The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released provisional results for the 2025 WASSCE for Private Candidates (Second Series), withholding hundreds over suspected examination malpractice.

According to a press statement issued on February 26, 2026, a total of 41,767 candidates sat the examination, comprising 20,036 males and 24,501 females.

The cohort consisted of 16 visually impaired and 7 hearing-impaired candidates. WAEC also reported that 2,422 registered candidates were absent.

As part of its regulatory oversight, the Council withheld the entire results of 348 candidates and subject results of 469 others while investigations into alleged breaches continue. The reported offences include collusion, impersonation, possession of foreign materials in examination halls, and seeking external assistance.

“The withheld results of candidates will be released or cancelled based on the outcome of investigations into their cases,” the statement said.

Affected candidates have been directed to the Council’s irregularities portal to check the status of their results and review the procedures outlined in relation to the alleged infractions.

Performance data across the four core subjects revealed varied outcomes. In English Language, 67.43 per cent of candidates secured grades A1 to C6, with 11.04 per cent obtaining F9.

Core Mathematics recorded a 49.84 per cent pass rate, while 27.69 per cent of candidates failed.

Integrated Science showed relatively weaker results, with 35.00 per cent passing and 32.00 per cent failing.

Social Studies emerged as the strongest-performing subject, with 81.21 per cent attaining grades A1 to C6 and 10.42 per cent failing.

WAEC further warned the public to be cautious during the results period, highlighting fraudulent schemes targeting candidates.

“The Council wishes to caution members of the public to be wary of scammers who contact candidates and promise to upgrade their results for a fee payable through mobile money transfers,” the statement said.

Reassuring stakeholders, the Council emphasised that its results database remains secure and that certificates can only be authenticated through official verification channels.

Candidates can check their results online via the WAEC website, while institutions have been advised to rely exclusively on the Council’s verification system when confirming certificates.