WAEC Releases Final 2026 BECE Timetable; 500,000+ Candidates to Start National Exams on May 4 Amid Strict New Auditing Rules
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has officially released the final timetable for the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) for both school and private candidates.
According to WAEC, over 500,000 candidates across Ghana are expected to sit for the national examination, which will begin on Monday, May 4, 2026, and end on Monday, May 11, 2026.
2026 BECE Timetable Breakdown
Monday, May 4, 2026
- English Language 2 (Essay) — 9:00 a.m. – 10:10 a.m.
- English Language 1 (Objective) — 10:10 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
- Religious and Moral Education 2 (Essay) — 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- Religious and Moral Education 1 (Objective) — 2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
- Social Studies 2 (Essay) — 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
- Social Studies 1 (Objective) — 10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
- Creative Arts & Design 2 (Essay) — 1:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
- Creative Arts & Design 1 (Objective) — 2:15 p.m. – 3:05 p.m.
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
- Science 2 (Essay) — 9:00 a.m. – 10:25 a.m.
- Science 1 (Objective) — 10:25 a.m. – 11:10 a.m.
- Career Technology 2 (Essay) — 1:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
- Career Technology 1 (Objective) — 2:15 p.m. – 3:05 p.m.
Thursday, May 7, 2026
- Mathematics 2 (Essay) — 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
- Mathematics 1 (Objective) — 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
- Ghanaian Language 2 (Essay) — 1:00 p.m. – 2:10 p.m.
- Ghanaian Language 1 (Objective) — 2:10 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Friday, May 8, 2026
- French 2 (Essay) — 9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
- French 1 (Objective) — 9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
- Computing 2 (Essay) — 1:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
- Computing 1 (Objective) — 2:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Monday, May 11, 2026
- Arabic 2 (Essay) — 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
- Arabic 1 (Objective) — 10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Important Note
WAEC indicated that both papers for each subject will be taken at one sitting without break.
The Council also advised candidates to carefully follow the timetable and adhere strictly to all examination rules to ensure a smooth and successful examination process.