. Businesses of all sizes understand the power of effective online communication, and those who can write copy that converts are in high demand. This translates into competitive salaries and ample job opportunities.
Source: TUKO.co.ke