The WAEC has released the official timetable for the 2026 GCE Second Series, and private candidates across Nigeria and other West African countries can now begin serious, date specific preparations.Â
Whether you are sitting the examination for the first time, retaking a failed subject, or working to meet university admission requirements, knowing the exact schedule of papers is the single most important step before anything else.
Below, we have covered every important date on the 2026 WAEC GCE Second Series timetable and explained what the examination involves with practical suggestions to help you make the most of the remaining preparation time.
What Is the WAEC GCE 2nd Series?
The WAEC GCE, formally called the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for Private Candidates, is conducted by WAEC twice every year.Â
Both series carry the same WASSCE certificate. The result is accepted by all Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, as well as tertiary institutions across Ghana, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and Liberia.
Private candidates, those not registered through a secondary school, are the primary audience for this examination. People register for the GCE Second Series for a wide range of reasons:
To resit subjects they failed or scored poorly in during a previous examination
To add subjects they did not write during the school based WASSCE
To meet specific O-level requirements for university admission
To combine results from multiple sittings for JAMB registration purposes
From 2026, WAEC has adopted a CBT approach for objective papers. Essay and practical papers continue to use a hybrid format, where questions appear on screen but candidates write their answers in physical booklets or demonstrate skills in person.
Full WAEC GCE 2026 2nd Series Timetable
The examination runs from Friday, 4th September, 2026, to Wednesday, 28th October, 2026. Below is the complete schedule as released by WAEC, organised by date.
DATE | PAPER CODE | SUBJECT/PAPER | DURATION | NIG. TIME |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Friday, 4th September, 2026 | PC7023 | Foods and Nutrition 3 (Practical) Planning Session | 1 hr | 9:30am – 10:30am |
PC7033 | Home Management 3 (Practical) Planning Session | 1 hr | 10:30am – 11:30am | |
Monday, 14th – Friday, 25th September, 2026 | PC3013 | Arabic 3 (Oral) | 15 mins | Date and time to be arranged by the Council |
PC7054 | Music 3B (Performance Test) | 30 mins | Date and time to be arranged by the Council | |
PC3043 | French 3 (Oral) | 40 mins | Date and time to be arranged by the Council | |
PC7023 | Foods and Nutrition 3 (Practical) | 3 hrs | Date and time to be arranged by the Council | |
PC7033 | Home Management 3 (Practical) | 3 hrs | Date and time to be arranged by the Council | |
Tuesday, 22nd September, 2026 | PC4012 | Further Mathematics/Mathematics (Elective) 2 (Essay) | 2 hrs 30 mins | 9:30am – 12:00pm |
PC4011 | Further Mathematics/Mathematics (Elective) 1 (Objective) | 1 hr 30 mins | 2:00pm – 3:30pm | |
Wednesday, 23rd September, 2026 | PC1042 | Accounting 2 (Theory and Practice) | 2 hrs 30 mins | 9:30am – 12:00pm |
PC1041 | Accounting 1 (Objective) | 1 hr | 12:00pm – 1:00pm | |
PC2052 | Government 2 (Essay) | 2 hrs | 2:00pm – 4:00pm | |
PC2051 | Government 1 (Objective) | 1 hr | 4:00pm – 5:00pm | |
Thursday, 24th September, 2026 | PC3272 | Hausa 2 (Essay) | 2 hrs | 9:30am – 11:30am |
PC3271 | Hausa 1 (Objective) | 1 hr | 11:30am – 12:30pm | |
PC3282 | Igbo 2 (Essay) | 2 hrs | 9:30am – 11:30am | |
PC3281 | Igbo 1 (Objective) | 1 hr | 11:30am – 12:30pm | |
PC3292 | Yoruba 2 (Essay) | 2 hrs | 9:30am – 11:30am | |
PC3291 | Yoruba 1 (Objective) | 1 hr | 11:30am – 12:30pm | |
Friday, 25th September, 2026 | PC7032 | Home Management 2 (Essay) | 1 hr | 9:30am – 10:30am |
PC7031 | Home Management 1 (Objective) | 1 hr | 10:30am – 11:30am | |
Monday, 28th September, 2026 | PC5112 | Physical Education 2 (Essay) | 1 hr 20 mins | 2:00pm – 3:20pm |
PC5111 | Physical Education 1 (Objective) | 50 mins | 3:20pm – 4:10pm | |
Tuesday, 29th September, 2026 | PC5083 | Health Education/Health Science 3 (Alternative to Practical Work) | 1 hr 45 mins | 9:30am – 11:15am |
PC5113 | Physical Education 3 (Theory of Practice) | 2 hrs | 2:00pm – 4:00pm | |
