WASSCE 2026 results: English declines for 4th straight year, Social Studies bounces back
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released provisional results for the 2026 WASSCE for School Candidates.
According to the September 4, 2026 statement signed by John K. Kapi, Head of Public Affairs, a total of 512,862 candidates from 1,022 schools entered. This is made up of 225,270 males and 287,592 females, showing more girls wrote than boys. The figure is 11.07% higher than the 2025 entry of 461,736. A total of 5,049 candidates, representing 0.98%, were absent.
WAEC says heads of schools have been given login details, and candidates can check their results at www.waecgh.org. The Council cautioned against fraudsters who promise to upgrade results.
2026 CORE SUBJECTS PERFORMANCE:
Social Studies was the best-performing subject in 2026 with 78.04% of candidates obtaining A1 to C6. Only 7.81% had F9, the lowest failure.
English Language followed, with 62.40% obtaining A1 to C6, while 11.08% got F9.
Integrated Science had 62.08% passing with A1 to C6, but it recorded the highest failure rate of 15.27%.
Core Mathematics recorded the lowest pass rate. Only 60.75% obtained A1 to C6, while 14.82% got F9.
FOUR-YEAR TREND: ENGLISH ON STEADY FALL:
WAEC observed that while Maths, Science and Social Studies varied over the four years, English Language has recorded a progressive decline.
English Language dropped from 73.11% in 2023 to 69.52% in 2024, then to 69.00% in 2025 and now to 62.40% in 2026.
Core Mathematics moved from 62.23% in 2023 to 66.86% in 2024, dropped sharply to 48.73% in 2025, and has now recovered to 60.75% in 2026.
Integrated Science was 66.82% in 2023, fell to 58.77% in 2024 and 57.74% in 2025, before rising to 62.08% in 2026.
Social Studies was 76.76% in 2023, 71.53% in 2024, fell to 55.82% in 2025, and made a major jump to 78.04% in 2026, the highest in the four years.
MALPRACTICE: OVER 9,500 RESULTS AFFECTED:
The 42nd Meeting of the Ghana Examinations Committee held on August 7, 2026, approved that 7,434 candidates should have their subject results cancelled for bringing foreign materials like notes and textbooks into the exam hall.
861 candidates had their entire results cancelled for possessing mobile phones in the hall.
957 candidates have had their subject results withheld, and 270 have had their entire results withheld for various suspected offences.
In addition, results of candidates from 169 schools have been withheld for alleged collusion. The cases are under investigation and will be released or cancelled by October 30, 2026.
Affected candidates are to visit irreg.waecgh.org and click on withheld/cancelled.
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