The performance of candidates in English Language has fallen to its lowest level in four years in the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), according to provisional results released by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).
The results show that 315,094 candidates, representing 62.40 per cent of those who sat for the examination, obtained grades between A1 and C6 in English Language.
This marks a notable decline from the 69.00 per cent recorded in 2025 and continues a downward trend observed since 2023.
WAEC’s four-year performance statistics indicate that the proportion of candidates obtaining A1 to C6 in English Language fell from 73.11 per cent in 2023 to 69.52 per cent in 2024, before dropping further to 69.00 per cent in 2025 and 62.40 per cent in 2026.
The 2026 figure represents a decline of 6.60 percentage points compared with last year’s performance.
55,940 candidates obtain F9 in English
The latest results also show that 55,940 candidates, representing 11.08 per cent, obtained an F9 in English Language.
A further 49,771 candidates, or 9.86 per cent, received D7, while 37,080 candidates, representing 7.34 per cent, obtained E8.
The figures highlight the challenges recorded in the subject despite English Language remaining one of the four core subjects examined at the WASSCE.
Mathematics and Science performance
While English Language recorded a decline, performance in some of the other core subjects improved compared with 2025.
For Core Mathematics, 306,234 candidates, representing 60.75 per cent, obtained grades A1 to C6. This was an improvement from 48.73 per cent in 2025.
Integrated Science also recorded an increase, with 309,605 candidates, or 62.08 per cent, obtaining grades A1 to C6, compared with 57.74 per cent in 2025.
Social Studies recorded the strongest performance among the four core subjects, with 393,918 candidates, representing 78.04 per cent, achieving grades A1 to C6.
Over 512,000 candidates entered examination
A total of 512,862 candidates from 1,022 schools were entered for the 2026 WASSCE.
The candidates comprised 225,270 males and 287,592 females, representing an 11.07 per cent increase over the 461,736 candidates who entered the examination in 2025.
WAEC said 5,049 candidates, representing 0.98 per cent of the total number of candidates, were absent from the examination.
The Council has hosted the provisional results online and will provide login details to heads of schools to enable them to access the results of their candidates.
Candidates may also check their individual results through the WAEC Ghana website.
WAEC cancels results over examination irregularities
Meanwhile, WAEC has cancelled the subject results of 7,434 candidates following investigations into examination irregularities.
The affected candidates were found to have brought foreign materials, including prepared notes, textbooks and printed materials, into examination halls.
The entire results of another 861 candidates were cancelled for possessing mobile phones in examination halls.
WAEC also withheld the subject results of 957 candidates and the entire results of 270 candidates over various suspected offences.
In addition, some subject results involving candidates from 169 schools remain withheld over alleged collusion.
The Council said investigations into those cases are ongoing and the affected results could either be released or cancelled depending on the outcome. A decision is expected by October 30, 2026.
WAEC warns against result upgrade scams
WAEC has meanwhile cautioned candidates and the public against fraudsters who claim they can upgrade or alter examination results for money.
The Council said its results are secured and can be authenticated through its results verification system.
Candidates can also use the WAEC QR code to verify the authenticity of their results.
WAEC urged candidates and other stakeholders to disregard individuals who promise to change examination results for a fee.
