WAEC Registration 2025/2026 Fees, Deadlines, Expos & Secrets No One told You

By AlozieGodswill April 22, 2025 WAEC Registration 2025 0 Comments

Do you Now that The West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for private candidates in the first series of 2025 is now open for registration?.

I’m Dr Alozie Godswill I will share tips on WAEC Registration 2025/2026 Fees, Deadlines, Expos & Secrets No One told You, So stay update The Waec Registration 2025 is Starts Date is January 26th, 2025 Fee: ₦27,000 + ₦500 bank commission and the Registration Deadline.

for the deadline, The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced that the registration deadline for the 2025 WASSCE (WASSCE) for Private Candidates, First Series, has been extended to Monday, January 20, 2025.

This means that candidates who haven’t yet registered can still do so before this new deadline. The initial registration deadline was Monday, January 6, 2025.

In this blog, I’ll break down:

WAEC & a quick history
The difference between WAEC and SSCE
Importance of WAEC certificate
2025 WAEC registration fee update
Things you MUST know before registering WAEC
Choosing your courses the right way
How to Register for WAEC GCE 2025
How to register WAEC online
Understanding WAEC scratch cards
Tips for succeeding after your WAEC registration
Popular WAEC terminologies and what they mean
WAEC result grading system
WAEC exams calendar
WAEC marking scheme

WAEC Brief History

WAEC was established in 1952 as an examining board to put Together the examination of secondary school students in the West African sub-region. Nigeria was a British colony then, and so WAEC was a significant tool in the British Empire’s education policies.

WAEC tested candidates in a handful of subjects in its early years, covering a small number of academic disciplines. Examinations were done manually and were very time-consuming, with written scripts being physically transported to and from the examination centers to be marked and graded.

Despite these, WAEC quickly became the standard examination board for secondary school education in Nigeria and across the other West African countries.

WAEC, SSCE: What’s the Difference?

The Nigerian Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) is written by students at the end of senior secondary school. Conducted by government-accredited agencies, it is official proof of education and academic qualification, and required for university or job applications.

WAEC

Waec stands for the West African Examination Council, A body which is responsible for conduction the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination, for the five west African Anglophonic nation which Include Nigeria, Ghana, Gambia, etc.

WASSCE for school candidates is conducted once every year between the months of May and June.

On the other hand, WASSCE for private candidates is conducted two times a year – first series and second series. First series is conducted in January/February and second series is conducted in August/September.

This is a private exam commonly referred to as General Certificate Examinations (GCE), and anyone willing can register to take it – this one does not have a limit on who is to take the exams.

Candidates must register for 8–9 subjects in the SSCE. Candidates may write the examination with one or more accredited institutions (e.g., WAEC) to enhance the chances of getting needed credits. Double results of two SSCEs are also accepted by some institutions. Subject options are:

3 compulsory subjects: English Language,
Mathematics, Civic Education
3–4 subjects in the candidate’s field of study
(science, technology, humanities, or business)
Minimum 1 trade subject.

Importance of the Waec Certificate

University or polytechnic admissions
NYSC documentation
Job applications (many ask for your result slip or certificate)
Visa applications, in some cases

WAEC Registration Fee 2025

Fees for this year in WAEC starts from ₦18,000 to ₦30,000, considering whether the candidate was registered through school or as private candidate, choice of exam center (since there may be added logistic fees with it), and early or late registration.

What You Must Know Before Registering WAEC

Before you register, make sure you:

Have a valid NIN (National Identification Number)
Understand your career path so you can pick the right subjects
Know the minimum number of subjects (at least 7, including Maths & English)
Meet your school deadlines or WAEC deadlines if registering privately

How to Register for WAEC GCE 2025

Get Registration PIN: Pay your registration fee at a specified payment center (e.g., bank or approved agent) to receive a unique Registration PIN belonging to you.
Visit the Registration Portal: Log in using the PIN you received via the official WAEC Registration Portal.
Input Your National Identification Number (NIN): Be prepared with your National Identification Number (NIN) since it will be required for registration.
Special Needs Candidates: If you have any special needs (e.g., hearing, visual impairment), kindly state the nature of the impairment while registering online.
Complete the Registration Form: Double-check all your personal information like name, date of birth, gender, passport photo, and subjects. Ensure that you complete the registration within two weeks from the date of starting the process.
Print Your Admission Notice: Print your Admission Notice, which contains your Result Checker PIN for future use.

READ ALSO:
WAEC Chemistry Practical Specimen 2025
WAEC Data Processing Practical Specimen 2025/2026
WAEC Biology Practical Specimen 2025/2026

WAEC/SSCE Grading System.

Grade	Score Range	Remark
A1	95–100	Excellent
B2	94–80	Very Good
B3	79–65	Good
C4	64–60	Credit
C5	59–55	Credit
C6	54–50	Credit
D7	49–45	Pass
E8	44–40	Pass
F9	39–0	Fail

To Get A1 you must score between 75% – 100%
To Get B2 you must score between 70% – 74%
To Get B3 you must score between 65% – 69%
To Get C4 you must score between 60% – 64%
To Get C5 you must score between 55% – 59%
To Get C6 you must score between 50% – 54%
To Get D7 you must score between 45% – 49%
To Get E8 you must score between 40% – 45%
To obtain F9 you must score between 0% – 44%

Frequently Asked Questions

When Is WAEC Written Every Year?

May and July for school candidates. Private candidates (GCE) write in January/February and August/September.

Is WAEC registration still on for 2025?

Yes, WAEC registration for 2025 is still ongoing as of April. You should register before the official deadline, which is usually around May or June. Make sure to confirm specific dates from your school or center.

How much is the registration fee for WAEC?

The average registration fee is ₦18,000 – ₦30,000

What are the requirements for WAEC registration?

You’ll need a valid NIN, passport photograph, accurate personal details, and your subject selections. Biometric data is also required.

How can I register for WAEC as a private candidate?

Visit the WAEC portal, input your PIN, fill in your details, upload your photo and biometrics, and print your slip.

What is the age limit for writing WAEC?

There’s no official age limit, but most candidates are between 15–20 years old. You must have completed secondary school or be in your final year.

How much is a WAEC scratch card?

Prices range from ₦1,500 to ₦3,000 depending on the vendor and platform.

What is the difference between school and private candidate in WAEC?

School candidates register through their school. Private candidates register independently for GCE.

How many years is WAEC valid for?

WAEC certificates are valid for life.

Is NIN needed for WAEC registration?

Yes, NIN is now mandatory for all candidates.

Is candidate number the same as exam number?

Yes, they are the same — used to identify you during and after the exam.

What is the lowest grade in WAEC?

F9 — it means fail.

Conclusion

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) represents students of English-speaking West Africa, and the National Examinations Council (NECO) is a Nigerian educational body responsible for conducting the annual Senior Secondary Certificate Examination.

So, how much does WAEC and NECO registration cost in 2025? WAEC registration is ₦27,000 while NECO registration is ₦22,250 WAEC and NECO 2025 registration fees differ somewhat, with the former charging a slightly higher price than the latter.

Both the examination bodies offer online registration through their official website. What does WAEC and NECO registration cost 2025? The fee for WAEC registration is ₦27,000, while that of NECO is ₦22,250 for the year 2025. The two examination councils accept online

WAEC 2025