In regard to the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), candidates need to understand how to calculate their aggregate score using WAEC’s grading system. This is neccessary because your grade score will not only show how well you performed but also your chances of gaining admission into the University.

To avoid surprises when trying to get admission, you need to understand WAEC’s grading system and how to calculate your grade score. This guide is here to give you all the information you need on WAEC’s grading system for WASSCE, 2026.

WAEC’s Grading System for WASSCE

The West African Examination Council (WAEC) uses a standardizd system represented as letter grades that starts from A1 (which is the highest grade), down to F9 (which is the lowest grade) in assessing students. Each letter grade is assigned a numerical value which helps you in calculating your score.

Below is a table description of WAEC’s grading scale for WASSCE candidates.

Grade	Interpretation	Value	Mark Range (%)
A1	Excellent	1	75% – 100%
B2	Very Good	2	70% – 74%
B3	Good	3	65% – 69%
C4	Credit	4	60% – 64%
C5	Credit	5	55% – 59%
C6	Credit	6	50% – 54%
D7	Pass	7	45% – 49%
E8	Pass	8	40% – 44%
F9	Fail	9	0% – 39%

How WAEC Grade your WASSCE Results

WAEC determines your final WASSCE grade by combining your written exam and continuous assessment, which includes tests, assignments and end of term exams during your three years in Senior High School. In general, the written exam accounts for 70% of the total score, while continuous assessment makes up the remaining 30%.

Steps to Calculate your Aggregate Score

In order to get your aggregate score, you must add the numerical values of your best six subjects. This includes three of your best core subjects and three best elective subjects. Follow the steps below to calculate your score:

Step 1: Select your best three core subjects

You are to select your best three of your core subjects (English, Mathematics, Science and Social). These are the subjects you had the lowest numerical values. This includes English, Mathematics and choose the better grade between Science or Social.

Step 2: Select your best three elective subjects

You then have to select your best three elective subjects, depending on your SHS programme ie., General Science, Business, General Arts, Visual Arts, Home Economics.

Steps 3: Add the values

Now combine the numerical values of your best three core subjects and your best three elective subjects from step 1 and 2 to get your aggregate score.

For example, a Science student with the following grades for Core and Electives:

• Core subjects: English (A1), Mathematics (B2), Science (B3), Social (C4)

Best 3: A1 + B2 + B3 = 6

• Electives: Chemistry (A1), Biology (A1), Physics (B2), Elective Maths (B3)

Best 3: A1 + A1 + B2 = 4

Hence, total aggregate scored by student: 6 (core) + 4 (electives) = 10

Note: Having a lower aggregate score after adding the best six subjects indicate you had a good grade. In other words the lower your aggregate score the better your grade.

Use our free online calculator to calculate your WASSCE aggregate score

Core Subjects

English LanguageCORE

Select GradeA1B2B3C4C5C6D7E8F9WITHHELDPENDINGUNAVAILABLE

Mathematics (Core)CORE

Select GradeA1B2B3C4C5C6D7E8F9WITHHELDPENDINGUNAVAILABLE

Integrated ScienceCORE

Select GradeA1B2B3C4C5C6D7E8F9WITHHELDPENDINGUNAVAILABLE

Social StudiesCORE

Select GradeA1B2B3C4C5C6D7E8F9WITHHELDPENDINGUNAVAILABLE

Elective Subjects

Select four elective subjects and their grades. No duplicate subjects allowed!

Elective 1ELECTIVE

Select a subjectAnimal HusbandryApplied ElectricityArabicAuto MechanicsBasketryBiologyBuilding ConstructionBusiness ManagementCeramicsChemistryChristian Religious StudiesClerical Office DutiesClothing and TextilesCrop Husbandry and HorticultureDagaareDagbaniDangmeEconomicsElectronicsEweFinancial AccountingFisheriesFoods and NutritionForestryFrenchGaGeneral AgricultureGeneral Knowledge-In-ArtGeographyGonjaGovernmentGraphic DesignHistoryICT (Elective)Islamic Religious StudiesJewelleryKasemLeatherworkLiterature in EnglishManagement-In-LivingMathematics (Elective)MetalworkMusicNzemaPhysicsPicture MakingPrinciples of Cost AccountingSculptureTechnical DrawingTextilesTwi (Akuapem)Twi (Asante)Typewriting (40wpm)West Africa Traditional ReligionWoodwork

