Last Updated on 1 month ago by Haruna Ayuba
The WAEC GCE 2026 Second Series (WASSCE for Private Candidates) runs from Friday, 4th September 2026 to Wednesday, 28th October 2026, with practical planning sessions starting first and the bulk of written papers falling between 22 September and 28 October.
Registration for the exam closes on Sunday, 30 August 2026, and the standard fee is ₦27,000 plus a ₦500 bank or agent commission. Below is the complete, official day-by-day timetable, verified against WAEC’s own final release, plus everything else you need to plan around it.
Key Highlights
- Exam window: 4 September 2026 – 28 October 2026
- Registration deadline: Sunday, 30 August 2026 (via registration.waecdirect.org)
- Registration fee: ₦27,000 + ₦500 commission (₦45,000 for walk-in candidates)
- Format: Objective papers are computer-based (CBT); essay and practical papers use a hybrid on-screen/booklet format
- Subjects available: Up to 36 subjects, including Nigerian languages, sciences, arts and commercial subjects
- Source: Official WAEC Nigeria final timetable (PDF), published August 2026, and the live registration.waecdirect.org portal
About the WAEC GCE Second Series
The WAEC GCE — officially the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for Private Candidates — is run twice a year by the West African Examinations Council for candidates who are not sitting the exam through a secondary school. It produces the same certificate as the school-based WASSCE and is accepted on equal terms for JAMB registration, university admission, and professional purposes.
The Second Series (commonly called the November/December diet, though the 2026 edition runs earlier, from September into late October) is the main opportunity for candidates who missed the January/February First Series, need to improve specific subjects, or are combining results across two sittings for admission purposes.
WAEC GCE 2026 Second Series Full Timetable
WAEC published the final timetable for the 2026 Second Series in August 2026. Practical planning sessions and oral/aural tests for a handful of subjects are scheduled individually by the Council between 14 and 25 September; every other paper has a fixed date and time below.
Always cross-check your own paper against the official PDF at waecnigeria.org before your exam date. Where the time on your actual question paper differs from this table, the question paper takes precedence — this is WAEC’s own rule, not a CampusNinja note.
September 2026
| Date | Paper Code | Subject/Paper | Duration | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, 4 Sept | PC7023 / PC7033 | Foods & Nutrition 3 (Practical Planning) / Home Management 3 (Practical Planning) | 1hr each | 9:30am–10:30am / 10:30am–11:30am |
| 14–25 Sept (dates set by WAEC) | PC3013 / PC7054 / PC3043 / PC7023 / PC7033 | Arabic 3 (Oral) / Music 3B (Performance Test) / French 3 (Oral) / Foods & Nutrition 3 (Practical) / Home Management 3 (Practical) | 15min–3hrs | Announced individually |
