WASSCE records 32.72% pass rate

The West African Examinations Council has released the results of the Computer-Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination for Private Candidates, 2026 – First Series, recording a 32.72 per cent pass rate.

This was contained in a statement released on Friday by the Head of Public Affairs at the WAEC National Office, Moyosola Adesina.

According to the statement, out of 10,523 candidates who sat the examination, 3,429 candidates representing 32.72 per cent obtained credit and above in a minimum of five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.

The statement read, “3,429 candidates representing 32.72 per cent obtained credit and above in a minimum of five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.

“The percentage of candidates in this category in the WASSCE for Private Candidates, 2024 and 2025 – First Series, that is, those who obtained credit and above in a minimum of five (5) subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, were 30.95 per cent and 26.96 per cent respectively. Thus, there is a marginal increase of 5.76 per cent in performance in this regard.

This is the highest pass rate in three years, compared to 30.95 per cent in 2024 and 2025 First Series of the CB-WASSCE, according to the statement.

Meanwhile, 4,598 candidates (43.87 per cent) obtained credit and above in a minimum of five subjects (with or without English Language and Mathematics).

Of those who achieved credit in the core subjects, 1,847 (53.86 per cent) were male, while 1,582 (46.14 per cent) were female, reflecting a slight male lead.

Meanwhile, WAEC indicated that while 8,418 (80.32 per cent) candidates had their results fully processed, 2,062 (19.68 per cent) had a few subjects still under processing due to errors.

WAEC also noted that 75 candidates (0.72per cent) had their results withheld over reported cases of examination malpractice. Investigations are ongoing, and affected candidates will be informed directly of the Council’s decisions.

The examination, conducted nationwide between January 28, and February 14, 2026, saw 10,523 candidates register, an 11.49 per cent increase from the 9,438 candidates in 2025.

Of these, 10,480 candidates sat the examination across 166 centres in the country.

WAEC disclosed that among the candidates, 43 candidates with varying degrees of special needs were registered, including 11 visually impaired, four hearing impaired, and four albino candidates, all of whom were adequately accommodated during the examinations.

The gender distribution of candidates showed that 5,106 were males (48.72 per cent) and 5,374 were females (51.28 per cent).