The news says: The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced the commencement of registration for the 2026 second series of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for Private Candidates, also known as WAEC GCE. The registration fee is Twenty Seven Thousand Naira (N27,000), and the examination will be computer-based.

Who are the people involved in this examination?

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) – the examining body. Private candidates – individuals who are not in regular school and wish to obtain their WAEC certificate. Approved banks (Access, Ecobank, First Bank, GTB, UBA, Zenith, and others listed). Cashless payment channels (Paga, Palmpay, Paycom, Interswitch, etc.). Candidates with special needs (visual impairment, low vision, spastic, speech, hard of hearing, etc.). WAEC registration points, cyber cafes, and WAEC offices.

Where does this registration take place?

Registration is online via the WAEC GCE registration portal. Candidates can buy registration PINs and complete their biometric capturing at accredited banks, cyber cafes, WAEC offices, and WAEC Registration Points nationwide. The examination will be conducted at designated CBT centres across Nigeria.

What is the cost of registration?

The registration fee is N27,000. Banks and accredited agents will charge an additional N500 as commission. Walk-in candidates (registering after the deadline) pay N45,000. The fee is non-refundable.

When is the registration deadline?

Generation of PIN closes on Friday, 31 July 2026. Candidates must complete biometric capturing and online registration by 11:59 pm on Sunday, 2 August 2026. Candidates must finish registration within two weeks of first accessing the registration website.

Why is the examination important?

The WAEC GCE is the second chance for many Nigerians who did not get their O’Level results in school. It is required for university admission, job applications, and career advancement. Without it, many doors remain closed.

How is the examination conducted?

The examination is computer-based (CBT). Objective papers are fully CBT. Essay and test of practical papers are hybrid – questions appear on screen, answers written in booklets. WAEC will hold an online mock examination for interested registered candidates to familiarise themselves with the CBT environment.

8 essential things you must know about WAEC GCE 2026 registration.

1. The registration fee is N27,000 – plus N500 commission to banks/agents. Walk-in fee is N45,000. Candidates should budget N27,500 for standard registration (N27,000 + N500). Late registration as a “walk-in” candidate costs N45,000 – nearly double. The message is clear: register early. There is a heavy financial penalty for lateness.

2. Biometric capturing is mandatory – WAEC uses fingerprints to validate candidates at exam centres. This is a fraud prevention measure. Candidates must capture their biometrics during registration. At the examination hall, WAEC will verify fingerprints. If fingerprints do not match, the candidate will not be allowed to write. This prevents impersonation – a common malpractice.

3. Passport photographs must meet strict specifications – poor photos invalidate entry. WAEC requires: digital camera (Microsoft HD 3000), JPEG format, 275 x 314 pixels, 72 dpi resolution, good-quality black and white or colour, contrasting background. No obstructive items. A defaced or poor-quality photograph will invalidate the candidate’s entry. Candidates must not joke with photo standards.

4. Candidates have only two weeks to complete registration after first portal access. Once a candidate logs into the registration portal, the clock starts. They have two weeks to finish biometric capturing, fill details, upload photo, and submit. Miss the deadline – even by one day – and the registration may be invalid. Candidates must act quickly.

5. The examination is CBT – but essay and practical papers are hybrid (screen questions, booklet answers). This is important. Many candidates assume CBT means typing answers. No. For essay and practical papers, questions appear on screen, but candidates write answers in physical answer booklets. Candidates should practice both: reading on screen and writing on paper.

6. WAEC will hold an online mock examination – free for registered candidates. The mock is for candidates who want to get familiar with the testing environment. It is optional but highly recommended. Many candidates fail CBT exams not because they do not know the material – but because they are not comfortable with the computer interface. The mock solves that problem.

7. Mobile phones and electronic gadgets are banned – even entering the hall with one leads to result cancellation. WAEC is strict: “Any candidate who enters the hall with mobile phones or other electronic gadgets will have all results cancelled.” Not just confiscation. Cancellation. Candidates should leave phones at home. Do not risk years of preparation.