| Tue, 22 Sept | PC4012 / PC4011 | Further Maths/Maths (Elective) 2 (Essay) / 1 (Objective) | 2hr30 / 1hr30 | 9:30am–12:00pm / 2:00pm–3:30pm |
| Wed, 23 Sept | PC1042 / PC1041 | Accounting 2 (Theory & Practice) / 1 (Objective) | 2hr30 / 1hr | 9:30am–12:00pm / 12:00pm–1:00pm |
| Wed, 23 Sept | PC2052 / PC2051 | Government 2 (Essay) / 1 (Objective) | 2hr / 1hr | 2:00pm–4:00pm / 4:00pm–5:00pm |
| Thu, 24 Sept | PC3272/PC3271, PC3282/PC3281, PC3292/PC3291 | Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba (2 Essay / 1 Objective, each) | 2hr / 1hr | 9:30am–11:30am / 11:30am–12:30pm |
| Fri, 25 Sept | PC7032 / PC7031 | Home Management 2 (Essay) / 1 (Objective) | 1hr each | 9:30am–10:30am / 10:30am–11:30am |
| Mon, 28 Sept | PC5112 / PC5111 | Physical Education 2 (Essay) / 1 (Objective) | 1hr20 / 50min | 2:00pm–3:20pm / 3:20pm–4:10pm |
| Tue, 29 Sept | PC5083 | Health Education/Health Science 3 (Alt. to Practical) | 1hr45 | 9:30am–11:15am |
| Tue, 29 Sept | PC5113 | Physical Education 3 (Theory of Practice) | 2hr | 2:00pm–4:00pm |
| Wed, 30 Sept | PC7063 | Visual Art 3A (Drawing) | 3hr | 2:00pm–5:00pm |
October 2026
| Date | Paper Code | Subject/Paper | Duration | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, 3 Oct | PC4022 / PC4021 | General Maths 2 (Essay) / 1 (Objective) | 2hr30 / 1hr30 | 9:30am–12:00pm / 2:00pm–3:30pm |
| Mon, 5 Oct | PC5052 / PC5051 | Chemistry 2 (Essay) / 1 (Objective) | 2hr / 1hr | 9:30am–11:30am / 11:30am–12:30pm |
| Mon, 5 Oct | PC5053 | Chemistry 3 (Alt. to Practical) | 1hr30 | 2:00pm–3:30pm |
| Tue, 6 Oct | PC2102 / PC2101 | Literature-in-English 2 (Prose) / 1 (Objective) | 1hr15 / 1hr | 9:30am–10:45am / 10:45am–11:45am |
| Wed, 7 Oct | PC5042 / PC5041 | Biology 2 (Essay) / 1 (Objective) | 1hr40 / 50min | 9:30am–11:10am / 11:10am–12:00pm |
| Wed, 7 Oct | PC5043 | Biology 3 (Alt. to Practical) | 2hr | 2:00pm–4:00pm |
| Thu, 8 Oct | PC2103 | Literature-in-English 3 (Drama & Poetry) | 2hr30 | 2:00pm–4:30pm |
| Fri, 9 Oct | PC2022/PC2021, PC2082/PC2081 | Christian Religious Studies & Islamic Studies (2 Essay / 1 Objective, each) | 1–2hr | 9:30am–11:30am (approx.) |
| Sat, 10 Oct | PC2032 / PC2031 | Economics 2 (Essay) / 1 (Objective) | 2hr / 1hr | 9:30am–11:30am / 11:30am–12:30pm |
| Sat, 10 Oct | PC7062 / PC7061 | Visual Art 2 (Essay) / 1 (Objective) | 2hr / 50min | 2:00pm–4:00pm / 4:00pm–4:50pm |
| Mon, 12 Oct | PC7052 / PC7051 | Music 2 (Essay) / 1 (Objective) | 2hr / 1hr | 9:30am–11:30am / 11:30am–12:30pm |
| Mon, 12 Oct | PC3012 / PC3011 | Arabic 2 (Essay) / 1 (Objective) | 2hr / 50min | 2:00pm–4:00pm / 4:00pm–4:50pm |
| Tue, 13 Oct | PC2072 / PC2071 | Nigerian History 2 (Essay) / 1 (Objective) | 2hr / 1hr | 9:30am–11:30am / 11:30am–12:30pm |
| Tue, 13 Oct | PC1032 / PC1031 | Commerce 2 (Essay) / 1 (Objective) | 2hr / 50min | 2:00pm–4:00pm / 4:00pm–4:50pm |
| Wed, 14 Oct | PC2042 / PC2041 | Geography 2 (Essay) / 1 (Objective) | 2hr / 1hr | 9:30am–11:30am / 11:30am–12:30pm |
| Wed, 14 Oct | PC2043 | Geography 3 (Practical & Physical Geography) | 1hr50 | 2:30pm–4:20pm |
| Thu, 15 Oct | PC5122 / PC5121 | Physics 2 (Essay) / 1 (Objective) | 1hr30 / 1hr15 | 9:30am–11:00am / 11:00am–12:15pm |
