The West African Examinations Council has released the Computer-Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination results for private candidates, marking the best performance in three years.
The results, announced on Friday, showed that 3,429 candidates achieved five credits including English and Mathematics. This represents 32.72 per cent of total candidates who sat the examination.
Performance Surge: A 5.76 Per Cent Improvement
The 2026 results significantly outpace previous years. According to the statement, the percentage of candidates who obtained credit and above in a minimum of five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, were 30.95 per cent in 2024 and 26.96 per cent in 2025.
“Thus, there is a marginal increase of 5.76 per cent in performance in this regard,” the statement read.
A total of 4,598 candidates, representing 43.87 per cent, obtained credit and above in a minimum of five subjects, with or without English Language and Mathematics..
Among those who achieved the core subject benchmark, 1,847 candidates (53.86 per cent) were male, while 1,582 candidates (46.14 per cent) were female.
Examination Statistics and Candidate Demographics
The examination took place nationwide between January 28 and February 14, 2026. It was conducted across 166 centres in the country.
A total of 10,523 candidates registered for the examination. This represents an 11.49 per cent increase from the 9,438 candidates recorded in 2025.
Of the registered candidates, 10,480 sat the examination. The gender distribution showed 5,106 males (48.72 per cent) and 5,374 females (51.28 per cent).
Additionally, WAEC disclosed that 43 candidates with varying degrees of special needs were registered. This included 11 visually impaired candidates, four hearing impaired candidates, and four albino candidates.
“All of whom were adequately accommodated during the examinations,” the statement noted.
Results Processing and Malpractice Investigations
WAEC indicated that 8,418 candidates, representing 80.32 per cent, had their results fully processed. However, 2,062 candidates, or 19.68 per cent, had a few subjects still under processing due to errors traceable to them.
Meanwhile, 75 candidates, representing 0.72 per cent, had their results withheld over reported cases of examination malpractice.
The statement explained that investigations are ongoing. “The Committee’s decisions will be communicated directly to the affected candidates, thereafter,” the statement read.
This year’s examination occurred amid significant reforms introduced by the Federal Government in January 2026. These included question randomisation, a ban on SS3 student transfers, and the introduction of a unique Examination Learners’ Identification Number to curb malpractice.
The reforms appear to have contributed to a reduced rate of withheld results compared to previous years, where malpractice cases often exceeded 10 per cent in some examination cycles.
Candidates can access their results on the WAEC results portal at www.waecdirect.org. Digital certificate copies are also available on the council’s website.