The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) is an examination board established by law to determine the examinations required in the public interest in the English-speaking West African countries, to conduct the examinations and to award certificates comparable to those of equivalent examining authorities internationally
Established in 1952, the council has contributed to education in Anglophonic countries of West Africa (Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and the Gambia), with the number of examinations they have coordinated, and certificates they have issued.
They also formed an endowment fund, to contribute to the education in West Africa, through lectures, and aid to those who cannot afford education.
Examinations conducted
The council conducts four different categories of examinations. They are International Examinations, National Examinations,
Examinations conducted in collaboration with other examining bodies, and Examinations conducted on behalf of other examining bodies.
- The International exams are exams taken in the five countries with the WAEC Ordinance. It Consists Of: WASSCE (West African Senior School Certificate Examination):
- WASSCE FOR PRIVATE CANDIDATES (FIRST SERIES) JANUARY–FEBRUARY
- WASSCE FOR (SCHOOL CANDIDATES) MARCH – MAY
- WASSCE FOR PRIVATE CANDIDATES (MAIN GCE) SEPTEMBER–OCTOBER
The National examinations are taken in individual countries. They include:
- the Junior Secondary School Certificate for Nigeria and the Gambia,
- Junior and Senior High School Certificate Examinations for Liberia,
- National Primary School and Basic Education Certificate Examinations for Sierra Leone,
- Basic Education Certificate Examinations for Ghana, and Senior School Certificate Examinations for Ghana.
The council also coordinates examinations in collaboration with some trustworthy examination bodies. These include:
