WASSCE 2025 Pass Rate Rises to 62.96% After WAEC Corrects Technical Error in Grading

Attend Akahi Tutors, Ile-ife. 08038644328

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has revised the 2025 West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results, revealing a significant improvement in the overall performance of candidates after correcting a major grading error.

In its initial announcement of the results last week, the examination body had reported a sharp decline in performance compared to 2024. Out of 1,969,313 candidates from 23,554 schools, only 754,545 candidates — representing 38.32 per cent — were said to have obtained at least five credits, including in core subjects such as English Language and Mathematics.

The initial report triggered widespread public outrage, with many stakeholders expressing deep concern over what was perceived as one of the worst mass failures in recent years. However, WAEC later disclosed that it had identified a serious technical fault that compromised the accuracy of the grading process.

According to the council, the problem stemmed from the marking of “serialised papers” — a relatively new feature in the examination process. A serialised code file, it said, was wrongly used during the printing of the English Language Objective Tests (Paper 3), resulting in the use of incorrect answer keys to score scripts.

WAEC clarified that schools which conducted the WASSCE using the computer-based mode were not affected by the error.

“The observable decline in the performance of candidates earlier announced was partly traceable to this absurd situation,” the council stated. “The council sincerely apologises for this imbroglio and deeply regrets the emotional and mental dismay it might have caused the affected candidates and all stakeholders.”

Following a thorough review and regrading, WAEC now reports that 1,239,884 candidates — representing 62.96 per cent — attained credits and above in at least five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.

The development has brought relief to many students, parents, and school authorities who had been alarmed by the initial figures. It also raises questions about the robustness of WAEC’s examination processes and the need for stronger safeguards to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Education analysts say the incident underscores the importance of technological accuracy in the administration of large-scale examinations, especially at a time when examination bodies are increasingly adopting digital innovations.

The revised results are now accessible to schools and candidates, with WAEC urging all affected stakeholders to check the updated performance records.

Attend Akahi Tutors, Ile-ife. 08038644328