Select GradeA1B2B3C4C5C6D7E8F9WITHHELDPENDINGUNAVAILABLE

Elective 2ELECTIVE

Select a subjectAnimal HusbandryApplied ElectricityArabicAuto MechanicsBasketryBiologyBuilding ConstructionBusiness ManagementCeramicsChemistryChristian Religious StudiesClerical Office DutiesClothing and TextilesCrop Husbandry and HorticultureDagaareDagbaniDangmeEconomicsElectronicsEweFinancial AccountingFisheriesFoods and NutritionForestryFrenchGaGeneral AgricultureGeneral Knowledge-In-ArtGeographyGonjaGovernmentGraphic DesignHistoryICT (Elective)Islamic Religious StudiesJewelleryKasemLeatherworkLiterature in EnglishManagement-In-LivingMathematics (Elective)MetalworkMusicNzemaPhysicsPicture MakingPrinciples of Cost AccountingSculptureTechnical DrawingTextilesTwi (Akuapem)Twi (Asante)Typewriting (40wpm)West Africa Traditional ReligionWoodwork

Select GradeA1B2B3C4C5C6D7E8F9WITHHELDPENDINGUNAVAILABLE

Elective 3ELECTIVE

Select a subjectAnimal HusbandryApplied ElectricityArabicAuto MechanicsBasketryBiologyBuilding ConstructionBusiness ManagementCeramicsChemistryChristian Religious StudiesClerical Office DutiesClothing and TextilesCrop Husbandry and HorticultureDagaareDagbaniDangmeEconomicsElectronicsEweFinancial AccountingFisheriesFoods and NutritionForestryFrenchGaGeneral AgricultureGeneral Knowledge-In-ArtGeographyGonjaGovernmentGraphic DesignHistoryICT (Elective)Islamic Religious StudiesJewelleryKasemLeatherworkLiterature in EnglishManagement-In-LivingMathematics (Elective)MetalworkMusicNzemaPhysicsPicture MakingPrinciples of Cost AccountingSculptureTechnical DrawingTextilesTwi (Akuapem)Twi (Asante)Typewriting (40wpm)West Africa Traditional ReligionWoodwork

Select GradeA1B2B3C4C5C6D7E8F9WITHHELDPENDINGUNAVAILABLE

Elective 4ELECTIVE

Select a subjectAnimal HusbandryApplied ElectricityArabicAuto MechanicsBasketryBiologyBuilding ConstructionBusiness ManagementCeramicsChemistryChristian Religious StudiesClerical Office DutiesClothing and TextilesCrop Husbandry and HorticultureDagaareDagbaniDangmeEconomicsElectronicsEweFinancial AccountingFisheriesFoods and NutritionForestryFrenchGaGeneral AgricultureGeneral Knowledge-In-ArtGeographyGonjaGovernmentGraphic DesignHistoryICT (Elective)Islamic Religious StudiesJewelleryKasemLeatherworkLiterature in EnglishManagement-In-LivingMathematics (Elective)MetalworkMusicNzemaPhysicsPicture MakingPrinciples of Cost AccountingSculptureTechnical DrawingTextilesTwi (Akuapem)Twi (Asante)Typewriting (40wpm)West Africa Traditional ReligionWoodwork

Select GradeA1B2B3C4C5C6D7E8F9WITHHELDPENDINGUNAVAILABLE

Calculate Aggregate

Important Notes

These are important points to note as a requirement for gaining admission to the University:

• While D7 or E8 is a pass, almost all Universities in Ghana would need you to have Credit passes (A1 – C6) in your core subjects in order to gain admission.

• Where students fail any of the core subjects such as English and Mathematics (with grade scores of D7, E8 or F9), they are often advised to retake the exams because very few Tertiary Institutions acceepts students with such grades.

• Competitive Programmes such as Medicine, Law and Pharmacy would need you to get an aggregate score between 6 and 12.