WAEC Releases 2026 WASSCE Results for 512,862 Candidates
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released the provisional results of the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for School Candidates, bringing an end to weeks of anticipation among candidates, parents, schools and tertiary institutions across Ghana.
The results were released on Friday, September 4, 2026, according to WAEC. A total of 512,862 candidates from 1,022 schools were registered for the examination, comprising 225,270 males and 287,592 females.
The 2026 candidate population represents an 11.07 per cent increase over the 461,736 candidates who entered the examination in 2025. WAEC also recorded 5,049 absentees, representing 0.98 per cent of the total number of registered candidates.
Social Studies leads core subjects
The 2026 results show significant variations in performance across the four core subjects.
Social Studies recorded the strongest performance, with 393,918 candidates, representing 78.04 per cent, obtaining grades between A1 and C6.
English Language followed with 315,094 candidates (62.40 per cent) obtaining A1-C6. Core Mathematics recorded 306,234 candidates (60.75 per cent), while 309,605 candidates (62.08 per cent) obtained A1-C6 in Integrated Science.
The results therefore place the four core subjects in the following order based on the proportion of candidates obtaining A1-C6:
Social Studies – 78.04% English Language – 62.40% Integrated Science – 62.08% Core Mathematics – 60.75% Mathematics and Science performance improves
The 2026 results show a notable recovery in some subjects compared with the previous year.
Core Mathematics improved from 48.73 per cent in 2025 to 60.75 per cent in 2026, while Integrated Science increased from 57.74 per cent to 62.08 per cent.
Social Studies recorded the most significant improvement, rising from 55.82 per cent in 2025 to 78.04 per cent in 2026.
English Language, however, recorded a continued decline. The proportion of candidates obtaining A1-C6 fell from 73.11 per cent in 2023 to 69.42 per cent in 2024, 69.00 per cent in 2025 and 62.40 per cent in 2026.
WAEC's four-year analysis consequently identifies English Language as the core subject with the clearest sustained decline, while performance in Mathematics, Integrated Science and Social Studies has fluctuated over the period.
Thousands of results cancelled over examination irregularities
Alongside the release of the results, WAEC announced sanctions against candidates involved in examination irregularities.
The Council cancelled the subject results of 7,434 candidates after investigations established that they had brought foreign materials, including prepared notes, textbooks and printed materials, into examination halls.
The entire results of 861 candidates were also cancelled after the candidates were found to have possessed mobile phones in examination halls.
In addition, WAEC withheld the subject results of 957 candidates and the entire results of another 270 candidates over various suspected offences.
Results involving candidates from 169 schools were also withheld over suspected collusion. WAEC said investigations into those cases were continuing and that the affected results could either be released or cancelled depending on the outcome of the investigations. The Council expects the investigations to be completed by October 30, 2026.
WAEC has directed candidates whose results have been cancelled or withheld to use the Council's irregularity and investigations platform to obtain information about the reasons for the decision and the next steps.
Candidates can check results online
WAEC has hosted the results online, with login details provided to heads of participating schools to enable them access the results of their candidates.
Candidates can also check their individual results through the official WAEC Ghana results-checking portal using their examination details and result-checker credentials.
The Council has also cautioned candidates and other stakeholders against individuals who claim they can alter or upgrade examination results in exchange for money.
What the 2026 results show
The 2026 WASSCE results present a mixed picture of academic performance.
While Social Studies recorded a strong rebound and Mathematics and Integrated Science improved compared with 2025, English Language continued its downward trend.
The results also highlight the continuing challenge of examination malpractice, with thousands of subject and entire results cancelled and additional cases still under investigation.
For the more than 512,000 candidates who took part in the examination, the release marks an important transition point as they proceed with tertiary education applications, vocational training and other post-secondary opportunities.
WAEC's release of the provisional results now places the focus on candidates' individual outcomes, tertiary admissions and the ongoing resolution of cases involving withheld results.