The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) provisional results for the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates have revealed a troubling decline in performance compared to previous years.
In Core Mathematics, only 48.73% achieved grades A1 to C6. The distribution further shows that 11.62% scored D7, 12.15% obtained E8, and 26.77% had F9.
This marks a decline from the 66.86% pass rate recorded in 2024, 62.23% in 2023, and 61.39% in 2022, and represents the poorest performance in the four-year data provided by WAEC.
In English Language, 69% of candidates secured grades between A1 and C6, slightly lower than the previous year’s 69.52%.
The distribution also shows that 8.18% scored D7, 9.23% obtained E8, while 12.86% failed with F9.
Integrated Science also witnessed a marginal decline, with 57.74% scoring within the A1 to C6 range, compared to 58.77% in 2024. The distribution is as follows: 11.85% scored D7, 11.97% obtained E8, and 16.05% had F9.
Social Studies recorded a significant dip, with 55.82% attaining A1 to C6, down sharply from 71.53% the previous year. The subject registered one of the highest failure rates, with 7.38% scoring D7, 9.12% obtaining E8, and 27.50% of candidates failing with F9.
According to a statement signed by the Head of Public Affairs, WAEC, John K. Kapi, while the entry of candidates saw a marginal increase of 0.24% over the 2024 entry figure of 460,611, the total registered candidates, 5,821—representing 1.26%—were absent.
A total of 461,736 candidates—comprising 207,415 males and 254,321 females from 1,021 schools—registered for the 2025 examination.
Mr. Kapi further stated that WAEC reported several cases of examination malpractice that resulted in severe sanctions.
Following investigations, the Ghana Examinations Committee at its 40th meeting on November 17, 2025, approved the cancellation of subject results for 6,295 candidates found to have brought prohibited materials—including prepared notes and textbooks-into the examination halls.
The statement further indicated that the entire results of 653 candidates were cancelled for possessing mobile phones during the examination.
Also, WAEC is withholding the subject results of 908 candidates and the entire results of 158 others pending further investigation into suspected irregularities. The Council added that the subject results of candidates from 185 schools had been withheld over allegations of collusion.
The Council also revealed that 35 individuals, including 19 teachers, were involved in activities that compromised the exam’s integrity. 19 have been prosecuted and convicted, receiving fines or prison sentences, while the remaining 16 are yet to appear in court.
WAEC stated that, in addition to legal proceedings, the names of the implicated teachers will be sent to the Ghana Education Service Director-General for further disciplinary action.
By Prince Fiifi Yorke