A total of 102,962 individual subject results in the four core subjects of the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) have either been cancelled or withheld by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), raising fresh concerns about the number of candidates whose progression to tertiary education could be affected by unresolved examination cases.

The figure represents the cumulative number of outstanding results in Core Mathematics, English Language, Integrated Science and Social Studies, based on the difference between the 507,813 candidates who sat each of the four core papers and the number of results released for each subject.

The scale of the outstanding results is particularly significant because some of the affected candidates may have otherwise obtained grades A1-C6, the credit passes generally required for admission to universities and other tertiary institutions.

For candidates whose results are being withheld pending investigations, the continued uncertainty could delay their ability to determine their next academic step, particularly where admission decisions depend on their WASSCE results.

The issue also raises questions about the timing of WAEC’s investigations and whether candidates whose results are being investigated should have to remain uncertain about their academic future while the cases are being processed.

102,962 results remain unresolved

The four core subjects together produced 102,962 results that were not released with the rest of the provisional results.

Core Mathematics had the largest number of outstanding results, with 18,346.

English Language recorded the highest number, however, with 49,928 results not released.

Integrated Science had 20,897 outstanding results, while Social Studies recorded 13,791.

The four figures—18,346, 49,928, 20,897 and 13,791—add up to the total 102,962 individual subject results either cancelled or withheld.

The figures are individual subject results rather than necessarily the number of unique candidates, meaning that one candidate could potentially have more than one subject result affected.

This distinction is important in assessing the scale of the problem.

The 102,962 figure therefore represents the number of subject results affected across the four core papers, not necessarily 102,962 different candidates.

English accounts for nearly half of outstanding results

English Language accounts for the largest share of the outstanding results.

WAEC released 457,885 English Language results out of the 507,813 candidates who sat the paper, leaving 49,928 results outstanding.

That means almost 50,000 English Language results were either cancelled or withheld.

The scale is particularly significant because English Language is one of the core subjects required by many tertiary institutions.

Of the English Language results that were released, 315,094 candidates, representing 62.40%, obtained A1-C6.

Another 49,771 candidates (9.86%) obtained D7, while 37,080 candidates (7.34%) obtained E8.

A further 55,940 candidates (11.08%) obtained F9.

The outstanding 49,928 results therefore sit alongside a substantial number of released results in the lower grade categories.

For candidates whose English Language results have been withheld, the eventual outcome could have direct consequences for their eligibility for tertiary education, particularly where a credit pass in English is mandatory.

18,346 Mathematics results outstanding

In Core Mathematics, WAEC released 489,467 results out of the 507,813 candidates who sat the paper.

This left 18,346 results outstanding, either because they had been cancelled or withheld.

The released Mathematics results show that 306,234 candidates, representing 60.75%, obtained A1-C6.

However, 54,420 candidates (10.80%) obtained D7, 54,121 candidates (10.74%) obtained E8, while 74,692 candidates (14.82 per cent) recorded F9.

The 183,233 candidates who obtained D7, E8 or F9 therefore did not secure the A1-C6 credit pass in Core Mathematics.

Against that background, the 18,346 Mathematics results that remain outstanding represent another group whose final academic position is yet to be determined.

For candidates whose results are eventually released and who have obtained A1-C6, the outcome could make the difference between meeting and failing to meet university admission requirements.

20,897 Integrated Science results withheld or cancelled

Integrated Science recorded 486,916 results released, leaving 20,897 results outstanding out of the 507,813 candidates who sat the paper.

The released results show that 309,605 candidates, representing 62.08%, obtained A1-C6.

However, 54,649 candidates (10.96%) obtained D7, while 46,526 candidates (9.33%) obtained E8.

Another 76,136 candidates (15.27%) obtained F9.

The combined number of candidates obtaining D7, E8 and F9 was therefore 177,311.

The 20,897 outstanding results represent candidates whose final performance in Integrated Science remains unresolved.

This is particularly important for candidates seeking admission to programmes where the science subject forms part of the required core-subject combination.

13,791 Social Studies results outstanding

Social Studies recorded the smallest number of outstanding results among the four core subjects.

WAEC released 494,022 results from the 507,813 candidates who sat the paper, leaving 13,791 results outstanding.

