WAEC explains meaning of symbols on WASSCE, BECE results slip
The management of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has explained the meaning of symbols or their interpretations on the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) for School candidates’ results slip.
The symbols that have been interpreted by the not-for-profit organisation are also found on the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) statement of results for candidates who sit for the examinations.
The symbols, which include X, C, P, and W, help candidates understand the results of the examination, particularly for those whose results are cancelled due to involvement in examination malpractice.
Meaning of symbols on WASSCE & BECE results slip
1. X – Absent (This means a candidate did not report to sit for a particular subject or the entire examination)
2. C – Cancelled (This happens when a candidate is caught with foreign material, like prepared notes, textbooks, and printed material, in the examination halls)
3. P – Pending (This, according to WAEC, means a candidate’s result has been held for various suspected offences. The result will be released after the investigation is completed, and the outcome will determine whether the result is validated or not.)
4. W – Withheld (investigation into cases of alleged examination malpractice)
How to check WASSCE School results
1. Visit the WASSCE results portal
2. Enter your Index Number.
3. Select the Type of Examination (e.g, WASSCE School).
4. Select your Examination Year (eg, 2026).
5. Enter the Serial Number found on the Result Voucher
6. Enter the 12-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) on your Result Voucher (eg, 012345678912).
7. Confirm your Index Number and Examination Year. (This is to ensure that your examination information is correct.)
8. Click on the Submit button and wait for the display in the pop-up window. This may take several minutes, but it’s worth the wait, as the pop-up window will display the WASSCE for School results.
How to check BECE School and Private results
1. Visit the BECE result portal
2. Enter your Index number
3. Re-enter the Index number to confirm if it’s correct
4. Select Exam type (Eg, BECE School or BECE Private)
5. Choose the Exam year (2026)
6. Enter your Serial number (Eg, 180000000001)
7. Enter PIN (Eg A1B2C3D4E5F9)
8. Tick the Captcha and
9. Click on the submit button and wait for a new window to display your 2026 BECE result.
Relatedly, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) says provisional results note indicated on the WASSCE and BECE result slip refers to the temporary scores or grades that candidates obtained in an examination.
According to WAEC, provisional ( West African Senior School Certificate Examination or Basic Education Certificate Examination) results are subject to further scrutiny, verification, and approval by the examination board before they are considered final.
“Provisional results refer to preliminary or temporary outcomes that are subject to further verification or confirmation. These results are not final and may be adjusted after additional analysis or data validation,” an official of the Examinations Council explained in a discussion with Pretertiary.com.
