Every year, thousands of candidates who sit for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) are often confused by certain symbols, abbreviations, and status codes that appear on their results slips.
While many candidates expect to see only grades, WAEC sometimes assigns special codes to indicate issues relating to a particular subject, examination paper, or the entire result. Understanding these codes is important because they can determine whether a candidate qualifies for admission, awaits further processing, or needs to take additional action.
This article explains the common WAEC status codes found on BECE and WASSCE results slips and what candidates should do when they encounter them.
What Are WAEC Status Codes?
WAEC status codes are special symbols or abbreviations used by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to communicate the status of a candidate’s examination result.
These codes usually appear when:
- Results are still being processed.
- A candidate was absent from a paper.
- WAEC is investigating examination malpractice.
- There are technical or administrative issues affecting the release of results.
- A result has been withheld, cancelled, or declared incomplete.
Understanding these codes can help candidates avoid unnecessary panic and know the next steps to take.
Complete Explanation of WAEC Status Codes
1. P – Pending
Meaning: The result for that subject is still being processed or investigated by WAEC.
What It Means for Candidates:
- The grade has not yet been finalized.
- WAEC may release the result later after completing verification processes.
- Candidates should regularly check for updates.
2. X – Absent
Meaning: The candidate was marked absent for the examination paper.
Possible Reasons:
- The candidate did not attend the examination.
- Attendance records may indicate absence.
- There could be an error in the attendance sheet.
Recommended Action: Candidates who believe they sat for the paper should immediately contact their school or the nearest WAEC office.
3. ABS – Absent
Meaning:
This carries the same meaning as “X”.
Explanation: Some WAEC result formats display ABS instead of X to indicate that the candidate was absent from the paper.
4. W – Withheld
Meaning: The result has been temporarily withheld due to suspected examination malpractice or irregularities.
Possible Causes:
- Alleged examination malpractice.
- Possession of unauthorized materials.
- Collusion or impersonation.
- Investigation involving an entire examination centre.
What Happens Next?
WAEC conducts investigations before making a final decision. The result may eventually be:
- Released,
- Cancelled, or
- Upheld as withheld depending on the findings.
5. F – Failed / Cancelled
Meaning: The candidate either failed the subject completely or the result was cancelled.
Important Note: Candidates should carefully review the remarks accompanying the result to determine the exact interpretation.
6. INC – Incomplete
Meaning: Part of the candidate’s assessment is missing.
Examples:
- Practical examination scores were not submitted.
- Continuous assessment records were unavailable.
- Some scripts could not be processed.
Recommended Action: Candidates should contact their schools and WAEC for clarification.
7. NR – No Result
Meaning: No result has been issued for the subject or examination.
Possible Reasons:
- Examination irregularities.
- Missing scripts.
- Administrative challenges during processing.
What Candidates Should Do: Wait for WAEC’s official communication or visit a WAEC office for further explanation.
8. Z – Centre Issue
Meaning: There is a problem linked to the examination centre rather than the individual candidate.
Examples:
- Irregularities affecting the entire centre.
- Ongoing investigations into centre-related malpractice.
- Administrative discrepancies.
Outcome: WAEC may release affected results after investigations are completed.
9. INDEBTED
Meaning: Outstanding examination fees have not been paid.
Explanation: The candidate’s school may owe WAEC registration or examination fees.
Effect: The result may remain inaccessible until the debt is settled.
Recommended Action: Candidates should contact their school authorities immediately.
10. OMR – Objective Marking Error
Meaning: WAEC detected an issue with the candidate’s Objective Mark Recognition (OMR) sheet.
Possible Causes:
- Improper shading of answers.
- Damaged answer sheet.
- Technical scanning problems.
What Happens Next? WAEC reviews the answer sheet before making a final determination.
11. TBA – To Be Announced
Meaning: The result or grade is not yet available.
Explanation: WAEC intends to release the result later after completing processing or verification procedures.
12. CAN – Cancelled
Meaning: The subject result or entire examination result has been cancelled.
Common Reasons:
- Examination malpractice.
- Impersonation.
- Possession of unauthorized materials.
- Other violations of examination regulations.
Important: A cancelled result is usually a final decision unless WAEC reverses it after an appeal or review process.
Why WAEC Withholds or Cancels Results
WAEC takes examination integrity seriously. Results may be withheld or cancelled due to:
- Examination malpractice.
- Leakage of examination questions.
- Possession of foreign materials.
- Bringing mobile phones into examination halls.
- Impersonation.
- Collusion among candidates.
- Organized cheating at examination centres.
Candidates are advised to comply with all examination regulations to avoid sanctions.
How to Check WAEC BECE and WASSCE Results
Candidates can check their results using:
- WAEC Results Checker Portal.
- WAEC Results Checker Card or e-Voucher.
- Official WAEC SMS services (where available).
- School authorities.
Always use official WAEC platforms to avoid fraud.
What Candidates Should Do If Their Result Has a Status Code
Depending on the code displayed:
| Status Code | Recommended Action |
|---|---|
| P | Wait for WAEC updates. |
| X / ABS | Contact school if absence is incorrect. |
| W | Await investigation outcome. |
| INC | Verify missing records with school. |
| NR | Contact WAEC for clarification. |
| Z | Wait for centre investigation results. |
| INDEBTED | Confirm fee payment status with school. |
| OMR | Await WAEC review. |
| TBA | Check periodically for updates. |
| CAN | Seek clarification from WAEC if necessary. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can a withheld WAEC result be released later?
Yes. A withheld result may be released if WAEC’s investigation clears the candidate of wrongdoing.
Does “P” mean a candidate has failed?
No. “P” simply means the result is still pending and has not yet been finalized.
Can a cancelled result be restored?
In rare circumstances, WAEC may review and reverse a cancellation if compelling evidence is presented during an appeal.
How long does WAEC take to release withheld results?
The duration varies depending on the complexity of investigations. Candidates should monitor official WAEC announcements.
What should a candidate do if marked absent but actually sat for the paper?
The candidate should immediately report the issue to the school and the nearest WAEC office with supporting evidence.
Final Thoughts
WAEC status codes on BECE and WASSCE results slips are important indicators that help candidates understand the condition of their examination results. While some codes such as P, TBA, and OMR may simply indicate ongoing processing, others like W, NR, and CAN may require closer attention.
Candidates are advised not to panic when they encounter these codes. Instead, they should carefully understand their meaning, follow the appropriate steps, and rely only on official WAEC communications for updates.
Have you encountered any of these WAEC status codes on your BECE or WASSCE results slip? Share your experience in the comments section below.
Source: GESHub.org
