What Is The Difference Between WAEC and WASSCE ?

This question has often steamed up as a debate topic among prospective candidates.

Is there really a difference between WAEC and WASSCE?


Innovative Future answers

WAEC (West African Examination Council) is the organization/body responsible for conducting the annual WASSCE (West African Senior School Certificate Examinations) across . A successful candidate is then awarded the West African Senior School Certificate.

WAEC was established in 1952 and covers six anglophone West African countries. (Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, Gambia and Liberia)

How Is The WASSCE Conducted?

WASSCE is basically of two types -

WASSCE for Private Candidates

This is the test for candidates who do not belong to any school.
For 2018, the timetable for WASSCE for private candidates has been released and the First series of exam will take place from 29th January 2018 to February 12 2018.

The Second series (Also called GCE) will take place between August/September 2018.

WASSCE for Public Candidates 

Also called SSCE is the test made for all private and public senior school candidates in West Africa. This takes place between March-June but it's generally referred to as May/June WASSCE. Results are usually released in August.


It is pertinent to note that results gotten from either side can be used to secure tertiary admission in any part of the Six Anglophone West African countries. Both results (WASSCE for Private Candidates & WASSCE for Public Candidates) can also be combined to secure admission.

WAEC is the examining body not an examination. Yes, you can use either the result of the WASSCE for School Candidates or that of the Private Candidates. You can also combine both. https://t.co/GYdBYOKkEJ

— WAEC NIGERIA (@waecnigeria) January 9, 2018

This explains why candidates who have taken part in the earlier exams are allowed to register for the second series (GCE).

What is the difference between WAEC and WASSCE?

Now you can answer that.

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