WAEC Announces BECE 2025 Grading System: Emphasis on Continuous Assessment and Examination Performance

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has officially released the grading system to be implemented for the 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). The system employs a nine-point scale, ranging from Grade 1, the highest attainable grade, to Grade 9, the lowest. A candidate’s final BECE score will be determined by a composite evaluation, assigning 30% weight to continuous assessment conducted throughout the student’s schooling (as determined by the school) and 70% to the performance on the BECE examination itself.

This grading structure reflects a balanced approach that values both consistent academic engagement throughout the academic year and demonstrated mastery on the standardized examination. The specific percentage ranges corresponding to each grade are as follows:

•  Grade 1: 90-100%
•  Grade 2: 80-89%
•  Grade 3: 70-79%
•  Grade 4: 60-69%
•  Grade 5: 55-59%
•  Grade 6: 50-54%
•  Grade 7: 40-49%
•  Grade 8: 35-39%
•  Grade 9: 0-34%

This announcement from WAEC provides clarity and transparency regarding the evaluation criteria for the BECE, allowing students, parents, and educators to understand the weighting of different assessment components and the standards required to achieve specific grades. The Council encourages all stakeholders to familiarize themselves with this system to ensure fair and accurate assessment of student performance.