Admission Process for Students with WAEC Deficiencies in Nigeria

1. What is a WAEC Deficiency?

WAEC Deficiency means your WAEC result has one or more problems that make you not fully qualified for university admission. These problems may include:

Missing subjects
Fail grades in required subjects
Withheld or outstanding results
Incomplete result (e.g., only 4 subjects passed out of 9)
Combination errors

In simple words: If your result is not complete or doesn’t meet admission requirements, it is called a WAEC deficiency.

2. Common Types of WAEC Deficiencies

There are different ways a WAEC result can be “deficient.” Some of the most common ones include:

2.1. Fail Grades in Core Subjects

For example, failing English Language or Mathematics automatically disqualifies you from many courses.

2.2. Incomplete Number of Credits

Most universities require at least 5 credit passes in relevant subjects. If you have less than that, it’s a deficiency.

2.3. Withheld or Outstanding Results

Sometimes WAEC holds or delays results due to:

Exam malpractice investigation
Technical error during marking or upload
Issues at the exam center

If your result shows “Outstanding” or “Withheld,” that’s a deficiency.

2.4. Missing Subject or Paper

Sometimes a subject may not appear in the result due to:

Missing script
Registration error

This makes the result incomplete.

2.5. Wrong Subject Combination

If your course needs Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, and you didn’t take one of them, that’s a subject combination error.

3. How WAEC Deficiencies Affect University Admission

If you have WAEC deficiencies, universities may reject your application, especially for competitive courses like:

Medicine
Engineering
Law
Nursing
Pharmacy

These courses require full, correct, and excellent O’Level results.

Even for less competitive courses, most schools will not accept D7, E8, or F9 in core subjects like English or Maths.

Also, JAMB requires all candidates to have:

Five (5) credits including English and Mathematics
Proper subject combination

So, WAEC deficiencies reduce or remove your chances of direct admission.

4. Can You Still Get Admission With WAEC Deficiencies?

Yes, you can still get admission. Many students with poor or incomplete WAEC results have gained admission through:

Using another exam like NECO, GCE, or NABTEB
Combining results (two sittings)
Using “Awaiting Result”
Applying for pre-degree or diploma
Taking IJMB, JUPEB, or A’Levels
Gaining admission into polytechnic first, then using HND or direct entry later

5. Solutions for Students With WAEC Deficiencies

Let’s look at the best options available:

5.1. Register for WAEC GCE (Private Candidate)

You can re-write the subjects you failed. WAEC GCE is conducted twice a year (Jan/Feb and Aug/Sept). It gives you a second chance.

5.2. Use NECO, NABTEB, or GCE Instead

If your WAEC is bad, you can:

Register and sit for NECO
Write NABTEB
Combine WAEC and NECO or WAEC and GCE results

5.3. Use “Two Sittings”

Most universities accept two sittings. You can combine:

WAEC + WAEC
WAEC + NECO
WAEC + NABTEB
WAEC + GCE

5.4. Use “Awaiting Result” (AR)

If your result is withheld or outstanding, some schools allow you to apply with “Awaiting Result.” But the result must be ready before admission.

5.5. Switch to Polytechnic or College of Education

Many polytechnics and colleges accept candidates with weaker results. Later, you can use HND or NCE for direct entry into a university.

5.6. Pre-degree, IJMB, JUPEB Programs

You can enter a one-year pre-university program and gain admission without WAEC.

6. How to Use NECO, GCE, or NABTEB as an Alternative

6.1. Register for NECO or NABTEB

NECO is like WAEC, conducted in June/July
NABTEB is a technical alternative exam
Both are accepted by JAMB and many universities

Make sure to choose the correct subject combination for your course.

6.2. Combine with WAEC

You can submit results from:

WAEC + NECO
WAEC + GCE
WAEC + NABTEB

Ensure both have at least 5 credits together and correct subjects.

6.3. Use Best Grades

If you passed Physics in NECO but failed in WAEC, use the NECO Physics result.

7. Using Awaiting Result (AR) for Admission

If your WAEC result is:

Withheld
Outstanding
Not yet released

You can register for JAMB and apply for university using “AR”.

Key Points:

Must upload result once it is released
If the result is not available by admission list time, you may lose your slot
Always follow up with WAEC office if your result is delayed

8. Using Two Sittings to Fix WAEC Deficiency

“Two sittings” means combining two different O’Level results to make up for missing or failed subjects.

Example:

WAEC 2022: Passed English, Chemistry, Biology
GCE 2023: Passed Maths, Physics

You now have 5 credits in the right subjects across both results.

Most Nigerian universities accept two sittings.

But some top courses like Medicine and Law may not.

9. How to Gain Admission Without WAEC at All

If your WAEC is completely bad or you never wrote it, you can:

9.1. Go for Pre-degree

Offered by universities like UNILAG, OAU, UNIBEN
One-year program
After passing the final exam, you enter 100 level

9.2. Register for JUPEB or IJMB

9-month or 1-year A-level program
After completion, you enter 200 level directly
No need for WAEC if you pass well and have some basic education

9.3. Choose Polytechnic or College of Education

Many accept low grades
Some even accept candidates with 3 or 4 credits
You can later move to university through Direct Entry

10. Step-by-Step Admission Process for Students With WAEC Deficiencies

Here is a simple guide:

Step 1: Identify the Deficiency

Which subject(s) did you fail?
How many credits do you have?

Step 2: Decide on a Solution

Write NECO or GCE again?
Combine two results?
Apply for pre-degree or diploma?

Step 3: Register JAMB with Awaiting Result (if needed)

Choose correct course and subject combination
Indicate “Awaiting Result” if your result is not ready

Step

4: Apply to Institutions That Accept Your Status

Some schools accept candidates with results in progress
Choose such schools for better chances

Step 5: Upload Results Once Ready

Visit JAMB portal and upload your O’Level result

Step 6: Prepare for Post-UTME

Study hard, even if your result is delayed

Step 7: Wait for Admission List

Follow up with school portal
Keep checking your JAMB CAPS

11. Admission Alternatives: Pre-degree, JUPEB, IJMB

11.1. Pre-degree Program

University-run
1 year
No JAMB required
Good performance grants admission

11.2. JUPEB (Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board)

A-Level program
Gain direct admission into 200 level
Accepted in many universities (UNILAG, OAU, UI, etc.)

11.3. IJMB (Interim Joint Matriculation Board)

Similar to JUPEB
Based in Northern Nigeria
Direct entry admission into 200 level

12. Summary Table: WAEC Deficiency Solutions

Deficiency Type	Admission Option	Notes
Failed English or Maths	Re-sit WAEC/NECO/GCE	Cannot be admitted without credit in both
Less than 5 credits	Combine two sittings	Must include required subjects
Withheld/Outstanding	Use Awaiting Result	Result must be uploaded before admission deadline
Wrong subject combination	Write new exam with correct subjects	Use GCE, NECO, or NABTEB
Bad result overall	Pre-degree, IJMB, JUPEB	Offers fresh opportunity
No WAEC at all	A-Level or Polytechnic	Polytechnic accepts lower grades

14. Conclusion

Having a WAEC deficiency is not the end of your academic journey. Many Nigerian students face this challenge every year, and many still find their way into higher institutions.

To move forward:

Understand your deficiency
Choose the right solution (GCE, NECO, NABTEB, pre-degree, JUPEB, etc.)
Combine results if allowed
Use awaiting result wisely
Stay informed and follow deadlines

Whether you’re aiming for a university, polytechnic, or college of education, there’s always another door open.