8. Professional uniforms are banned – candidates must come in mufti (civilian clothes). Uniforms of any kind (police, military, paramilitary, school) are not allowed. WAEC wants anonymity and equality. Candidates in uniform will be turned away. Dress simply. No uniforms. No arms. No exceptions.

How this affects candidates.

i. Candidates must budget N27,500 or more – plus transportation, study materials, and accommodation for distant centres. The fee is N27,000 plus N500 commission. But that is not the only cost. Many candidates will travel to CBT centres. Some will need accommodation. All will need study materials. The total cost can exceed N50,000. Plan financially.

ii. Candidates who are not computer literate must start practicing now. The CBT format favours candidates comfortable with computers. Those who have never used a computer or mouse must practice. WAEC offers a mock. Use it. Also use CBT apps (including MySchoolGist CBT app). Practice until you are as comfortable with a computer as with pen and paper.

iii. Candidates with special needs must declare their impairments during registration. WAEC will provide accommodations – but only if candidates declare their needs during registration. Do not wait until exam day. Declare early. Provide documentation. Help WAEC help you.

iv. Candidates must keep their Admission Notice and Result Checker PIN safe. The Admission Notice serves as identification during the examination. Without it, you may not be allowed to write. The Result Checker PIN is needed to check results. Both appear on the same printout. Keep multiple copies.

v. Examination malpractice leads to result cancellation and possible prosecution. WAEC is clear: malpractice will not be tolerated. Results will be cancelled. Candidates may face prosecution. Do not attempt to cheat. The consequences are not worth the risk.

Advice from this analyst.

1. To candidates: register early. Do not wait until the July 31 deadline. Banks and cyber cafes will be crowded. The portal may crash. Registering early gives you peace of mind and time to correct errors.

2. To candidates: take passport photographs professionally. Follow WAEC specifications exactly. A poor photograph invalidates your entry. Do not use phone selfies. Go to a professional photographer.

3. To candidates: practice CBT with past questions. Use the MySchoolGist CBT app or WAEC CBT software. The mock exam is useful. But do not rely on it alone. Practice daily.

4. To candidates: double-check your details before submission. Name spelling. Gender. Date of birth. Subjects. WAEC will not accept amendment requests after submission. One mistake can invalidate your results.

5. To candidates: keep your Admission Notice safe. Do not fold it. Do not lose it. Make multiple photocopies. Take the original and a copy to the exam hall.

6. To parents: support your children financially and emotionally. The N27,000 fee is a burden. Help where you can. Also, encourage your children to practice CBT. Familiarity reduces anxiety.

7. To WAEC: ensure that CBT centres are adequate. Computers should work. Power should be stable. Invigilators should be trained. The mock exam is good. Ensure that the main exam runs just as smoothly.

8. To the Federal Government: consider subsidising WAEC GCE fees for low-income candidates. N27,000 is high for many families. A subsidy would expand access and help more Nigerians obtain qualifications.

Rhetorical question for you.

If WAEC has moved the GCE examination to full CBT mode, and candidates are required to be familiar with computers, answer questions on screen, and write essays in booklets – how many candidates will fail not because they do not know the material, but because they are not comfortable with the computer interface?

The answer is too many. CBT is the future. But the future is not equally accessible. Candidates from rural schools with no computers, candidates who have never touched a mouse, candidates who fear technology – they are at a disadvantage. WAEC should ensure that every candidate has access to practice tools. The mock exam is a start. More is needed: free access to CBT practice centres, phone-based practice apps, and community training programmes. Otherwise, the GCE will test computer literacy as much as subject knowledge – and that is not what WAEC is supposed to measure.

Akahi News reports that WAEC GCE registration for the 2026 second series is open. N27,000 fee. N500 commission. Biometric capture. Passport photos with strict specifications. Two-week deadline after first portal access. CBT format with hybrid essay papers. Online mock examination available. Mobile phones banned. Uniforms banned. Malpractice will cancel results. The exam is a gateway to university and jobs. But the gate has barriers: cost, technology, and strict rules. Candidates must prepare not just in subjects, but in processes. The information is available. The deadlines are fixed. WAEC has done its part. Now candidates must do theirs. Register early. Practice CBT. Follow rules. Walk through the gate – not around it.