Social Studies recorded the strongest performance among the four core subjects in terms of the proportion obtaining A1-C6.

A total of 393,918 candidates, representing 78.04%, obtained A1-C6.

Another 35,435 candidates (7.02%) obtained D7, while 25,253 candidates (5%) obtained E8.

A further 39,416 candidates (7.81%) obtained F9.

The total number below the A1-C6 credit threshold was therefore 100,104.

Against this performance, the 13,791 outstanding results could still affect a significant number of candidates awaiting their final status.

WAEC cancels entire results of 861 candidates

The wider examination results released by WAEC reveal that the outstanding subject results form part of a broader crackdown on suspected examination malpractice.

WAEC cancelled the entire results of 861 candidates for possessing mobile phones in examination halls.

The Council also cancelled the subject results of 7,434 candidates for bringing foreign materials into the examination halls.

The foreign materials included prepared notes, textbooks and printed materials.

The scale of the cancellations demonstrates that examination malpractice remains a significant concern in the administration of the WASSCE.

The cancellation of entire results for 861 candidates means the consequences of the alleged violations extend beyond individual subjects.

For another 7,434 candidates, the sanctions were applied to particular subject results.

957 candidates have subject results withheld

WAEC also withheld the subject results of 957 candidates and the entire results of 270 candidates for various suspected offences.

In addition, the subject results of candidates from 169 schools were withheld over alleged collusion.

WAEC said those cases were still under investigation.

The Council’s position is that the withheld results may eventually be released or cancelled depending on the outcome of the investigations.

According to a statement issued by Mr John K. Kapi, Head of Public Affairs, WAEC National Office, the withheld results may be released or cancelled by October 30, 2026, depending on the outcome of investigations.

That deadline places the affected candidates in a period of uncertainty as they await the final determination of their cases.

169 schools caught in collusion investigations

The withholding of results involving candidates from 169 schools adds another dimension to the issue.

Unlike cases involving an individual candidate’s alleged misconduct, collusion investigations involving entire schools could affect multiple candidates at the same time.

The fact that results from candidates in 169 schools have been withheld means that the investigation process potentially extends across a wide range of institutions.

The cases also raise concerns about the impact on candidates who may not themselves have participated in any wrongdoing but whose results have been caught up in investigations involving their schools.

For such candidates, the consequences could extend beyond the examination itself, particularly if the withholding of results delays university applications or other post-secondary plans.

Psychological and academic consequences

The withholding of examination results carries consequences beyond the administrative process.

Candidates awaiting results may face uncertainty over their academic future, especially where university admission deadlines coincide with the period of investigation.

For candidates who eventually obtain the required A1-C6 grades, a delay in releasing their results could potentially affect their ability to make timely decisions about tertiary education.

This is particularly significant for candidates who may need to submit their WASSCE results as part of admission applications.

The uncertainty could also create anxiety among candidates and their families, who may not know whether the results will eventually be released, cancelled or adjusted following investigations.

The issue therefore raises the broader question of whether investigations into suspected examination malpractice can be conducted quickly enough to protect the academic interests of candidates while preserving the integrity of the examination system.

WAEC urges candidates to check their status

WAEC has directed candidates whose results have been cancelled or withheld to visit its website and click on the “Withheld/Cancelled” button on the home page.

Candidates would then be redirected to the “Irregularity and Investigations” page, where they could find the reasons for the withholding or cancellation of their results and information on the next line of action for withheld results.

The procedure is intended to give affected candidates access to information about their cases rather than leaving them without an explanation for the missing results.

WAEC has also indicated that the cases remain subject to investigation and that the eventual outcome could determine whether the withheld results are released or cancelled.

512,862 candidates registered

The 2026 WASSCE itself attracted a significantly larger entry than the previous year.

A total of 512,862 candidates registered for the examination.

They comprised 225,270 males and 287,592 females from 1,022 schools.

WAEC said the figure represented an 11.07% increase over the 2025 entry figure of 461,736.

The increase means that the examination involved a substantially larger candidate population than the previous year.

Of the 512,862 registered candidates, 5,049 candidates, representing 0.98%, were absent from the examination.

The number of candidates who actually sat each of the four core subjects used in the analysis was 507,813.

The difference between the total registered candidates and those who sat the papers is therefore reflected in the 5,049 absentees.

