The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released the final timetable for the 2026 May/June West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates. The papers run from Tuesday, 7 April 2026 to Friday, 19 June 2026, with practical and oral sessions starting earlier in the window.
This page covers the schedule for Nigerian candidates, the key subject dates, public holidays that affect the exam week, and what private (GCE) candidates should expect for the second series later in 2026.
WASSCE 2026 key dates at a glance
- Practical and oral sessions: Monday, 27 April 2026 – Friday, 8 May 2026
- Written papers begin: Tuesday, 7 April 2026 (early planning sessions)
- English Language: Wednesday, 10 June 2026
- General Mathematics: Wednesday, 3 June 2026
- Further Mathematics: Thursday, 21 May 2026
- Last paper: Friday, 19 June 2026
Download the official 2026 WAEC timetable PDF (Nigeria) from the WAEC Nigeria portal.
Public holidays during the 2026 WASSCE
Three public holidays fall inside the exam window. WAEC has worked them into the timetable, so check your subject date carefully if it sits next to one of these:
- Friday, 1 May 2026 — Workers’ Day
- Tuesday 26 – Thursday 28 May 2026 — Eid al-Adha period
- Friday, 12 June 2026 — Democracy Day
Core subject schedule (school candidates, Nigeria)
Below are the most-asked-about subjects. Times follow the official WAEC Nigeria PDF. If the time on your question paper differs from the time here, follow the question paper.
English Language — Wednesday, 10 June 2026
- Paper 2 (Essay): 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (2 hrs)
- Paper 1 (Objective): 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (1 hr)
- Paper 3 (Test of Orals): 2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. (45 mins)
General Mathematics — Wednesday, 3 June 2026
- Paper 2 (Essay): 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon (2 hrs 30 mins)
- Paper 1 (Objective): 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. (1 hr 30 mins)
Further Mathematics — Thursday, 21 May 2026
- Paper 2 (Essay): 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon (2 hrs 30 mins)
- Paper 1 (Objective): 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. (1 hr 30 mins)
Biology, Chemistry and Physics
Each science has a written essay, an objective paper and a practical (Alternative A or B). Practical sessions are split into morning and afternoon batches because of candidate numbers. Confirm your batch letter on your timetable from your school exam officer.
Economics, Government, Literature, Christian Religious Studies and Islamic Studies
These social-science and humanities papers fall across May and the first half of June. Most run two papers on the same day — Objective in the morning, Essay in the afternoon, or vice versa.
Trade and vocational subjects
The 34 trade subjects (Auto Mechanics, Catering Craft Practice, Garment Making, Computer Studies, etc.) run their practical projects between April and early May, with theory papers later in May.
How to read your WAEC timetable
- Check the country. Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia and The Gambia each have their own PDF. A subject date in Ghana may not match Nigeria.
- Match the paper number. Paper 1 is usually objective. Paper 2 is essay or theory. Paper 3 is oral or practical. Each has its own time slot.
- Note the duration twice. Once from the timetable, once from the front of the question paper. If they disagree, the question paper wins.
- Plan around batch letters. For science practicals, you sit either the morning batch or the afternoon batch — never both.
- Add 30 minutes for setup. Arrive at your hall at least half an hour before the listed start time.
What to bring to the exam hall
- Your WAEC photo card / candidate identification
- Two HB pencils, an eraser and a sharpener
- A black or blue biro for essay papers
- A non-programmable scientific calculator (Mathematics, Further Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Geography, Economics)
- A four-figure table or the official WAEC mathematical table booklet, where allowed
- A transparent water bottle (no labels)
- Mathematical set: ruler, protractor, pair of compasses, set squares
Phones, smart watches, headphones, and pre-written notes are banned. WAEC treats them as exam misconduct and can cancel your full result.
Rules WAEC enforces in 2026
- No malpractice tolerance. Candidates caught with leaked papers, copied scripts or impersonators face cancelled results and possible bans.
- One and a half times duration for blind, deaf and physically challenged candidates, on every paper.
- No phones, period. Even a switched-off phone in your bag inside the hall can flag your script.
- Sit in your assigned seat. Seat numbers are tied to your photo card and answer booklet. Do not switch.
- Stay until dismissal. You cannot leave before the supervisor collects all scripts.
WAEC GCE 2026 (private candidates)
Private (GCE) candidates write under a separate timetable from school candidates. WAEC runs two GCE series each year:
- First Series (computer-based): Held 28 January – 14 February 2026. Already complete.
- Second Series: Expected October–December 2026. WAEC usually publishes the timetable in August or September.
Check the WAEC International timetable page for the second-series PDF when registration opens.
Study plan: the last 8 weeks before WASSCE 2026
- Weeks 8–6: Cover the syllabus topic by topic. One subject a day, two-hour blocks.
- Weeks 5–4: Switch to past questions. WAEC reuses question patterns. Time yourself with a stopwatch.
- Weeks 3–2: Mock exams under hall conditions. No phone, no music, full duration.
- Final week: Review only. No new topics. Sleep at least 7 hours each night.
- Night before each paper: Pack your bag, set two alarms, eat light, sleep early.
Where to download the official timetable
Related WAEC guides on Awajis
- WAEC Exam Guide: Timetable, Schemes and Syllabus
- WAEC Result: Full Meaning of Held, Withheld and Outstanding
- How to Verify WAEC Results for WES
Frequently asked questions about WAEC 2026
When does WAEC 2026 start and end?
The 2026 WASSCE for school candidates runs from Tuesday, 7 April 2026 to Friday, 19 June 2026. Practical and oral sessions sit inside the 27 April – 8 May window.
What date is WAEC English Language 2026?
English Language papers (Objective, Essay and Test of Orals) hold on Wednesday, 10 June 2026.
What date is WAEC Mathematics 2026?
General Mathematics holds on Wednesday, 3 June 2026 — Paper 2 (Essay) at 9:30 a.m., Paper 1 (Objective) at 3:00 p.m.
Has WAEC released the 2026 timetable officially?
Yes. WAEC released the final 2026 WASSCE timetable for school candidates in March 2026. You can download the country-specific PDFs from waecnigeria.org and waecinternational.org.
Is the WAEC 2026 exam computer-based?
The May/June WASSCE for school candidates remains paper-based for most subjects, with computer-based delivery for the GCE First Series and selected pilot centres. WAEC plans a phased shift to CB-WASSCE over the coming cycles.
What time should I arrive for each paper?
Arrive at least 30 minutes before the listed start time. Latecomers may not be admitted once the supervisor reads the rubric.
Can I use a calculator in WAEC 2026?
Yes — non-programmable scientific calculators are allowed for Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Geography, Economics, Accounting and similar papers. Programmable calculators and phones are banned.
What happens if a paper falls on a public holiday?
It does not. WAEC works the May Day, Eid al-Adha and Democracy Day holidays into the timetable so no paper sits on those dates.
When will the WAEC GCE second series 2026 timetable come out?
The second-series GCE timetable usually drops in August or September 2026, with exams in October–December. Check the WAEC International timetable page for updates.
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