Mathematics, Chemistry and English were the weakest-performing subjects in the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination despite a record number of candidates qualifying for university.
According to an analysis by the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS), only 19 per cent of candidates attained a grade of C+ and above in Mathematics, making it the poorest-performing subject among students eligible for university placement.
The KUCCPS analysis further shows that only 24 per cent of candidates scored a C+ and above in Chemistry, while English recorded 31 per cent, placing the two subjects among the weakest performers in the 2025 examination.
The findings were released as KUCCPS prepares to place thousands of students into universities and colleges across the country following the release of the 2025 KCSE results.
Despite the improved overall performance recorded in this year’s examination, the placement agency’s analysis shows many candidates still struggled in subjects that are key requirements for some of the country’s most competitive degree programmes.
Mathematics remains a core requirement for courses such as Engineering, Actuarial Science, Computer Science and Architecture, while Chemistry is compulsory for many health-related programmes, including Medicine, Pharmacy and Nursing.
The findings help explain why some candidates who met the minimum university entry grade may still miss out on their preferred degree courses due to subject requirements.
The latest analysis comes after the Ministry of Education announced an increase in the number of candidates who qualified for university admission in the 2025 KCSE examination, signaling an improvement in overall performance compared to previous years.
However, the KUCCPS report shows that strong overall grades did not necessarily translate into better performance across all subjects, with Mathematics, Chemistry and English continuing to pose a challenge for many candidates.
KUCCPS is expected to use the subject performance data alongside candidates’ grades and course requirements during the ongoing placement exercise into universities and colleges.
