How BECE is graded per WAEC explanations

In 2023, the West African Examination Council (WAEC) revealed detailed information on how BECE is graded. As candidates of this year’s BECE wait patiently for the release of their results, we share with parents, schools, and teachers the relevant information provided by WAEC.

The West African Examination Council (WAEC) has given details about how the BECE is graded. The step-by-step approach was made public by Rev. Victor Brew, the head of the legal department of the West African Examinations Council.

How BECE is graded: WAEC gives detailed explanations

While answering the question of How WAEC grades BECE students who sit for the BECE, Rev. Victor Brew disclosed to Joy News that the outcome of each candidate’s work in the exam determines the grade they obtain

Some students and parents contacted Ghanaeducation.org and complained about the results not reflecting the intelligence of the student. An answer from Rev. Victor Brew on this is that a student may be the best in his or her school; however, he or she may not meet the first 4% range targeted by the WAEC grading system, as it is a nationwide competition.

“…it’s the grading system and also the performance of their candidates, because mind you, if you’re a local champion where you keep getting 80s, know that if someone else has been getting 99, then you pray that your 80 falls within the 4%; otherwise, you’re going to get a grade 2, and that doesn’t mean you’re not good. You’re good, but others are better,” he explained.

For the purpose of the variation of the grading system, he urged school managers to avoid comparing cohorts of their institutions, as the “Norm-Referenced Grading System” used by WAEC varies yearly.

Explaining how the grading system is done, he said, “If the first 4% are to get grade 1, what it means is that if you took mathematics, unlike English, someone can get 100% in mathematics. So, what happens is that your candidate or the champion of your school in maths gets 80% during your mock trials or 89%, but then when you join forces with the candidates across the country, the question is whether your champion in maths in your school can beat all the champions across the country such that your champion falls within the first 4%.”

For this reason, he said WAEC is not to be blamed for the failure of candidates, as a particular batch may not fall within the range of the national grading system for the year.

Meanwhile, he thinks a coalition of a total number of candidates acquiring a grade in each subject across the country within a year will inform policy making so as to help improve the system.

Addressing the issue of the cancellation of the exams for some candidates, he said it is done based on the rules and regulations provided for the year groups before and during the exams.

READ: 2022 BECE Results Upgrade Services: Reality or SCAM and How to Get It

He has also notified parents whose children’s papers have been cancelled that they are permitted to appeal for remarking.