In Ghana and Nigeria, the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) is the principal examination used to qualify students for admission to secondary and vocational schools. After three years of Junior High School, it is written. It is run by the Ghana Education Service (GES), which is part of the Ministry of Education.

Introduction

This examination is used for both certification and admission to Ghana’s Senior High Schools and Technical Institutes. The examination results are based on Continuous Assessment and an external examination. The Continuous Assessment accounts for 30% of the total assessment, while the external examination accounts for 70%.

Eligibility

Candidates in the third year of Junior High Schools approved by the Ghana Education Service are eligible to register to take part in this examination.

Date of Examination

The examination is conducted nationwide in June each year, however, the schedules vary slightly.

Entry for the Examination

Registration for the examination is done electronically in October/November each year. Statement of Entries, CDs together with the registration fees should reach the appropriate Office of the Council by specified dates that will be determined by the Council from year to year.

Subjects for the Examination

Examinations questions are set for a total of nine (9) subjects each year. The following are the subjects available to candidates:

  • English Language
  • Ghanaian Language and Culture
  • Social Studies
  • Integrated Science
  • Mathematics
  • Basic Design and Technology
  • Religious & Moral Education
  • Information and Communications Technology
  • French (optional)

Grading and Selection Criteria

Candidates are graded based on their performance in the external examination (objective and written) and Continuous (Internal) Assessment marks provided by the schools. Candidates are selected for Senior High Schools by the Computerized School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS).

Grading of Candidates

A nine-point numerical scale is used in grading the candidates with Grade 1 denoting the highest performance and Grade 9 the lowest.

BECE Grading Scale
BECE Grading Scale

Selection of Candidates to Senior High School

Students are guided to select schools based on their choices. Candidates are selected to Senior High Schools by the Computerized School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS). Not all students get selected due to a number of reasons. Visit the link for a detailed article on why BECE students are not selected during the Computerized School Selection and Placement System. Such students are given the chance to do a Self-Placement.

Release of Results

The results of the examination are released in August to enable successful and qualified candidates to enter Senior High Schools and Technical Institutes at the beginning of the academic year. The results lists are sent to the participating schools, whilst each candidate receives a statement of results through his/her school. Candidates can also check their results online with an access card at www.checkercards.com.

Review of Scripts

Scripts are kept for three months after the release of results before they are finally destroyed. During this time, review of scripts for a fee is allowed and this is done at the instance of the Head of school or an accredited representative of the school since the Basic Education Certificate Examination is a school-based examination. The Council by policy does not undertake a review of scripts at the instance of candidates, parents, guardians, or persons claiming to act “in loco parentis”

Certificates

Certificates are sent to the schools for collection by individual candidates. Certificates are produced once, and so certificates that get lost or damaged after collection are not replaced.

Confirmation and Attestation

Confirmation of Results

Candidates who lose their certificates may confirm their results to prospective employers and educational institutions.

Attestation of Results

Candidates who lose their certificates may also request attestation of their results.

Further information/Enquires

All questions concerning the Basic Education Certificate Examination should be sent to the National Examinations Administration Department’s Deputy Registrar/Controller at the following phone numbers:

(233) 302-208201-9 or info@waecgh .org

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