WASSCE Core Subject Results Worst in Four Years

The 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) has produced the lowest performance in the four core subjects in four years, painting a worrying picture of Ghana’s secondary education system.

According to the provisional results released by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) on Saturday, November 29, 2025, the 2025 outcomes for English Language, Mathematics, Integrated Science, and Social Studies show a sharp decline compared to previous years. The council noted a fluctuating trend in performance from 2022 to 2025, with the latest results being the weakest.

A total of 461,736 candidates from 1,021 schools sat for the examination. This is a 0.24 per cent increase over the 460,611 candidates who registered in 2024. The candidates included 207,415 males and 254,321 females. However, 5,821 candidates were absent, representing 1.26 per cent of those registered.

Mathematics recorded the biggest decline. Only 48.73 per cent of candidates scored grades A1 to C6 in 2025, a huge drop from 66.86 per cent in 2024. The performance also fell below the 61.39 per cent recorded in 2022 and 62.23 per cent in 2023. In 2021, 54.11 per cent passed Mathematics, meaning the 2025 result is the lowest in the period reviewed. A total of 114,872 candidates, representing 26.77 per cent, obtained grade F9.

Social Studies also recorded a major fall. In 2025, only 55.82 per cent of candidates passed with grades A1 to C6, compared to 71.53 per cent in 2024. This 15.71-point drop makes the 2025 result the lowest since 2021, when 66.03 per cent passed. The subject saw its best performance in 2023 with 76.76 per cent. In total, 122,449 candidates failed Social Studies with grade F9, representing 27.5 per cent.

English Language, however, remained relatively stable. A total of 69 per cent scored grades A1 to C6 in 2025, compared with 69.52 per cent in 2024. Although the performance has dropped from its peak of 73.11 per cent in 2023, it remains higher than the 60.39 per cent in 2022 and the 54.08 per cent in 2021.

Integrated Science also declined. The subject recorded 57.74 per cent in 2025, a slight drop from 58.77 per cent in 2024. This continues a downward trend from 66.82 per cent in 2023 and 62.45 per cent in 2022. In 2021, 65.7 per cent passed Integrated Science, making the 2025 score the lowest within the four-year review period.

Overall, the data shows that 2023 was the strongest year for all core subjects. The decline began in 2024 and worsened significantly in 2025. The 2025 results are now lower than those recorded in 2021 for Mathematics, Integrated Science, and Social Studies. Only English Language remains above the 2021 level.

Examination Malpractice and Sanctions

WAEC has also confirmed several cases of examination malpractice. The council has cancelled the entire results of 653 candidates who were found with mobile phones in examination halls. This action follows investigations approved by the Ghana Examinations Committee at its 40th meeting.

Additionally, 6,295 candidates had their subject results cancelled for bringing foreign materials, such as prepared notes, textbooks, and printed sheets, into examination centres. A further 1,066 candidates, including 908 with withheld subject results and 158 with withheld entire results, are still under investigation.

The council has also withheld subject results from 185 schools due to suspected collusion, with final decisions expected before the end of December 2025.

WAEC revealed that 35 individuals, including 19 teachers, were implicated in activities that compromised the integrity of the exams. Nineteen have already been convicted, while 16 are yet to be arraigned.