Following the unprecedented decline in performance recorded in the 2025 WASSCE, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has officially opened registration for the 2026 WASSCE for Private Candidates (Nov/Dec). The announcement comes at a crucial time, as thousands of candidates who failed Core Mathematics, Integrated Science, English Language, and Social Studies will need to re-sit the exams to secure tertiary admission.

This article provides a comprehensive overview of the 2025 results statistics, the implications for students, and the newly released 2026 Nov/Dec registration dates and fees—presented with a clear and accurate fee table as provided by WAEC.

2025 WASSCE – A Year of Alarming Decline

WAEC’s official provisional results for the 2025 school candidates show one of the steepest declines in Ghana’s recent educational history. Out of 461,736 candidates, the failures recorded across the four core subjects were exceptionally high.

Failure Statistics (E8–F9)

• English Language: 131,097 failed (30.27%)
• Core Mathematics: 220,008 failed (50.54%)
• Integrated Science: 161,606 failed (39.87%)
• Social Studies: 196,727 failed (44%)

Core Mathematics experienced the sharpest drop, falling from a 66.86% pass rate in 2024 to 48.73% in 2025—the worst in four years. This crash disqualified thousands of students from pursuing science, business, health, and technical programs.

Social Studies, normally considered an easier subject, also recorded an alarming failure rate of 44%, making 2025 one of the most troubling years in WAEC performance trends.

Why 2026 Nov/Dec Registration Matters More Than Ever

With such high failure rates in 2025, especially in Core Mathematics and Social Studies, the number of students seeking to rewrite the exams is expected to rise sharply. Many candidates will depend on the 2026 Nov/Dec examination to secure the grades required for university and professional school admissions.

WAEC has, therefore, released the registration schedule and cost structure for the 2026 Private Candidates’ examination to give students ample time to prepare and register.

2026 Nov/Dec Registration Dates

WAEC announced that registration for the 2026 First Series (Nov/Dec) will:

Begin: 2nd December, 2025
End: 31st December 2025

The examinations themselves will be held from:

January 2026 to February 2026
(Expected final timetable: 23 January 2026 – 14 February 2026)

Candidates are encouraged to register early to avoid last-minute congestion at WAEC offices and approved centers.

2026 Nov/Dec Examination Fees (Cost Per Subject)

Below is the full breakdown of the approved fees for the 2026 WASSCE Private Candidates’ examination, exactly as presented in the official WAEC document:

Registration Fees Table

S/N	Number of Subjects	Fee Payable (GHS)
1	6 or more subjects	856.96
	5 subjects	810.00
	4 subjects	760.20
	3 subjects	703.72
	2 subjects	670.12
	1 subject	635.74
2	Project/Practical/ICT (per paper)	92.00
3	Oral (French & English)	88.00

Candidates offering science practicals, ICT practicals, or Oral English/French will pay the additional fees accordingly.

Where & How to Register

WAEC has outlined the following registration procedures:

Registration Locations

• Any WAEC regional office
• WAEC Head Office
• WAEC-approved registration centres
• Accredited internet cafés near WAEC offices

Private SHSs and remedial schools do NOT register candidates for the First Series exam.

Registration Procedure

1. Begin online registration at any approved WAEC centre.
2. Print your invoice after filling in your details.
3. Pay the appropriate fee at a WAEC-designated bank.
4. Return to complete biometric capture and finalize registration.

Examination Centres

All 2026 re-sit exams will take place strictly at WAEC-designated examination halls across the country. No remedial school examination centres will be used for the 2026 First Series.

Conclusion

With the 2025 WASSCE results revealing widespread failure—especially in Core Mathematics and Social Studies—the 2026 Nov/Dec examination has become a lifeline for thousands of students. WAEC’s early release of the registration window and fee structure is timely, giving candidates the opportunity to plan, prepare, and rewrite the subjects they need for tertiary admission.

Students are strongly advised not to delay registration and to begin preparations early to avoid repeating the pitfalls that led to the 2025 performance decline.

Source: GESHub.org