KNEC WARNS OF FAKE EXAM PAPERS CIRCULATING ON SOCIAL MEDIA

The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has issued a public warning about fake examination papers circulating on social media. In a statement released on Friday, 5 September, 2025, the council cautioned students, parents, and schools to remain vigilant as the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) and the Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA) draw closer in October. “These question papers being shared online are NOT from KNEC. Do not be misled. Stay alert!” the notice read.

The counterfeit papers being circulated claim to be KNEC exam papers and include KJSEA English, Mathematics (Grade 9 KJSEA–2025), Christian Religious Education (Code 908–2025), and Kiswahili (Msimbo 902–2025). The alert comes as KNEC prepares for the administration of the KJSEA to Grade 9 learners this October. This will mark the final national assessment in the junior school cycle. KNEC emphasized that all official information regarding examinations—including timetables and authentic sample papers—is available exclusively on its official website.

According to the council, sample papers for the inaugural KJSEA were uploaded on 20 January 2025 to guide learners and schools. “These sample papers, developed and shared by KNEC free of charge through the official website, follow the exact format to be used in the October 2025 assessment,” the statement said. KNEC had earlier, on 19 June 2025, clarified that the purpose of the sample papers was to help familiarize candidates with the structure of questions and instructions for each subject.

Additionally, the council announced changes to answer sheet formats starting in 2025. Candidates will now be required to shade responses on Optical Mark Reader (OMR) sheets instead of drawing lines as was previously the practice.