The West African Examinations Council has released registration details for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination second series for private candidates, with the exercise expected to provide another opportunity for individuals seeking academic advancement or qualification improvement.
The examination body disclosed that registration for the exercise commenced on May 4, 2026, and will run until July 31, 2026, giving candidates close to three months to complete the process.
WAEC stated that the examination would be conducted fully through the Computer-Based Examination format, marking a continuation of the council’s transition towards digital testing methods for private candidates.
The council explained that candidates are expected to prepare adequately for the computer-based format by becoming familiar with digital examination systems before the commencement of the tests.
According to the information released, the registration fee for the examination has been fixed at N37,000.
Candidates seeking to participate in the examination are required to complete their registration through the official WAEC portal.
The registration platform provided by the examination body is WAEC Nigeria.
WAEC also advised intending candidates to visit the nearest council office in their area to identify approved examination towns before finalising their registration.
The council noted that confirming available centres early would help candidates avoid confusion or difficulties during the examination period.
The examination body further encouraged applicants to complete their registration ahead of the deadline in order to avoid the rush commonly associated with late registration periods.
WAEC cautioned candidates to verify all payment procedures, registration requirements and official charges directly from its website or approved registration centres before making payments.
The council added that candidates should rely only on authorised channels to avoid falling victim to fraudulent registration schemes or misinformation surrounding the examination process.
The private candidates examination, commonly referred to as the General Certificate Examination, is designed for individuals who are not part of the regular school-based WASSCE system but still wish to obtain the qualification.
Education stakeholders have repeatedly stressed the importance of early preparation for computer-based examinations, especially for candidates who may not be fully accustomed to digital testing systems.
Observers also note that the adoption of computer-based examinations reflects a broader effort within Nigeria’s education sector to modernise assessment methods and improve examination administration.
With the registration window already open, candidates are expected to complete all necessary procedures before the July 31 closing date to secure participation in the 2026 second series examination exercise.