Wednesday, 30th September, 2026 | PC7063 | Visual Art 3A (Drawing) | 3 hrs | 2:00pm – 5:00pm |
Saturday, 3rd October, 2026 | PC4022 | General Mathematics 2 (Essay) | 2 hrs 30 mins | 9:30am – 12:00pm |
PC4021 | General Mathematics 1 (Objective) | 1 hr 30 mins | 2:00pm – 3:30pm | |
Monday, 5th October, 2026 | PC5052 | Chemistry 2 (Essay) | 2 hrs | 9:30am – 11:30am |
PC5051 | Chemistry 1 (Objective) | 1 hr | 11:30am – 12:30pm | |
PC5053 | Chemistry 3 (Alternative to Practical Work) | 1 hr 30 mins | 2:00pm – 3:30pm | |
Tuesday, 6th October, 2026 | PC2102 | Literature in English 2 (Prose) | 1 hr 15 mins | 9:30am – 10:45am |
PC2101 | Literature in English 1 (Objective) | 1 hr | 10:45am – 11:45am | |
Wednesday, 7th October, 2026 | PC5042 | Biology 2 (Essay) | 1 hr 40 mins | 9:30am – 11:10am |
PC5041 | Biology 1 (Objective) | 50 mins | 11:10am – 12:00pm | |
PC5043 | Biology 3 (Alternative to Practical Work) | 2 hrs | 2:00pm – 4:00pm | |
Thursday, 8th October, 2026 | PC2103 | Literature in English 3 (Drama & Poetry) | 2 hrs 30 mins | 2:00pm – 4:30pm |
Friday, 9th October, 2026 | PC2022 | Christian Religious Studies 2 (Essay) | 2 hrs | 9:30am – 11:30am |
PC2021 | Christian Religious Studies 1 (Objective) | 1 hr | 11:30am – 12:30pm | |
PC2082 | Islamic Studies 2 (Essay) | 2 hrs | 9:30am – 11:30am | |
PC2081 | Islamic Studies 1 (Objective) | 50 mins | 11:30am – 12:20pm | |
Saturday, 10th October, 2026 | PC2032 | Economics 2 (Essay) | 2 hrs | 9:30am – 11:30am |
PC2031 | Economics 1 (Objective) | 1 hr | 11:30am – 12:30pm | |
PC7062 | Visual Art 2 (Essay) | 2 hrs | 2:00pm – 4:00pm | |
PC7061 | Visual Art 1 (Objective) | 50 mins | 4:00pm – 4:50pm | |
Monday, 12th October, 2026 | PC7052 | Music 2 (Essay) | 2 hrs | 9:30am – 11:30am |
PC7051 | Music 1 (Objective) | 1 hr | 11:30am – 12:30pm | |
PC3012 | Arabic 2 (Essay) | 2 hrs | 2:00pm – 4:00pm | |
PC3011 | Arabic 1 (Objective) | 50 mins | 4:00pm – 4:50pm | |
Tuesday, 13th October, 2026 | PC2072 | Nigerian History 2 (Essay) | 2 hrs | 9:30am – 11:30am |
PC2071 | Nigerian History 1 (Objective) | 1 hr | 11:30am – 12:30pm | |
PC1032 | Commerce 2 (Essay) | 2 hrs | 2:00pm – 4:00pm | |
PC1031 | Commerce 1 (Objective) | 50 mins | 4:00pm – 4:50pm | |
Wednesday, 14th October, 2026 | PC2042 | Geography 2 (Essay) | 2 hrs | 9:30am – 11:30am |
PC2041 | Geography 1 (Objective) | 1 hr | 11:30am – 12:30pm | |
PC2043 | Geography 3 (Practical and Physical Geography) | 1 hr 50 mins | 2:30pm – 4:20pm | |
Thursday, 15th October, 2026 | PC5122 | Physics 2 (Essay) | 1 hr 30 mins | 9:30am – 11:00am |
PC5121 | Physics 1 (Objective) | 1 hr 15 mins | 11:00am – 12:15pm | |
PC5123 | Physics 3 (Alternative to Practical Work) | 2 hrs 45 mins | 2:00pm – 4:45pm | |
Friday, 16th October, 2026 | PC1122 | Marketing 2 (Essay) | 2 hrs | 9:30am – 11:30am |
PC1121 | Marketing 1 (Objective) | 50 mins | 11:30am – 12:20pm | |
Saturday, 17th October, 2026 | PC3022 | English Language 2 (Essay) | 2 hrs | 9:30am – 11:30am |
PC3021 | English Language 1 (Objective) | 1 hr | 11:30am – 12:30pm | |
PC3023 | English Language 3 (Test of Orals) | 45 mins | 2:00pm – 2:45pm | |
Tuesday, 20th October, 2026 | PC7022 | Foods and Nutrition 2 (Essay) | 1 hr 15 mins | 2:00pm – 3:15pm |
PC7021 | Foods and Nutrition 1 (Objective) | 1 hr | 3:15pm – 4:15pm | |
Wednesday, 21st October, 2026 | PC5022 | Agriculture 2 (Essay) | 2 hrs 10 mins | 9:30am – 11:40am |
PC5021 | Agriculture 1 (Objective) | 50 mins | 11:40am – 12:30pm | |
PC5023 | Agriculture 3 (Alternative to Practical Work) | 1 hr 30 mins | 2:00pm – 3:30pm | |
Thursday, 22nd October, 2026 | PC7064 | Visual Art 3B (Creative Design) | 3 hrs | 9:30am – 12:30pm |
PC3042 | French 2 (Essay) | 1 hr 15 mins | 9:30am – 10:45am | |
Friday, 23rd October, 2026 | PC3041 | French 1 (Objective) | 1 hr | 10:45am – 11:45am |
PC5082 | Health Education/Health Science 2 (Essay) | 1 hr 30 mins | 3:30pm – 5:00pm | |
PC5081 | Health Education/Health Science 1 (Objective) | 1 hr | 5:00pm – 6:00pm | |
Saturday, 24th October, 2026 | PC2162 | Civic Education 2 (Essay) | 2 hrs | 9:30am – 11:30am |
PC2161 | Civic Education 1 (Objective) | 1 hr | 11:30am – 12:30pm | |
Tuesday, 27th October, 2026 | PC7053 | Music 3A (Aural) | 45 mins | 2:00pm – 2:45pm |
Wednesday, 28th October, 2026 | PC6083 | Technical Drawing 3 (Sketches, Building and Mechanical Drawing) | 2 hrs 45 mins | 9:30am – 12:15pm |
