I failed 2024 BECE as best student: 2026 students, learn from me

I failed the 2024 BECE as the best student in my school. Please, learn from my mistakes as a candidate of the 2026 BECE because someone’s story provides a big and better lesson and caution for others. The 2026 BECE starts on May 4th and ends on May 11th, 2026. My story will challenge you to avoid my mistakes.

Everyone in my school, including my teachers, headteacher, and parents, was sure I was going to pass the 2024 BECE and get placed in a category A school as a Business or science student, but hmm, I failed the 2024 BECE as the best student in my school. Everyone was expecting me to make at least 8 ones, but I was sure 9 ones was not beyond my reach.

As you read this: how I failed the 2024 BECE as the best student in my school: “The lessons in this story will help you not to fail the 2026 BECE in May, 2026. 

Three months before the examination, my studies at school and home picked up; my dad was always on my neck, waking me up at dawn to study before I went to school, and sometimes, he sat in the living room to monitor me. I dare not sleep off… My mock results were getting better, and everyone was impressed with them.

When I scored 80 in mathematics, for instance, the next person in the class was nowhere near and far off at 60 or 62. But along the way, I did make big mistakes, which I regret up to today.

1. I stopped paying attention in class as my confidence increased and turned into arrogance, and I failed to manage it. When the teacher is explaining something, I may decide to look on unconcerned or be playing secretly with my friends around. In the end, I did not add more knowledge to what I already knew or learned. My teachers got worried and reported to my dad, but I didn’t change.

2. I became disrespectful at home and in school to the extent that my dad felt he was worrying himself waking up to monitor me. I felt he was giving me too much pressure. In fact, he was rather pushing me to do better and was supposed to be appreciated.

3. I stopped going to the Saturday classes, which were organized to help us work on our Mathematics, English language, and Social Studies subjects. At best, I went to class very late or without books to work on. However, I was still pulling my weight. Instead of pushing up, I felt if I am able to do well in school, I will pass the BECE as well.

4. I became very disrespectful as I joined the bad boys in the class who often sat at the back. Quickly, they introduced me to chasing girls in the class at age 16. We went to secret pool parties and spent most of our time in the last three months before BECE having fun and going out without the knowledge of our parents and teachers.

5. Finally, I stopped being serious with my preparation and failed to attend sessions that teachers used to explain how to answer questions in the BECE. Our final mock, which was held just two weeks from the BECE, was a tough one for me. I moved from making 8-ones to scoring an aggregate of 20. My dad was very sad, and I could not look at Mummy in the face. Soon I realized I was out of steam and never ready for the BECE. I quickly started picking up, but it was even tougher.

It did not end there, ooo, hmmm. My friends started talking about contributing to buying leaked papers (Apor), so we can concentrate on them. We individually managed to pull resources together by borrowing money from friends and saving our pocket money for the papers.

Alas, during the BECE, hell broke loose as none of the leaked questions and answers we were given for the first three days were in the exam. Sweating in the exam hall while sitting at the door to the exam hall was such a scene. After each subject ended, I knew it was going to be a disaster. When the results were released, I had an aggregate of 22 and did not get placed in any of my four school choices. No Presec Legon, no Accra High, and no St. John’s Grammar.

The lessons in this story will help you not to fail the 2026 BECE in May. In the end, I found myself in a school in a typical village in the Eastern region. When I arrived at the school, I was in tears and told my dad I was not going to attend this school, as though I had an option.

“Well, you have no such choice, my son. You better enjoy it here and make good grades in the WASSCE, or I will not pay a penny for the NOV-DEC resit. This message was hard to take, but it challenged my inner self. 

My piece of advice to all BECE candidates is that the lessons in this story should help you not to fail the 2026 BECE in May 2026.

Hmmm, please learn from my mistakes if you are getting ready for your BECE or WASSCE. You will have yourself to blame if you make poor grades.

Anything you are doing now that will not help you pass your exam, cut it out of your life now.

Be serious with your study and know that after the BECE, your results will be for you and your family alone.

Your parents have invested so much in your basic school education. Imagine they were spending Ghs150 only on you each term from GK1 to JHS3. That will be (Ghs150.00 x 3 terms) x 11 years. This adds up to GHS 4950.00. This is several times lower than what they have actually invested in your basic education up to now.

Are you putting up the wrong behaviours and attitudes to fail? Think about it. Your BECE result must put a smile on the faces of your parents.

Pass BECE and WASSCE exam with our top 10 advice.

It must challenge others in your house and community, and it must bring celebration home and not pain and sorrow.

My BECE or WASSCE candidate, it is time to sit up, make your parents proud, and let them not regret paying your fees and taking you through school.

READ: Pass 2026 BECE with these 10 pieces of advice & be happy after

Bad grades break their hearts. Sit up and ensure my sad story, “I failed the 2024 BECE as the best student in my school,” teaches you a good lesson. Learn from my mistakes as a candidate. Good luck as you prepare for your BECE as a serious candidate. If you choose to make mistakes after reading this, your case may be worse than mine. If you fail the 2026 BECE, then Walaaaooo Walaaaa

Source: Anonymous student | Ghanaeducatio.org