Dear Form Fours,
It is exactly 28 days until KCSE officially begins on Monday, November 3, 2025. Or, if we are going into details, 672 hours – but who is counting? 🙂
This is that season, the season of sleepless nights and the smell of fresh exam timetables. It is that season where you go to church without fail and become born again, kneeling in prayer every chance you get and making promises to God (some you probably might never keep.)
I know that because I was there at one point in life, and looking back it felt like that was the end of the world. I genuinely believed that if anything happened and I failed, then that would be the end of the road for me. In hindsight, I have faced bigger tests in life, none of which was even on paper. Just for the record I did not fail, but I did not get the result myself and everyone around me expected me to. And it was okay. The world kept spinning, and life went on.
I know how you are feeling right now. You feel like the world is holding its breath, waiting to see how you’ll perform. And maybe, somewhere between the stress and the highlighters, you’re wondering if all this really decides your future. Your parents remind you at the slightest opportunity, and the teachers have drummed it into your head ever since you stepped foot in that school as a tiny (or maybe not) form one with a box at hand and fear pounding in your chest.
I will let you in on a little secret that no one else probably will; that your life is bigger than your KCSE results. Not that they do not matter, matter of fact is that this exam matters a lot, but it doesn’t define you. You are more than a grade on a paper. You are dreams, effort and potential all rolled into one.
My little sister and my niece love reading my articles, and I know they might get to read this – even though I would understand if they do not come around because of the busy last minute schedules. To them and to everyone reading this – I want you to remember that your worth doesn’t begin when the results are announced, and it won’t end if things don’t go as planned. Just stay resilient and keep pushing. Give it your best shot. Do not be discouraged. Ask when you need to. Be relentless and go after your teachers with the questions of what you do not understand. Prepare like your life depends on it because doing your best is an act of self-respect.
Like I always tell my younger sister. 4 things; that’s all you need. To study hard, rest enough, eat well and show up with confidence. By the way there is a thin line between confidence and over confidence, and it would serve you well to know when not to cross that line. Over confidence will make you rush in answering the questions. And this is where sometimes bright students end up performing below what was expected of them. Listen, read each question slowly, and then read it again. DO NOT be in a rush to answer questions. If you do not understand the question, read it a third time. And you can always move to the next question and save the hard ones for last.
You’ve survived twelve years of school and countless assignments. You have survived the biting cold of preps and teachers who swore they’d “set the real exam.” You’re stronger than you think.
When you finally sit in that exam room and the first paper comes in (with invigilators who look as mean as they come) remember to breathe. Breathe and trust what you’ve learned. I am tempted to wish you luck, but then I know you’ve been preparing for this moment all along, so you probably do not need it.
One day, you’ll look back and realize this was just one of many tests life had in store and that you passed more than you failed.
