WAEC NEWS UPDATES 2025: Only 38.32% Pass English and Mathematics with Five Credits | WAEC Releases Alarming Result Statistics
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has officially released the results of the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates — and the numbers have raised widespread concern across the education sector.
According to the Council, only 38.32% of the over 1.9 million candidates who sat the exam obtained the minimum requirement of five credits, including English Language and Mathematics. This represents a sharp drop from the 72.12% success rate recorded in 2024.
WAEC NEWS UPDATES 2025 Quick Statistics Summary
Here’s a snapshot of the key performance indicators from this year’s results:
| Category | Value / Result |
|---|---|
| Total Candidates Registered | 1,969,313 |
| Number of Schools Participating | 23,554 |
| Candidates With 5 Credits incl. Eng & Math | 754,545 (38.32%) |
| Pass Rate in 2024 | 72.12% |
| Percentage Drop in Performance | 33.8% |
| Results Fully Released | 1,517,517 (77.06%) |
| Results Still Being Processed | 451,796 (22.94%) |
| Results Withheld Due to Malpractice | 192,089 (9.75%) |
| Malpractice Rate in 2024 | 11.92% |
| Male Candidates | 976,787 (49.60%) |
| Female Candidates | 992,526 (50.40%) |
| Female Share of Passed Candidates | 53.99% (407,353) |
| Male Share of Passed Candidates | 46.01% (347,192) |
| Candidates with Special Needs | 12,178 |
| WAEC’s CBT Pilot | Introduced alongside traditional exam format |
Performance Plummets: What Went Wrong?
During a press briefing held on Monday, August 4, 2025, at WAEC’s national headquarters in Yaba, Lagos, the Head of Nigeria National Office, Dr Amos Dangut, provided insight into the causes of this sudden decline.
He noted that the introduction of “serialised objective test papers” in major subjects — English, Mathematics, Biology, and Economics — played a major role. This new format significantly reduced the incidence of collusion and examination malpractice, forcing students to rely solely on their own preparation.
“We observed a dip in performance in objective papers, but essay performance remained steady. It’s a clear signal that candidates must take their preparation seriously,” Dr Dangut emphasized.
Exam and Marking Timeline
- Examination Period: April 24 to June 20, 2025
- Marking and Coordination: July 3 to July 21, 2025
WAEC also confirmed the deployment of a real-time digital scoring system, which helped to speed up result collation and enhanced accuracy.
ALSO READ: How to Check WAEC Result Using Phone (2025 Guide)
Results Withheld Over Exam Malpractice
In another concerning statistic, 192,089 results — accounting for 9.75% of all candidates — have been withheld due to various examination offenses. These include:
- Use of banned mobile phones in exam halls
- Collusion among candidates
- Impersonation and cheating
Although this represents a slight improvement from the 11.92% recorded in 2024, Dr Dangut stressed that exam malpractice remains a serious challenge.
“These unscrupulous elements are a thorn in the Council’s flesh,” he said. “We’ve apprehended some culprits and they will face sanctions.”
Special Needs Candidates Receive Support
Out of the total registered candidates, 12,178 were students with special needs. WAEC confirmed that all were adequately supported. The breakdown includes:
- 112 visually impaired
- 615 hearing impaired
- 52 mentally challenged
- 37 physically disabled
This move reinforces WAEC’s commitment to inclusive education.
Gender Breakdown: Girls Outperform Boys
Interestingly, despite the overall low performance, female candidates outshone their male counterparts.
Out of the 754,545 who passed with at least five credits including English and Mathematics:
- Females: 407,353 (53.99%)
- Males: 347,192 (46.01%)
This trend highlights the growing academic strength and consistency of female students in West Africa.
CBT Format Introduced for the First Time
In what could become a game-changing move, WAEC piloted a Computer-Based Testing (CBT) option during the 2025 examination.
Students were given the choice between the traditional paper-based method and the digital CBT format, marking WAEC’s first step toward full digitisation by 2026.
“This year’s exam places us as a leading examining body in Africa to have tested students through a computer-based format,” said Dr Dangut.
Results Still Being Processed
While 77.06% of results have been released, 451,796 candidates (22.94%) are still waiting due to technical issues.
WAEC assured candidates that all pending results will be processed and uploaded in the coming days.
States Owing WAEC to Face Consequences
WAEC also warned that states owing the Council will be unable to access the results of their sponsored candidates. Dr Dangut noted that full access will only be granted once outstanding debts are cleared.
This affects public school students in certain states that rely on government sponsorship for exam fees.
How to Check Your WASSCE 2025 Result
WAEC advised all candidates to check their results online using the official portal:
- Visit: https://www.waecdirect.org
- Enter your:
- Examination number
- Examination year (2025)
- Card PIN and Serial number
- Click “Submit” to view your result
WAEC also posted the release notice via their official X (Twitter) handle.
Conclusion
The WASSCE 2025 results are a wake-up call for students, parents, teachers, and education policymakers. The steep decline in success rates shows that new anti-cheating measures are working, but also that more effort is needed in preparation and teaching.
At Mylegitschool, we urge all students to take their studies seriously, especially now that exams are becoming more secure and competitive.
If you are one of the 754,545 who passed congratulations! If your result is still pending, be patient and keep checking the portal. If your result was withheld, follow the updates from WAEC.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why did WAEC performance drop in 2025?
Answer: WAEC introduced serialised objective test papers to reduce malpractice, which exposed underprepared candidates and lowered pass rates.
How many students passed with five credits including English and Maths?
Answer: 754,545 candidates, representing 38.32% of the total.
Did WAEC introduce CBT for WASSCE 2025?
Yes, candidates could choose between traditional exams and a computer-based format, as part of WAEC’s digital transformation.
How can I check my WAEC result?
Visit https://www.waecdirect.org, enter your exam number, year, PIN, and click “Submit.”
Are some results still being processed?
Yes. Over 451,000 results are pending due to technical reasons and will be updated soon.
Are female students still performing better than males?
Yes. In 2025, female candidates made up 53.99% of those who passed with five credits including English and Maths.
Got questions or thoughts about the WASSCE 2025 results? Drop them in the comments below.