NESA HAS RELEASED THE NATIONAL EXAM TIMETABLE 2025-2026
The National Examination and School
Inspection Authority (NESA) has officially released the national examinations
timetable for the 2025–2026 academic year. This announcement is important for
students, teachers, and parents across Rwanda as it provides clear guidance on
when national exams will be conducted.
DOWNLOAD THE NATIONAL EXAM TIMETABLE PDF HERE
In this simple guide, we break down
the key dates and what candidates should expect.
Primary
Leaving Examination (PLE)
Primary school candidates will begin
their national exams in July 2026.
- Tuesday, 7 July 2026
- Morning: Mathematics
- Afternoon: Ikinyarwanda
- Wednesday, 8 July 2026
- Morning: English
- Afternoon: Social Studies and Religious Education
- Thursday, 9 July 2026
- Morning: Science and Elementary Technology
This means P6 candidates will
complete their exams in just three days.
Ordinary
Level (O-Level) Exams
For lower secondary students, exams
will start from mid-July 2026.
- 15 July 2026:
Mathematics, Ikinyarwanda
- 16 July 2026:
History and Citizenship
- 17 July 2026:
Geography and English
- 20 July 2026:
Chemistry and Entrepreneurship
- 21 July 2026:
Physics
- 22 July 2026:
Biology and Health Sciences
These exams cover core subjects and are spread across several days to allow proper preparation.
DOWNLOAD THE NATIONAL EXAM TIMETABLE PDF HERE
Advanced
Level (A-Level) Exams
Senior secondary students (S6) will
also begin exams on 15 July 2026, depending on their subject
combinations such as PCM, PCB, MCB, MEG, and others.
Subjects include:
- Mathematics II
- Chemistry II
- Physics II
- Biology II
- Geography II
- Economics
- Literature in English
Science students will have practical
exams conducted earlier, from May 1 to June 19, 2026.
Technical
and Vocational Exams (TSS)
Students in Technical Secondary
Schools (TSS) will also sit for their national exams starting from 15 July
2026.
Trades include:
- Building Construction
- Computer Systems
- Software Development
- Electronics and Telecommunication
- Agriculture
- Food Processing
Each trade has its own subject
schedule running throughout the exam period.
Teacher
Training Colleges (TTC)
TTC students will also begin their
exams on 15 July 2026, covering areas such as:
- Foundations of Education
- Teaching Methods
- Communication Skills
- Subject-specific content
Final lessons for TTC candidates
will end on 19 June 2026.
Other
Professional Programs
Additional programs like:
- Accounting
- Nursing (ANP)
will follow their own structured
timetables within the same examination period.
Important
Notes for Students
- Practical and continuous assessments will take place before
the main exams, mostly between May and June 2026.
- Exams are scheduled in both morning and afternoon
sessions.
- Students are encouraged to start early preparation and
follow the timetable carefully.
Final
Thoughts
The release of the 2025–2026
national exam timetable by NESA gives students enough time to prepare and plan
effectively. Whether you are in primary, secondary, or technical education,
knowing your exam dates is the first step toward success.
Students should stay focused, revise
regularly, and make good use of the remaining time before exams begin.
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