| Thu, 15 Oct | PC5123 | Physics 3 (Alt. to Practical) | 2hr45 | 2:00pm–4:45pm |
| Fri, 16 Oct | PC1122 / PC1121 | Marketing 2 (Essay) / 1 (Objective) | 2hr / 50min | 9:30am–11:30am / 11:30am–12:20pm |
| Sat, 17 Oct | PC3022 / PC3021 | English Language 2 (Essay) / 1 (Objective) | 2hr / 1hr | 9:30am–11:30am / 11:30am–12:30pm |
| Sat, 17 Oct | PC3023 | English Language 3 (Test of Orals) | 45min | 2:00pm–2:45pm |
| Tue, 20 Oct | PC7022 / PC7021 | Foods & Nutrition 2 (Essay) / 1 (Objective) | 1hr15 / 1hr | 2:00pm–3:15pm / 3:15pm–4:15pm |
| Wed, 21 Oct | PC5022 / PC5021 | Agriculture 2 (Essay) / 1 (Objective) | 2hr10 / 50min | 9:30am–11:40am / 11:40am–12:30pm |
| Wed, 21 Oct | PC5023 | Agriculture 3 (Alt. to Practical) | 1hr30 | 2:00pm–3:30pm |
| Thu, 22 Oct | PC7064 | Visual Art 3B (Creative Design) | 3hr | 9:30am–12:30pm |
| Thu, 22 Oct | PC3042 | French 2 (Essay) | 1hr15 | 9:30am–10:45am |
| Fri, 23 Oct | PC3041 | French 1 (Objective) | 1hr | 10:45am–11:45am |
| Fri, 23 Oct | PC5082 / PC5081 | Health Education/Health Science 2 (Essay) / 1 (Objective) | 1hr30 / 1hr | 3:30pm–5:00pm / 5:00pm–6:00pm |
| Sat, 24 Oct | PC2162 / PC2161 | Civic Education 2 (Essay) / 1 (Objective) | 2hr / 1hr | 9:30am–11:30am / 11:30am–12:30pm |
| Tue, 27 Oct | PC7053 | Music 3A (Aural) | 45min | 2:00pm–2:45pm |
| Wed, 28 Oct | PC6083 | Technical Drawing 3 (Sketches, Building & Mechanical Drawing) | 2hr45 | 9:30am–12:15pm |
| Wed, 28 Oct | PC6082 / PC6081 | Technical Drawing 2 (Essay) / 1 (Objective) | 1hr45 / 1hr | 2:30pm–4:15pm / 4:15pm–5:15pm |
Note: For Visual Art 3, instructions for Paper 3A go to supervisors two weeks ahead, and Paper 3B question papers go to candidates two weeks ahead of the sitting date. Candidates with special needs are entitled to one and a half times the normal duration for every paper.
How to Register and Prepare
- Buy your registration PIN. Purchase from an accredited bank, WAEC office, or approved agent for ₦27,000, plus a ₦500 bank/agent commission.
- Go to the official portal. Visit registration.waecdirect.org and start or continue your registration before it closes.
- Complete biometric capture. Use the Council’s biometric software (downloadable on the same portal) or visit an accredited centre.
- Select your subjects and exam town. Choose only the subjects you genuinely need — each subject sits on its own date, so check this timetable for clashes before finalising your choices.
- Upload your passport photograph. Must be a recent, clear image on a white or plain background in JPEG format.
- Download and save your timetable and photocard. Once registration is complete, download your personalised timetable from the portal and keep both a digital and printed copy.
- Confirm your exam town and centre. Details are issued closer to the exam date — check the portal regularly in September.
Registration deadline: Sunday, 30 August 2026, 11:59pm. Late or walk-in registration is available for candidates who miss this window, at a higher fee of ₦45,000, and must be done at least 24 hours before your first scheduled paper.
