Secondary schools in Kenya offer a variety of subjects under the 8.4.4 curriculum, with a maximum of 30 subjects authorized by the Ministry of Education. These subjects are chosen by individual schools based on their resources and faculty expertise and are then assessed by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC).
KCSE Requirements
To be awarded a KCSE certificate, students must take a minimum of 7 and a maximum of 9 subjects. As of the 2022 KCSE candidates, KNEC implemented a revised grading system with only two compulsory subjects:
- English (101) or Kiswahili (102) or Kenya Sign Language (504)
- Mathematics (121 or 122) – Alternative A or B
The remaining 5 to 7 subjects are chosen from the student’s best-performing electives offered by the school.
List of KCSE Subjects
| Subject Code | Subject Name |
|---|---|
| 101 | English |
| 102 | Kiswahili |
| 121 | Mathematics (Alternative A) |
| 122 | Mathematics (Alternative B) |
| 231 | Biology |
| 232 | Physics |
| 233 | Chemistry |
| 236 | Biology for the Blind |
| 237 | General Science |
| 311 | Christian Religious Education |
| 312 | Geography |
| 313 | Islamic Religious Education |
| 314 | Hindu Religious Education |
| 441 | Home Science |
| 442 | Art and Design |
| 443 | Agriculture |
| 444 | Woodwork |
| 445 | Metalwork |
| 446 | Building Construction |
| 447 | Power Mechanics |
| 448 | Electricity |
| 449 | Drawing and Design |
| 450 | Aviation Technology |
| 451 | Computer Studies |
| 501 | French |
| 502 | German |
| 503 | Arabic |
| 511 | Music |
| 565 | Business Studies |
KCSE Subject Groupings
For reference, here’s a breakdown of how KCSE subjects are categorized into groups:
Group 1: Core Subjects (Compulsory)
- English (101) or Kiswahili (102) or Kenya Sign Language (504)
- Mathematics (121 or 122)
Group 2: Sciences
- Biology (231)
- Physics (232)
- Chemistry (233)
- Biology for the Blind (236)
- General Science (237)
Group 3: Humanities
- Geography (312)
- History and Government (311)
- Christian Religious Education (313)
- Islamic Religious Education (314)
- Hindu Religious Education (315)
Group 4: Applied Technical Subjects
- (List not provided here. Consult KNEC website or your school for details.)
Group 5: Languages and Others
- Business Studies (565)
- French (501)
- German (502)
- Arabic (503)
- Kenya Sign Language (504)
- Music (511)
Understanding the KCSE subject options and groupings can help students strategically choose their courses to optimize their academic performance and future prospects. However, students may have limited choices based on the subjects offered by their respective schools. It’s essential to consult with school authorities and academic advisors to make informed decisions regarding subject selection.