The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has officially released the provisional results for the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) for School Candidates. Along with the release of the results, the Council has published key statistics covering candidate participation, examination centres, absentee figures, candidates with special needs, and examination malpractice cases.
This article provides a detailed breakdown of the 2026 BECE results statistics, helping candidates, parents, teachers, and other stakeholders understand the numbers behind this year’s examination.
WAEC Releases 2026 BECE Results
The West African Examinations Council announced that it has released the provisional results of candidates who sat for the 2026 BECE for School Candidates.
According to the Council, school candidates’ results will be dispatched to their respective schools through the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Directors of Education. Candidates who wish to access their results online may also do so through WAEC’s official results-checking platform.
The release marks the successful completion of another nationwide Basic Education Certificate Examination.
2026 BECE Candidate Statistics
The 2026 BECE attracted hundreds of thousands of candidates from schools across Ghana.
Total Number of Candidates
A total of 620,243 candidates registered and sat for the examination.
This figure comprises:
- 304,415 male candidates
- 315,828 female candidates
The candidates came from 20,789 participating schools nationwide.
Candidates with Special Needs
WAEC continued its commitment to inclusive education by providing examination accommodations for candidates with special educational needs.
The Council disclosed that the examination included:
- 136 candidates with visual impairment
- 282 candidates with hearing assessment needs
- 510 candidates with other test accommodation needs
These arrangements ensured that eligible candidates received the necessary support to participate in the examination.
Number of Examination Centres
The 2026 BECE was conducted at: 2,237 examination centres across the country. This enabled candidates from all participating schools to sit for the examination at designated centres.
Number of Absent Candidates
Out of the 620,243 candidates who entered for the examination, 3,601 candidates were absent.
2026 BECE Examination Malpractice Statistics
Following investigations into examination irregularities detected during the conduct of the examination and the marking of scripts, the 37th Meeting of the Final Awards and Examiners’ Appointment Committee for BECE 2026, held on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, approved sanctions against affected candidates.
The sanctions are as follows.
Subject Results Cancelled
The subject results of 496 candidates have been cancelled.
Entire Results Cancelled
The entire results of 105 candidates have been cancelled.
Subject Results Withheld
The subject results of 119 candidates have been withheld pending further investigations.
Entire Results Withheld
The entire results of 48 candidates have also been withheld.
2,722 Candidates Under Further Scrutiny
WAEC further disclosed that the subject results of 2,722 candidates from 229 schools have been withheld for further scrutiny.
According to the Council, investigations into these cases are ongoing. The withheld results may either be released or cancelled, depending on the outcome of the investigations, which are expected to be completed by August 31, 2026.
How to Check Withheld or Cancelled Results
Candidates whose results have been withheld or cancelled are required to visit the WAEC irregularity portal and click on the “Withheld/Cancelled” button on the homepage.
The portal will provide:
- The reason why the result has been withheld or cancelled.
- Updates on the investigation process.
- Information on the next line of action for candidates whose results have been withheld.
Heads of schools and proprietors may also use their results listing login credentials to check the status of affected candidates.
WAEC Warns Against Result Upgrade Fraud
The Council has cautioned candidates, parents and the general public to be vigilant against fraudsters who claim they can upgrade examination results in exchange for money.
WAEC stressed that BECE results are secure and can be authenticated, urging candidates not to fall victim to such fraudulent schemes.
2026 BECE Results Statistics Summary
| Category | Statistics |
|---|---|
| Total Candidates | 620,243 |
| Male Candidates | 304,415 |
| Female Candidates | 315,828 |
| Participating Schools | 20,789 |
| Examination Centres | 2,237 |
| Candidates Absent | 3,601 |
| Candidates with Visual Impairment | 136 |
| Candidates with Hearing Assessment Needs | 282 |
| Candidates with Other Test Accommodation Needs | 510 |
| Subject Results Cancelled | 496 |
| Entire Results Cancelled | 105 |
| Subject Results Withheld | 119 |
| Entire Results Withheld | 48 |
| Additional Subject Results Under Scrutiny | 2,722 candidates |
| Schools Under Investigation | 229 |
| Investigation Deadline | August 31, 2026 |
Key Highlights of the 2026 BECE Results
- WAEC has released the provisional results for the 2026 BECE for School Candidates.
- 620,243 candidates participated in the examination.
- Female candidates (315,828) outnumbered male candidates (304,415).
- The examination was conducted in 2,237 centres across Ghana.
- 3,601 candidates were absent.
- WAEC cancelled the subject results of 496 candidates and the entire results of 105 candidates following investigations into examination malpractice.
- The subject results of 119 candidates and the entire results of 48 candidates have been withheld.
- An additional 2,722 candidates from 229 schools remain under investigation, with final decisions expected by August 31, 2026.
- WAEC has advised candidates to ignore anyone offering to upgrade examination results for a fee, emphasizing that all results are secure and can be authenticated.
Final Thoughts
The release of the 2026 BECE results marks an important milestone for the over 620,000 candidates who participated in this year’s examination. While the vast majority of candidates can now access their provisional results, WAEC has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the integrity of the examination system by taking firm action against examination malpractice.
Candidates whose results have been withheld are encouraged to follow the official procedures provided by WAEC and await the outcome of ongoing investigations, while all candidates should rely only on official WAEC channels for result-related information.
Published By: Justice Donkoh | GESHub.org
