If you missed the previous WAEC sitting or simply want to improve your grades, the 2026 WAEC GCE (General Certificate Examination) Second Series is your golden opportunity. This exam—organized by the West African Examinations Council—is designed for private candidates who aren’t in school but want to earn a WAEC certificate for university admission, job applications, or personal goals.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about WAEC GCE 2025, including subjects, registration fees, payment methods, deadlines, rules, and pro tips to help you prepare effectively. But before we get started, what is WAEC GCE?
Table of contents
- What Is WAEC GCE?
- Full List of WAEC GCE 2026 Subjects
- How Much Does It Cost To Register For 2026 WAEC GCE
- Where Can I Buy WAEC GCE PIN?
- Step-by-Step Guide to Register for WAEC GCE 2026
- Can I Register After the Deadline?
- How to Prepare Effectively for WAEC GCE 2026
- Is 2026 WAEC GCE 2nd Series Exam Timetable Out?
- FAQs On WAEC GCE 2026
- Conclusion
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What Is WAEC GCE?
WAEC GCE stands for West African Senior School Certificate Examination for Private Candidates. It’s different from the school-based WAEC exam because you can register and write it independently—no need to be enrolled in a secondary school.
It’s mainly for:
- Students who didn’t pass all their papers in a previous WAEC sitting.
- Those seeking to improve their grades for university admission.
- Adults or workers who want to obtain a valid school-leaving certificate.
Registration for the exam costs N27,000. Registration closes by 11:59pm on Friday, 30 January 2026.
So if you’ve been waiting to register, now’s the time to act.
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Full List of WAEC GCE 2026 Subjects
One of the best parts about GCE is flexibility—you get to choose from a wide range of subjects. But remember, the key is to select subjects relevant to your intended career path or university course. Don’t just follow what others are picking.
Here’s the complete list of subjects you can choose from, as published by WAEC:
- Commerce
- Financial Accounting
- Christian Religious Studies
- Economics
- Geography
- Government
- History
- Islamic Studies
- Literature in English
- Civic Education
- Arabic
- English Language
- French
- Hausa
- Igbo
- Yoruba
- Further Mathematics
- General Mathematics
- Agricultural Science
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Health Science
- Physical Education
- Physics
- Auto Mechanics
- Building Construction
- Metal Work
- Technical Drawing
- Woodwork
- Basic Electricity
- Basic Electronics
- Clothing and Textiles
- Foods and Nutrition
- Home Management
- Music
- Visual Art
Most candidates take a minimum of eight subjects, English Language and Mathematics are compulsory.
How Much Does It Cost To Register For 2026 WAEC GCE
To register for the 2026 WAEC GCE Second Series, you’ll need to pay the following:
- Registration Fee: ₦27,000
- Bank/Service Charge: ₦500
- Total: ₦27,500
Pay early. You don’t need to wait until the deadline because late registration often leads to mistakes or system errors that may affect your exam participation.
READ ALSO: Download WAEC Timetable for Nov/Dec 2025 GCE 2nd series CBT
Where Can I Buy WAEC GCE PIN?
You can purchase the registration PIN at any major bank in Nigeria, including:
- Access Bank Plc
- Ecobank Plc
- Fidelity Bank Plc
- First Bank of Nig
- First City Monument Bank Plc
- Guaranty Trust Bank Plc
- Heritage Bank Plc
- Jaiz Bank
- Polaris Bank Ltd
- Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc
- Standard Chartered Bank Plc
- Sterling Bank Plc
- Union Bank of Nigeria Plc
- United Bank for Africa Plc
- Unity Bank Plc
- WEMA Bank Plc
- Zenith Bank Plc
If you prefer online payment, WAEC also accepts digital platforms such as:
- Bancwize Limited
- Bring Africa
- Broadshift Technologies Ltd
- Citiserve Ltd
- Xpress payment
- Paga
- Palmpay
- Paycom
- System Specs Ltd
- Interswitch
- Coralpay
- Etranzact
- IQ Pay
- Cyberspace Ltd
- Itex
- Unified payments
- Capricorn Ltd
- Kudi
Once payment is made, you’ll receive a Registration PIN. This PIN gives you access to the online portal where you’ll complete your registration.
Keep it safe—you’ll need it throughout the registration and examination period.
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Step-by-Step Guide to Register for WAEC GCE 2026
Here’s a complete step by step guideline on how to complete your registration successfully:
Step 1: Obtain Your PIN
Visit any approved bank or digital payment platform and pay the registration fee. Collect your e-PIN immediately after payment.
Step 2: Visit the WAEC Registration Portal
Go to registration.waecdirect.org and log in using your PIN.
Step 3: Enter Your NIN
You must have a National Identification Number (NIN). Without it, you won’t be able to proceed with your registration.
Step 4: Clearly Indicate if you have Special Needs
Candidates with physical, visual, or hearing impairments should indicate this clearly on the portal. WAEC provides reasonable accommodations during exams.
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Step 5: Fill Out the Registration Form Carefully
Enter accurate information such as:
- Full name (ensure correct spelling)
- Date of birth
- Subjects to be written
- Gender
- Passport photograph (clear and recent)
- Contact details
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Step 6: Print Your Admission Notice
After completing your form, print the Admission Notice/Photocard. This document contains your Result Checker PIN and serves as your identification during the exam.
Important Deadlines to note
- Registration closes by 11:59pm on Friday, 30 January 2026.
Can I Register After the Deadline?
Candidates who want to register after entries close may be accepted as “Walk-in-Candidates”, if they register not less than 24 hours to the scheduled time of the paper(s) they want to write. The walk-in fee is Forty-Five Thousand Naira (N45,000.00) only.
How to Prepare Effectively for WAEC GCE 2026
- Use the WAEC Syllabus: The official WAEC syllabus outlines what to study for each subject. Download it HERE.
- Practice Past Questions: Go through past GCE papers to understand question patterns and marking schemes.
- Create a Study Schedule: Plan your reading time around your daily routine. Dedicate at least 2–3 hours daily to study.
- Focus on Core Subjects: Prioritize English Language, Mathematics, and subjects relevant to your course of interest.
- Join Study Groups: Online or physical study groups help you learn from others and share ideas.
- Simulate Exam Conditions: Practice answering questions under timed conditions through our mock test platform. This builds confidence and time management.
Is 2026 WAEC GCE 2nd Series Exam Timetable Out?
WASSCE have not released the 2026 WAEC GCE CBT timetable. Candidates should keep checking the website for the exam timetable.
FAQs On WAEC GCE 2026
You can download the updated 2026 WAEC syllabus here. The official WAEC syllabus outlines what to study for each subject.
The 2026 WAEC GCE registration is ongoing. Registration closes on Friday, 30 January 2026.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to register, the subjects available, and the rules to follow, don’t procrastinate. Head to an approved bank or digital platform today, get your PIN, and start your registration.
Your success story could begin with this simple step.
