The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has officially released the results for the 2026 Second Series Computer-Based WASSCE for Private Candidates (GCE). Only 42.17% of candidates obtained five credits including English Language and Mathematics — a significant drop from the 53.64% recorded in 2026.
Key Highlights
- 42.17% of candidates passed with five credits including English Language & Mathematics
- This is a drop of 11.47 percentage points compared to 2026’s 53.64%
- 65,752 candidates sat for the exam across 370 centres nationwide
- 94.21% of candidates have had their results fully processed and released
- WAEC warns that private candidate results cannot be directly compared with school candidates
Performance Comparison: 2023 vs 2026 vs 2026
| Year | % with 5 Credits (English & Maths) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 44.29% | — |
| 2026 | 53.64% | +9.35 pts |
| 2026 | 42.17% | −11.47 pts |
The 2026 performance is not only lower than 2026 but also slightly below 2023, making it one of the weaker outings for GCE private candidates in recent years.
Full 2026 GCE Results Breakdown
| Category | Number of Candidates | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Total Registered | 69,604 | — |
| Total Who Sat the Exam | 65,752 | — |
| Exam Centres | 370 | — |
| 5 Credits (Including English & Maths) | 27,727 | 42.17% |
| 5 Credits (With or Without English & Maths) | 33,989 | 51.69% |
| Results Fully Processed & Released | 61,943 | 94.21% |
What WAEC Said
According to WAEC’s Head of Public Affairs, Moyosola Adesina, the 2026 GCE performance reflects an 11.47 percentage point decrease when compared to 2026. Registration increased slightly — 69,604 candidates registered, which is a 1.8% increase from 2026 — yet the pass rate fell sharply.
WAEC also stressed that results of private candidates should not be directly compared with those of school-based candidates, as the two categories sit different versions of the examination under different conditions.
Why Did Performance Drop?
While WAEC has not given an official explanation for the decline, analysts typically point to factors such as:
- Inadequate preparation time for private candidates who resit the exam
- Challenges with the Computer-Based Testing (CBT) format, which many private candidates may be less familiar with
- The broader impact of disruptions to secondary education in recent years
What This Means for Candidates
If your result has been released, here’s what you should do next:
- Check your result on the WAEC portal at waec.org.ng or via the official result checker
- Candidates whose results are still being processed (about 5.79% as of release) should watch for updates from WAEC
- If you did not meet the 5 credit threshold, you may consider:
- Registering for the next GCE sitting
- Exploring remedial or pre-degree programmes that accept lower entry grades pending improvement
Frequently Asked Questions
When were the 2026 GCE results released?
WAEC released the 2026 Second Series GCE (Computer-Based) results in February 2026.
How many candidates sat the 2026 GCE?
A total of 65,752 candidates sat for the exam out of 69,604 who registered.
What percentage passed the 2026 GCE with 5 credits?
42.17% passed with five credits including English Language and Mathematics. 51.69% passed with five credits with or without English and Mathematics.
Can I compare my GCE result with school candidates’ results?
No. WAEC officially states that GCE private candidate results cannot be directly compared with results from school-based WASSCE candidates.
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