WASSCE 2026 Registration Closes January 17: Final Deadline for School Students

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has set Saturday, January 17, 2026 as the final deadline for school candidates' registration for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). School principals must ensure all final-year students are registered before this date.

Critical Deadline

• Registration Closes: Saturday, January 17, 2026
• Who Must Register: All final-year secondary school students (SS3)
• Registration Type: School-based registration (not private candidates)
• Extension: No extensions anticipated after deadline

Registration Timeline

• Registration Opened: September 22, 2025
• Registration Closes: January 17, 2026
• Duration: Approximately 4 months registration window

Who Is Responsible for Registration

For School Principals

School principals are responsible for:

• Registering all eligible final-year students
• Completing registration before January 17 deadline
• Ensuring accurate student data submission
• Collecting registration fees from students
• Submitting batch registration to WAEC

For Students

SS3 students should:

• Confirm with your school that you've been registered
• Provide accurate personal information to your school
• Pay registration fees as required by your school
• Collect registration slip/confirmation from school

What Happens If Your School Misses the Deadline

If your school fails to register you before January 17:

• You cannot write the WASSCE as a school candidate
• You may need to register as a private candidate (GCE) instead
• Private candidate registration has different fees and procedures
• You could miss the main WASSCE sitting entirely

How to Confirm You're Registered

Check with Your School

1. Ask your principal or exam officer if your registration is complete
2. Request your WAEC registration number
3. Get a copy of your registration confirmation slip
4. Verify your subjects are correctly listed

What Your Registration Should Include

• Your full name (as it appears on official documents)
• Correct date of birth
• All subjects you're writing (usually 8-9 subjects)
• Your school's center code
• Your unique candidate number

WAEC Contact Information for Schools

Official WAEC Channels

Schools requiring assistance with registration should contact WAEC via:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website 1: www.wasedich.org
• Website 2: www.wasedirect.org
• Website 3: www.wasedich.org.vg

For School Administrators

If You Haven't Completed Registration

1. Act immediately: January 17 is just days away
2. Access registration portal: Log in to WAEC school registration system
3. Compile student data: Gather all final-year student information
4. Verify subject entries: Ensure subjects match student capabilities
5. Submit before deadline: Complete registration by January 17
6. Print confirmations: Keep records of all registered students

Required Student Information

Schools need to provide for each student:

• Full legal name (matching ID documents)
• Date of birth (from birth certificate)
• Gender
• State of origin
• Passport photograph (digital format)
• Subject combination (8-9 subjects typically)
• Special needs if applicable

WASSCE vs GCE: Understanding the Difference

WASSCE (School Candidates)

• Registration: Through your school only
• Deadline: January 17, 2026
• Exam Period: Usually April-May (school calendar-based)
• Format: Traditional paper-based examination
• Subjects: 8-9 subjects as per school curriculum

GCE (Private Candidates)

• Registration: Individual registration
• Deadline: Different deadline (usually January 30 for 1st series)
• Exam Period: Multiple series throughout the year
• Format: Computer-Based Testing (CBT)
• Subjects: Flexible subject selection

What Students Should Do

Immediate Actions

1. Confirm registration status: Ask your school if you're registered
2. Verify details: Check that your name and subjects are correct
3. Pay fees if required: Some schools collect WAEC fees from students
4. Get registration number: Obtain your WAEC candidate number from school

If Your School Hasn't Registered You

• Alert your principal immediately
• Ensure your name is on the school's registration list
• Pay any outstanding registration fees to your school
• Follow up daily until confirmation

For Schools: Common Registration Issues

Technical Problems

• Portal access issues: Contact WAEC technical support at [email protected]
• Payment problems: Verify payment methods and bank details
• Data upload errors: Check student information format and completeness
• Network issues: Try different browsers or internet connections

Administrative Challenges

• Incomplete student records: Collect missing information immediately
• Fee collection delays: Expedite payment collection from students
• Large student numbers: Allocate sufficient time for batch registration

Why This Deadline Matters

For Students

Missing this deadline means:

• You cannot write WASSCE as a school candidate in May/June 2026
• You'd need to register for GCE (private candidate exam) instead
• GCE registration has different costs and procedures
• You might delay your university admission by a year

For Schools

• Unregistered students cannot participate in WASSCE
• School's examination credibility may be affected
• Students and parents may hold school responsible
• No recourse after deadline passes

WAEC Official Resources

Visit WAEC official websites for:

• Registration guidelines: Step-by-step school registration procedures
• Fee schedules: Current WASSCE registration costs
• Subject combinations: Allowed subject pairings
• Technical support: Help with portal issues
• Exam timetable: When WASSCE 2026 will be conducted

After Registration

What Schools Should Do

1. Print and keep all registration confirmations
2. Provide students with their candidate numbers
3. Monitor WAEC for exam timetable release
4. Prepare students for examinations
5. Ensure students understand exam rules and procedures

What Students Should Do

1. Keep your candidate number safe
2. Begin serious exam preparation
3. Obtain past questions for practice
4. Attend all revision classes
5. Monitor school notice boards for exam updates

Important Reminders

• Deadline: Saturday, January 17, 2026 (9 days from now)
• No extensions: Final deadline with no anticipated grace period
• School responsibility: Principals must register all SS3 students
• Student action: Confirm your registration status with your school NOW
• WAEC contact: [email protected] for assistance

Verify Your Registration Now

Don't assume your school has registered you. Confirm today by asking your principal or exam officer for:

• Your WAEC candidate number
• List of subjects you're registered for
• Registration confirmation slip

If you discover you're not registered, alert school authorities immediately. With only 9 days until deadline, every day counts.