The West African Examinations Council has officially released the 2026 timetable for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates.
According to the council, the examination will begin on April 21, 2026, and end on June 19, 2026. The timetable outlines important dates for practicals, theory papers, and core subjects across different stages of the examination period.
WAEC 2026 Examination Dates
- Start Date: April 21, 2026
- End Date: June 19, 2026
- Includes all core and elective subjects, as well as practical exams
Key Guidelines from WAEC
Difference in Exam Duration
WAEC has stated that if there is any discrepancy between the duration on the timetable and the one printed on the question paper, candidates must follow the time indicated on the question paper.
Advance Release of Visual Art Papers
For candidates offering Visual Art:
- Paper 3A: Instructions will be sent to schools two weeks before the exam
- Paper 3B: Question papers will be given to candidates two weeks before the exam
- Paper 3C: Candidates are expected to complete their projects within six months, while submission deadlines will be communicated by the council
Special Consideration for Candidates with Disabilities
Candidates who are blind, deaf, or mute will be given one and a half times the normal duration allocated for each paper.
WAEC 2026 Private Candidates Performance Breakdown
The council also released results for the 2026 Computer-Based WASSCE for private candidates, revealing key performance statistics:
- 32.72% (3,429 candidates) obtained at least five credits, including English Language and Mathematics
- 43.87% (4,598 candidates) obtained five credits with or without English and Mathematics
- 10,480 candidates sat for the examination across 166 centres nationwide
- This reflects an 11.49% increase compared to the 2025 entry figure
Results Processing and Malpractice Update
- 80.32% (8,418 results) have been fully processed and released
- 19.68% (2,062 candidates) still have outstanding results due to issues linked to candidates
- 0.72% (75 candidates) had their results withheld over alleged examination malpractice, with investigations ongoing.
See timetable below
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