How WAEC GCE 2nd Series Compares to Other O’Level Options
| Exam | Type | 2026 Window | Who It’s For |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAEC GCE 2nd Series (this guide) | Private candidates | 4 Sept – 28 Oct 2026 | Candidates outside a school, resitting or improving subjects |
| WAEC WASSCE (school candidates) | School-based | 21 Apr – 19 Jun 2026 | Current SS3 students |
| NECO GCE (External) | Private candidates | Expected Oct–Nov 2026 | Alternative private-candidate route, same admission weight |
| WAEC GCE 1st Series | Private candidates | 28 Jan – 14 Feb 2026 (already held) | Earlier-year private sitting |
📚 Also on CampusNinja:
- 2026 WASSCE Timetable (school candidates)
- NECO Grading System 2026: A1 to F9 Explained
- WAEC SSCE May/June 2026 Results
Frequently Asked Questions — WAEC GCE Timetable 2026 (2nd Series)
When does WAEC GCE 2026 2nd Series start and end?
The examination begins on Friday, 4 September 2026 with practical planning sessions and runs through to Wednesday, 28 October 2026, the date of the final paper (Technical Drawing).
When does WAEC GCE 2026 2nd Series registration close?
Registration closes on Sunday, 30 August 2026 at 11:59pm on the official portal, registration.waecdirect.org.
How much is the WAEC GCE 2026 registration fee?
The standard fee is ₦27,000, plus a ₦500 bank or agent commission. Candidates who miss the deadline can still register as walk-in candidates for ₦45,000, provided they do so at least 24 hours before their first paper.
Is the WAEC GCE 2026 2nd Series computer-based?
Objective papers are fully computer-based (CBT). Essay and practical papers use a hybrid format combining on-screen instructions with booklet-based answers, depending on the subject.
Can I combine WAEC GCE 2nd Series results with an earlier WASSCE sitting?
Yes. Most Nigerian universities and JAMB accept results combined from two different sittings — for example, a 2026 WAEC GCE result paired with a 2025 or earlier WASSCE result — as long as you meet the five-credit requirement across both. A small number of highly competitive programmes require all credits from one sitting, so always confirm with your target institution.
What happens if my exam time differs from what’s on this timetable?
Always follow the time printed on your actual question paper on exam day. WAEC’s own rule states that where the time on the question paper differs from the published timetable, the question paper takes precedence.
Where can I download the official WAEC GCE 2026 2nd Series timetable PDF?
The full official PDF is published on waecnigeria.org under the News section, titled “WASSCE FOR PRIVATE CANDIDATES, 2026 – SECOND SERIES FINAL TIMETABLE.”
Are Nigerian languages and Visual Art scheduled differently?
Yes. Nigerian languages (Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba) are grouped together on 24 September, while Visual Art is split across three separate papers (3A Drawing, 2/1 Essay & Objective, and 3B Creative Design) on different dates in September and October, so double-check each paper code carefully if you’re registered for Visual Art.
Final Thoughts
The WAEC GCE 2026 Second Series runs from 4 September to 28 October 2026, with registration closing 30 August 2026 at a fee of ₦27,000. Whether you’re resitting a single subject or sitting a full O’Level combination for the first time as a private candidate, mark your specific paper dates against this timetable well ahead of time to avoid clashes, especially if you’re registered for subjects that fall on the same day. Always confirm your personal timetable and exam centre on the official WAEC portal before the exam period begins — this guide will be updated if WAEC issues any amendments.
Source: Official WAEC Nigeria final timetable (PDF), published on waecnigeria.org in August 2026, and the live registration portal at registration.waecdirect.org, both verified at the time of writing.
⚠️ Disclaimer: Examination dates and times are set by WAEC and subject to amendment. Always verify your personal paper schedule on the official WAEC portal before your exam date. CampusNinja is not affiliated with WAEC and cannot be held responsible for changes made after our last update date.
