The West African Examinations Council has announced that 32.72 per cent of candidates who sat for the 2026 Computer-Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination (CB-WASSCE) for Private Candidates, First Series, obtained credits in at least five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.
According to the examination body, a total of 3,429 candidates out of 10,480 participants achieved the benchmark required for admission into higher institutions.
A breakdown of the successful candidates shows that 1,847 were male, representing 53.86 per cent, while 1,582 were female, accounting for 46.14 per cent—indicating a relatively balanced gender performance.
Reacting to the results, WAEC described the outcome as a positive development, attributing the improvement to better preparation by candidates and ongoing reforms in the conduct of its examinations.
“The performance improvement is the result of better preparation by candidates and our continued efforts to enhance the conduct of examinations. We remain committed to promoting academic excellence and maintaining the integrity of our processes,” the council stated.
The 2026 performance reflects a steady upward trend, marking a 5.76 per cent increase from the 26.96 per cent pass rate recorded in 2025. WAEC also noted that the results improved from 30.95 per cent in 2024, underscoring consistent progress among private candidates.
The council reiterated its commitment to delivering credible and fair examinations that meet both national and regional standards.
“We congratulate the candidates who met the benchmark and encourage those who did not to continue striving for success,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, WAEC disclosed that the results of 75 candidates have been withheld over alleged examination malpractice.
The body explained that the cases are currently under investigation and will be reviewed by the appropriate committee for final determination. It added that decisions taken will be communicated directly to the affected candidates after due process.