The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced the release of provisional results for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) – First Series for private candidates.

According to a press release issued by the Council, a total of 23,410 candidates registered for the exams. This number consists of 9,980 males and 13,430 females. Some 746 candidates who had originally registered for the exams were absent during the examination period.

WAEC observed several instances of malpractice during both the conduct of the papers and the subsequent marking exercise. As a result of these, it has withheld the subject results of 76 candidates, and the entire results of 87 others. These results will remain withheld until WAEC concludes its investigation into these cases.

Performance data for the four core subjects – English Language, Mathematics, Integrated Science and Social Studies – shows a huge disparity in grades.

Social Studies emerged as the subject with the highest pass rate, with some 8,131 candidates, representing 75.1 per cent of candidates, making Grade A1 to C6.

It was followed by English Language, where some 6,486 candidates, representing 55.9 per cent of candidates, made grades A1 to C6.

The results for Core Mathematics and Integrated Science were less encouraging for the private candidates.

Some 6,675 candidates, representing some 37.8 per cent of candidates, got between grades A1 and C6. However, some 6,936 candidates, representing 39,3 percent of candidates, got F9.

Integrated Science recorded the lowest pass rate among the core subjects, with only 3,679 candidates, representing 28.1 per cent of candidates obtaining grades A1 to C6, while a whopping 5,239 candidates, representing 40.06 per cent, failed the subject entirely.