The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has extended the registration deadline for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination for Private Candidates, Second Series, popularly known as WAEC GCE.
The examination body announced the extension on Saturday, giving prospective candidates additional time to complete their registration ahead of the examination scheduled for September and October 2026.
According to WAEC, the new registration deadline is Friday, August 28, 2026, replacing the earlier deadline of July 31.
The council made the announcement through its official X account, urging candidates who are yet to register to take advantage of the extension and complete the process before the new deadline expires.
“Registration for the WASSCE for private candidates, 2026 – second series has now been extended to Friday, August 28, 2026,” the council stated.
The WAEC GCE is designed primarily for candidates who are not enrolled in regular secondary schools but require the opportunity to obtain or improve their West African Senior School Certificate Examination results.
The examination is also relevant to candidates who may have previously sat for the WASSCE and want to improve their grades in selected subjects or obtain credits required for further education and other opportunities.
WAEC said the 2026 Second Series examination would be conducted entirely as a Computer-Based Examination.
The shift to a fully computer-based format means candidates will take the examination electronically rather than through the traditional paper-and-pen format.
The registration fee remains N37,000, with candidates expected to complete the registration process before the August 28 deadline.
WAEC has also advised prospective candidates to visit the nearest WAEC office in their respective states to confirm the available examination towns before completing their registration.
The advice is particularly important because candidates are expected to select an examination town where they can sit for the examination during the registration process.
Registration for the 2026 Second Series of the WASSCE for Private Candidates commenced on May 4, 2026.
The latest extension therefore provides candidates who missed the initial deadline with another opportunity to register for the examination.
The examination, which is scheduled to hold between September and October, is expected to cater to thousands of private candidates seeking to obtain or improve their O’Level qualifications.
The WAEC GCE remains an important alternative for individuals who are no longer in the conventional secondary-school system but need a recognised secondary school certificate for further education, employment or other purposes.
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With the new deadline now set for August 28, prospective candidates are expected to complete their registration promptly rather than wait until the final days, particularly given the requirement to confirm examination towns and complete the necessary registration procedures.
WAEC’s extension effectively gives candidates who were unable to meet the July 31 deadline a final additional window to participate in the 2026 Second Series examination.
Candidates are therefore advised to use the extension period to complete their registration and ensure that all details supplied during the process are accurate before the new deadline.
