WAEC WASSCE 2026: Registration, Syllabus, and Important Dates

The West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) is the most important O-Level exam for Nigerian secondary school students. It is conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC). There are two editions: the May/June school exam and the November/December private exam.

Registration for the school exam opens in October of the preceding year and runs through February. Schools handle the registration. Students must provide correct personal details, a clear passport photograph, and fingerprints for biometric verification. Mistakes in name spelling or date of birth can cause problems later. Double-check everything.

The exam covers core subjects: English Language, Mathematics, at least one Science, and at least one Arts or Social Science subject. Most students register for eight or nine subjects. All are graded A1 to F9. A credit pass (C6 and above) in five subjects, including English and Mathematics, is the minimum university entry requirement.

WAEC releases the official syllabus for each subject. This is your primary preparation tool. Do not rely on guesswork. The syllabus lists every topic and objective. Use it. Combine it with past questions. Practice one full paper every weekend.

The results usually take about two months. When they are out, check the WAEC portal. You can also request a hardcopy certificate later. Keep your exam number and PIN safe. You will need them.