NECTA releases official 2026 CSEE Examination Timetable

DAR ES SALAAM- The National Examinations Council of Tanzania (NECTA), under the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, has officially released the timetable for the Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (CSEE) for October 2026.

Source: NECTA, Ref: CSEE 2026.

According to the timetable, Ref: CSEE 2026, the main written examinations will run from Monday, October 19, 2026 to Friday, November 6, 2026. 

Practical examinations for Food and Human Nutrition (code 051/2) are scheduled earlier, from 5th October, 2026 to 16th October, 2026.

Candidates will sit exams in two sessions daily: Morning (A.M.) and Afternoon (P.M.).

MORNING SESSION: Normally from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM, except for practical subjects which start at 10:00 AM.

AFTERNOON SESSION: Normally from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM for all subjects.

Here is the full day-by-day schedule:

Week 1

-Monday 19/10/2026: Morning: Civics (011) - 8:00-11:00 | Afternoon: Kiswahili (021) - 2:00-5:00

- Tuesday 20/10/2026: Morning: Basic Mathematics (041) - 8:00-11:00 | Afternoon: Biology 1 (033/1) - 2:00-5:00

- Wednesday 21/10/2026: Morning: Geography (013) - 8:00-11:00 | Afternoon: English Language (022) - 2:00-5:00

- Thursday 22/10/2026: Morning: Biology 2A (Practical) (033/2A) - 10:00-12:30 | Afternoon: Fine Art 1 (016/1) - 2:00-5:00

- Friday 23/10/2026: Morning: Chemistry 1 (032/1) - 8:00-11:00 | Afternoon: History (012) - 2:00-5:00

Week 2

- Monday 26/10/2026: Morning: Physics 1 (031/1) AND Engineering Science (035) - 8:00-11:00 | Afternoon: Literature in English (024), Additional Mathematics (042) - 2:00-5:00

- Tuesday 27/10/2026: Morning: Chemistry 2A (Practical) (032/2A) - 10:00-12:30 | Afternoon: Chinese Language (026), Textiles and Garment Construction 1 (052/1) - 2:00-5:00

- Wednesday 28/10/2026: Morning: Physics 2A (Practical) (031/2A) - 10:00-11:30, Building Construction (071), Electrical Engineering (080), Engineering Drawing (091) - 8:00-11:00 | Afternoon: Book Keeping (062), Woodwork and Painting Engineering (074), Electronics Draughting (083) - 2:00-5:00

- Thursday 29/10/2026: Morning: Music 1 (017/1) - 8:00-11:00, Biology 2B (Practical) (033/2B) - 10:00-12:30 | Afternoon: Commerce (061), Civil Engineering Surveying (073), Electronics and Communication Engineering (081), Manufacturing Engineering (088) - 2:00-5:00

- Friday 30/10/2026: Morning: Bible Knowledge (014), Elimu ya Dini ya Kiislamu (015) - 8:00-11:00 | Afternoon: Theatre Arts (019), Arabic Language (025), Agriculture 1 (034/1) - 2:00-5:00

Week 3

- Monday 02/11/2026: Morning: Fine Art 2 (016/2) - 10:00-3:00, Physics 2B (Practical) (031/2B) - 10:00-12:30, Textiles and Garment Construction 2 (Practical) (052/2) - 10:00-1:00, Architectural Draughting (072), Electrical Draughting (082), Automotive Engineering (087) - 8:00-11:00 | Afternoon: Information and Computer Studies 1 (036/1) - 2:00-5:00

- Tuesday 03/11/2026: Morning: French Language (023) - 8:00-11:00, Chemistry 2B (Practical) (032/2B) - 10:00-12:30 | Afternoon: Physical Education (018) - 2:00-5:00

- Wednesday 04/11/2026: Morning: Music 2 (017/2) - 8:00-10:00, Biology 2C (Practical) (033/2C) - 10:00-12:30, Food and Human Nutrition 1 (051/1) - 8:00-11:00 | Afternoon: No session

- Thursday 05/11/2026: Morning: Chemistry 2C (Practical) (032/2C) - 10:00-12:30, Information and Computer Studies 2 (Practical) (036/2) - 8:00-10:00 | Afternoon: No session

- Friday 06/11/2026: Morning: Physics 2C (Practical) (031/2C) - 10:00-12:30, Agriculture 2 (Practical) (034/2) - 10:00-12:30 | Afternoon: No session - End of exams

IMPORTANT NOTES FOR CANDIDATES, PARENTS AND SCHOOLS:

1. All candidates are reminded to pay attention to the 'Notice to Candidates' printed on the overleaf of the official timetable.

2. In case of any contradiction, the day, time and duration shown on the actual question paper should be adhered to. This supersedes the timetable.

3. Examinations will continue as scheduled even if the day falls on a Public Holiday. Do not assume a postponement.

NECTA has urged all regional and district education officers, heads of schools, and candidates to adhere strictly to the timetable to avoid confusion and ensure a smooth examination process.