2026 BECE Results Released: WAEC Cancels 601 Results, Withholds 167 and Investigates 2,722 More

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released the provisional results of the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) for school candidates, while announcing sanctions against hundreds of candidates over examination malpractice.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, July 29, WAEC said the results have been sent to schools through the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Directors of Education. Candidates can also check their results through the Council’s official online results portal.

More Than 620,000 Candidates Sat for the Examination

According to WAEC, a total of 620,243 candidates participated in the 2026 BECE. The figure comprises 304,415 males and 315,828 females from 20,789 schools, who wrote the examination at 2,237 centres across the country.

The Council also disclosed that 3,601 registered candidates were absent from the examination.

WAEC further noted that special arrangements were made for candidates with special educational needs, including 136 visually impaired candidates, 282 hearing-impaired candidates, and 510 other candidates who required additional support.

Hundreds Sanctioned for Examination Malpractice

Following investigations into examination irregularities, WAEC’s 37th Meeting of the Final Awards and Examiners’ Appointment Committee approved sanctions against several candidates.

According to the Council:

• 496 candidates had some of their subject results cancelled.
• 105 candidates had their entire examination results cancelled.
• The subject results of 119 candidates have been withheld pending investigations.
• The complete results of 48 candidates have also been withheld.

In total, 601 candidates had their results cancelled, while 167 candidates have had their results withheld as investigations continue.

2,722 Results Under Investigation

WAEC also announced that the subject results of 2,722 candidates from 229 schools have been withheld for further scrutiny over suspected examination irregularities.

The Council said investigations are expected to be completed by August 31, 2026. Depending on the outcome, the affected results will either be released or cancelled.

Candidates whose results have been withheld or cancelled have been advised to access WAEC’s irregularities portal or use the dedicated withheld/cancelled results section on the Council’s official website to view details of their cases and any further action required.

School heads can also access the information through their official login credentials.

The examination body cautioned candidates and the public to be wary of individuals who claim they can alter or upgrade examination results for a fee.

WAEC stressed that its examination results are secure, tamper-proof and can be independently verified.

The Council also expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Education, the Ghana Education Service (GES), security agencies, school administrators, supervisors, invigilators, examiners and other stakeholders for their contribution to the successful conduct of the 2026 BECE and the timely release of the results.