PC6082 | Technical Drawing 2 (Essay) | 1 hr 45 mins | 2:30pm – 4:15pm | |
PC6081 | Technical Drawing 1 (Objective) | 1 hr | 4:15pm – 5:15pm |
Understanding the CBT Format for 2026
The 2026 examination introduces full CBT for all objective papers. This is a change that candidates should prepare for specifically, especially those who have been studying primarily from textbooks without any digital practice.
The examination format works as follows:
Objective Papers (Paper 1): Fully computer based. Candidates answer multiple choice questions on a computer screen at approved CBT centres.
Essay Papers (Paper 2): A hybrid approach; questions are displayed on screen, but candidates write their answers in physical answer booklets.
Practical and Alternative to Practical Papers (Paper 3): Hybrid format. Questions appear digitally, while practical demonstrations and written responses are done physically.
One important rule to note: where the duration printed on the question paper differs from what appears on the timetable, candidates should follow the duration stated on the question paper.
What to Bring on Examination Day
Arriving at an examination centre without the right materials can result in being turned away. The following items are required or permitted:
Required | Permitted | Prohibited |
|---|---|---|
Printed admission notice | Pens and pencils | Mobile phones |
Valid means of identification | Rulers and calculators (where allowed) | Smartwatches and earphones |
WAEC registration PIN details | Eraser | Electronic devices (unauthorised) |
Candidates should arrive at the examination centre at least 30 minutes before the stated start time. Late arrivals may be denied entry.
Useful Advice for Preparing for the WAEC GCE 2nd Series 2026
With the timetable now confirmed, preparation should become structured and deliberate. Here is how to approach the remaining time effectively.
Build a subject specific study plan. Map out the timetable against a calendar, then work backwards from each paper date to assign revision sessions.
Use past questions consistently. The WAEC GCE draws questions from the same syllabus year after year. Past question papers familiarise you with the style, phrasing, and distribution of marks across topics. Aim to complete past questions under timed conditions.
Practice with CBT tools. Since objective papers are fully digital, candidates should practise on CBT platforms before the exam. Spending time on these tools removes the anxiety of encountering the format for the first time in the examination hall.
Prioritise practical subjects early. Subjects like Foods and Nutrition, Home Management, Woodwork, Auto Mechanics, and Basic Electricity have their practical components scheduled in October.
Manage examination day logistics in advance. Know your examination centre's location, how long it takes to get there, and what transport options are available. Confirm your admission notice, identification, and all required stationery at least two days before each paper.
See Latest News: WAEC Releases GCE Second Series CBT Timetable
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Has WAEC released the 2026 GCE timetable?
A: Yes, WAEC has released the timetable for the 2026 WASSCE for Private Candidates (GCE). Candidates are advised to use the official timetable when planning their examinations.
Q: Is the 2026 WAEC GCE timetable the same as the May/June WAEC timetable?
A: No. The WAEC GCE is designed for private candidates, while the May/June WASSCE is mainly for school candidates. They have separate examination timetables.
Q: How many series of WAEC GCE will be conducted in 2026?
A: WAEC conducts the WASSCE for private candidates in two series. Candidates should check the timetable for the series they registered for to know their examination dates.
Q: Does the WAEC GCE 2026 timetable include examination times?
A: Yes. The timetable contains the dates, subjects, papers, examination times and duration for the scheduled examinations. Candidates should carefully check the time allocated to each paper.
Q: Can WAEC change the 2026 GCE timetable?
A: Yes. WAEC may make changes to the examination schedule when necessary. Candidates should regularly check official WAEC announcements for corrections or changes to the timetable.
Leave a Reply