The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) is set to administer the final West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) under the current old curriculum this year, 2026. This marks a significant transition in Ghana’s educational landscape as the nation prepares to move fully into a new era of assessment.
According to the official 2026 SHS Academic Calendar, the WASSCE for school candidates is scheduled to begin with practical work on April 20, 2026, and will conclude on June 21, 2026.
The Transition to the New Curriculum
The 2026 sitting is officially the last old curriculum WASSCE for school-based candidates. Starting in 2027, the WASSCE will transition to a completely new examination format tailored to the new curriculum for the entire nation. It is important to note that this 2027 change is specific to Ghana ONLY.
Educational experts are advising students who are currently eligible to take the exams to do so with the utmost seriousness. The transition period can be challenging, and as the saying goes, “Had I known is always at the last”.
Future of WASSCE Private Candidates (Nov/Dec)
While the school-based exams are changing in 2027, Ghana Education News projects a grace period for private candidates. Just as was done for the BECE, it is projected that WAEC will continue to organize Private WASSCE (Nov/Dec) based on the old curriculum for at least four years from now before a total phase-out.
This means students who sat for the WASSCE under the old curriculum and did not achieve their desired results have a limited window to resit. Candidates are encouraged to do well to resit and pass the WASSCE Private exam before WAEC officially stops administering the old curriculum papers.
Why This Year is a “Last Chance”
The 2026 WASSCE represents a historic “last chance” for students to be tested on the familiar ground of the old curriculum. As Ghana moves toward the 2027 transition, the stakes have never been higher for candidates to secure their passing grades now, rather than facing an entirely new and untested examination format next year. This shift marks a definitive end to an era of secondary education, making this year’s sitting the most critical one in recent memory.
Furthermore, while the door remains open through the Private WASSCE for a projected four-year window, the opportunity is finite. Students must view this period not as a reason for complacency, but as a countdown to a complete educational overhaul. Passing now means avoiding the complexities of a new system that will be exclusive to Ghana, ensuring that your academic journey remains on track without the need for radical re-learning.
READ: How to Answer Order of Adjectives Questions in BECE & WASSCE English
Don’t Wait for the New Curriculum—Register for Your Resit Now!
If you have previously sat for the WASSCE and did not achieve the required results, this is your wake-up call. The 2026 and subsequent Private WASSCE sittings are your final opportunities to clear your papers using the syllabus you already know. Don’t wait until the old curriculum is phased out completely. Take action today, join an intensive remedial class, and ensure you pass your exams before the 2027 transition changes everything!