WASSCE 2026 Chaos: English Language Scores Plummet, 8,295 Results Canceled Amid Irregularities

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released the provisional results for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for School Candidates, indicating a notable increase in participation. A total of 512,862 candidates from 1,022 schools registered for the examination, marking an 11.07 per cent rise compared to the 461,736 candidates who entered in 2025. This represents an increase of over 50,000 candidates year-on-year, reflecting a growing cohort.

The 2026 examination saw a larger female contingent, with 287,592 females participating compared to 225,270 males. Out of the total registered candidates, 5,049, or 0.98 per cent, were absent from the examination. WAEC has made these provisional results accessible online, with login credentials to be provided to heads of schools, and candidates can also access their results via the official WAEC website.

An analysis of performance across the four core subjects reveals mixed outcomes for the 2026 WASSCE. Social Studies emerged as the best-performing core subject, while English Language recorded a progressive decline over the past four years. Mathematics (Core) and Integrated Science, however, showed significant improvements in performance compared to the previous year, with their results varying between 2023 and 2026.

Social Studies demonstrated the strongest performance, with 78.04 per cent of candidates achieving grades between A1 and C6. This marks a sharp improvement from 55.82 per cent in 2025 and is also higher than the 76.76 per cent recorded in 2023 and 71.53 per cent in 2024.

Conversely, English Language continued its downward trend, with 62.40 per cent of candidates securing A1-C6 grades in 2026, a decline from 69.00 per cent in 2025. WAEC's four-year data confirms this consistent fall, with percentages dropping from 73.11 per cent in 2023 to 69.52 per cent in 2024, then 69.00 per cent in 2025, before reaching 62.40 per cent in 2026. In the 2026 examination, 315,094 candidates obtained A1-C6 in English Language, while 49,771 obtained D7, 37,080 recorded E8, and 55,940 obtained F9.

Mathematics (Core) saw a significant recovery, with the proportion of candidates achieving A1-C6 increasing from 48.73 per cent in 2025 to 60.75 per cent in 2026. While this 2026 figure was below the 62.23 per cent recorded in 2023, it represents a substantial improvement. Similarly, Integrated Science performance improved, rising from 57.74 per cent in 2025 to 62.08 per cent in 2026.

However, the 2026 WASSCE was also marred by various irregularities, leading to the cancellation of results for 8,295 candidates following investigations. Subject results for 7,434 candidates were cancelled for bringing unauthorized foreign materials, such as prepared notes, textbooks, and printed material, into examination halls. Additionally, the entire results of 861 candidates were cancelled due to possession of mobile phones in examination halls.

Further, the subject results of 957 candidates and the entire results of another 270 candidates have been withheld over various suspected offenses. Results for candidates from 169 schools are also being withheld due to alleged collusion, with investigations ongoing and expected to conclude by October 30, 2026. These decisions were made after considerations by the 42nd Meeting of the Ghana Examinations Committee on Friday, August 7, 2026. Candidates whose results have been affected are advised to consult the Council’s irregularity and investigations platform for details and next steps.

WAEC has also issued stern warnings against fraudsters who claim they can upgrade examination results for a fee. The Council emphasized that its results are secure and can be authenticated through its official results verification system and QR code, urging candidates and stakeholders to disregard any claims of altering or upgrading results.