2025 WASSCE: Private exams scheduled for Jan. 2026; registration is ongoing till the end of December 2025 – WAEC announces
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) will organise private examinations in January and February 2026 following a notable decline in performance in the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), particularly in Core Mathematics and Social Studies.
John Kapi, WAEC’s Head of Public Relations, disclosed this during an interview on Breakfast Daily on Channel One TV on Friday, 5 December.
Mr Kapi explained that the private examination initiative, launched in 2024, gives candidates an additional opportunity to improve their grades.
“Yes, we started with the first series last year [2024]. It is something that was already being done by our sister country, so we did a first series that was written in January and February 2025.
“So, come January/February 2026, we are going to organise another private examination. If there are candidates who are interested, the registration is ongoing, from now till the end of December 2025. They may register and prepare adequately,” he said.
He encouraged interested candidates to take advantage of the registration portal, which remains open until the end of December 2025.
“They should just learn and realign themselves and sit for the exam, and I believe they will make the grades for tertiary institutions,” he added.
WAEC is yet to release details on further interventions to address the broader decline in performance, but the Council believes the private exams will help candidates improve their chances of gaining admission into tertiary institutions.
