WAEC explains reason behind sub-standard WASSCE results

John Kapi, Head of Public Relations at the West African Examinations Council, says the sharp drop in Core Mathematics performance in the 2025 WASSCE stems from clear skill gaps identified among candidates.

WAEC’s provisional results show that more than half of the 461,736 candidates who sat for the examination, 220,008 students, failed Core Mathematics, the lowest performance recorded in seven years.

Only 48.73% secured grades A1 to C6, representing a fall of nearly 18 percentage points from the 66.86% recorded in 2024.

A total of 209,068 candidates passed, while 114,872, representing 26.77%, obtained an F9 grade. The examination involved 1,021 schools, a slight increase over 2024, with 5,821 candidates absent.

Kapi explained that chief examiners identified seven recurring weaknesses among candidates.

These include difficulty representing mathematical information diagrammatically, challenges solving global math-related problems, and weak skills in constructing cumulative frequency tables.

Candidates also struggled to make deductions from real-life scenarios, apply simple interest concepts, convert word problems into mathematical expressions, and interpret results from cumulative frequency data.

He clarified that these weaknesses do not arise from gaps in the syllabus or WAEC’s test blueprint. Instead, the findings point to limited student competence in applying mathematical concepts to practical problem-solving.

According to WAEC, the pattern of performance reinforces the need for stronger emphasis on real-life applications of Mathematics in classroom instruction.

The analysis also suggests that improved teaching approaches, particularly in data handling, interpretation, and contextual reasoning, will be essential to reverse the decline.

The examination body maintains that the trends reflect skill-based deficiencies rather than any changes in curriculum standards, and urges schools to intensify preparation efforts in the areas highlighted.

The West African Examinations Council released provisional results for the 2025 WASSCE on Saturday evening while cancelling the results of thousands of candidates for examination malpractice.

According to a statement signed by John Kapi, Head of Public Affairs at WAEC’s National Office, the subject results of 6,295 candidates were cancelled for bringing unauthorized materials such as prepared notes, textbooks, and printed sheets into examination halls.

WAEC further disclosed that the subject results of 908 candidates and the full results of 158 others have been withheld for various suspected offences.

Additionally, subject results from 185 schools have been held over alleged collusion cases currently under investigation.

The council said efforts are underway to conclude all pending inquiries before the end of December 2025, adding that the release of any withheld results will depend on evidence gathered.