The scale of the examination

The size of the 2026 examination makes the number of cancelled and withheld results particularly significant.

With 512,862 candidates registered from 1,022 schools, and 507,813 candidates sitting each of the four core papers, the examination represents one of the country’s largest annual assessments of young people completing secondary education.

The entry also reflects a substantial increase from 461,736 candidates in 2025, with WAEC recording an 11.07% rise.

Against that large candidate population, the 102,962 individual subject results cancelled or withheld across the four core subjects represent a sizeable number of unresolved examination outcomes.

A complex picture of cancelled and withheld results

The overall situation is complicated by the fact that cancelled results and withheld results do not have the same status.

A cancelled result represents a decision already taken by WAEC in relation to an examination irregularity, while a withheld result remains subject to investigation and could eventually be released or cancelled.

WAEC’s figures indicate that 861 candidates had their entire results cancelled for possessing mobile phones, while 7,434 candidates had subject results cancelled for bringing foreign materials, including prepared notes, textbooks and printed materials, into examination halls.

In addition, the Council withheld the subject results of 957 candidates and the entire results of 270 candidates for various suspected offences.

Results involving candidates from 169 schools were also withheld over alleged collusion.

These figures illustrate the range of examination irregularities being investigated or sanctioned.

The university admission implications

The issue becomes particularly important because of the role WASSCE results play in determining access to tertiary education.

Credit passes in Core English, Core Mathematics and either Integrated Science or Social Studies, together with three relevant elective subjects, are required for university admission.

Most higher education institutions also require at least five credit passes, C6 and above, including English Language and Mathematics, in one or two sittings.

This means that a candidate whose result in one of these key subjects is withheld may not immediately know whether they meet the admission requirements.

For candidates whose withheld results eventually turn out to be A1-C6, the delay could prove consequential if admission deadlines fall before the results are released.

Conversely, candidates whose results are eventually cancelled may have to seek alternative options or rewrite the affected subjects.

A call for faster resolution

The figures have renewed concerns about the process by which examination irregularities are investigated and resolved.

There is a legitimate need for WAEC to protect the integrity of the WASSCE and to investigate suspected malpractice thoroughly.

At the same time, candidates whose results are withheld pending investigations face uncertainty through no final determination having been made against them.

The challenge, therefore, is to strike a balance between protecting the credibility of the examination and ensuring that innocent candidates are not subjected to prolonged uncertainty.

With WAEC indicating that some withheld results may be released or cancelled by October 30, 2026, the speed and transparency of the investigations will be closely watched.

The numbers tell the story

The 2026 WASSCE figures reveal the scale of the challenge.

A total of 512,862 candidates registered for the examination, comprising 225,270 males and 287,592 females, from 1,022 schools.

The entry was 11.07% higher than the 461,736 candidates who registered in 2025.

Of the 2026 candidates, 5,049, representing 0.98%, were absent.

For each of the four core subjects, 507,813 candidates sat the examination.

Of these, WAEC released 489,467 Mathematics results, leaving 18,346 outstanding.

For English Language, 457,885 results were released, leaving 49,928 outstanding.

For Integrated Science, 486,916 results were released, leaving 20,897 outstanding.

For Social Studies, 494,022 results were released, leaving 13,791 outstanding.

Together, the four subjects produced 102,962 individual subject results that were either cancelled or withheld.

The broader sanctions included the cancellation of the entire results of 861 candidates for possessing mobile phones, the cancellation of subject results of 7,434 candidates for bringing foreign materials into examination halls, the withholding of subject results of 957 candidates, the cancellation of the entire results of 270 candidates for various suspected offences, and the withholding of results involving candidates from 169 schools over alleged collusion.

WAEC has set October 30, 2026 as the point by which withheld results may be released or cancelled, depending on the outcome of the investigations.

Until then, thousands of candidates remain caught between the examination they have completed and the academic future they are waiting to begin.

The 102,962 outstanding subject results therefore represent more than a statistical footnote to the 2026 WASSCE.

They represent thousands of unresolved academic outcomes at a critical point in the educational journey of Ghana’s young people, with the eventual decisions potentially determining whether affected candidates proceed to tertiary education, seek alternative pathways or return to the examination room.