What Is WAEC GCE?
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The WAEC GCE is the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for private candidates. It’s the same exam as WAEC, but for those who are not in regular school or want to re-sit.
There are two WAEC GCE series each year:
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First Series (January/February)
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Second Series (August/September)
Who writes it?
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Students who failed WAEC before.
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Students who want to improve their grades.
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Adults or school leavers seeking admission.
WAEC GCE is a recognized qualification, just like the regular WAEC.
Can I Gain Admission with WAEC GCE in Nigeria 2025/2026?
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Yes, you can gain admission with your WAEC GCE result in Nigeria for the 2025/2026 academic session. GCE is accepted by most Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
As long as your GCE result is complete (with 5 credits including English and Mathematics), you are qualified to apply for admission through JAMB UTME or Direct Entry, just like WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB holders.
This includes:
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Federal universities
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State universities
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Private universities
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Polytechnics
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Colleges of education
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Specialized institutions (e.g., nursing schools)
So, yes, you can use WAEC GCE for admission in 2025/2026.
Difference Between WAEC and WAEC GCE
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| Feature | WAEC (School Exam) | WAEC GCE (Private Exam) |
|---|---|---|
| Who writes it | SS3 students in school | Private candidates / repeaters |
| Exam time | May/June | Jan/Feb and Aug/Sept |
| Supervision | By school and WAEC | By WAEC only |
| School uniform | Required | Not required |
| Result usage | Equal—both accepted for admission | Equal—used for admission |
| Stress level | Less stress | Can be more challenging |
| Registration process | Done by school | Self-registration online |
So, both WAEC and GCE carry the same weight academically. They are both WASSCE certificates.
WAEC GCE Admission Requirements in Nigerian Schools
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To use WAEC GCE for admission into any Nigerian tertiary institution, here are the basic requirements:
General Requirements:
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At least 5 credit passes in relevant subjects (Maths and English are compulsory).
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Credits must be obtained in not more than two sittings.
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You must also:
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Register for JAMB UTME
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Choose your preferred school(s)
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Participate in Post-UTME or Screening
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Example Course Requirements:
| Course | Required GCE Subjects |
|---|---|
| Medicine | English, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Maths |
| Engineering | English, Physics, Chemistry, Maths, Further Maths |
| Law | English, Literature, CRS/Government, History, Maths |
| Accounting | English, Economics, Maths, Commerce, Government |
Always check the JAMB brochure for exact subject combinations.
How to Use WAEC GCE Result for Admission – Step-by-Step
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Here is a complete step-by-step guide on how to gain admission with your WAEC GCE result in 2025/2026:
Step 1: Register for JAMB UTME
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Visit https://www.jamb.gov.ng
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Buy JAMB form and create your JAMB profile
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Choose course and institution
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Register for UTME
Step 2: Upload Your WAEC GCE Result
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After JAMB, login to your JAMB CAPS profile
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Click “Upload O’Level”
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Upload your GCE result when it is available
Step 3: Apply to Your Chosen School
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Go to the university/polytechnic website
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Register for Post-UTME or Screening
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Submit your GCE result and JAMB details
Step 4: Write Post-UTME (if applicable)
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Some schools require you to write an entrance exam
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Score high to improve your admission chances
Step 5: Monitor Your Admission on JAMB CAPS
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Login to JAMB CAPS regularly
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Accept or reject offers as they come
Step 6: Admission Letter & Registration
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Once admitted, print your JAMB admission letter
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Proceed to school portal for acceptance and course registration
Universities That Accept WAEC GCE
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Here are just a few Nigerian universities that accept WAEC GCE results:
Federal Universities:
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University of Lagos (UNILAG)
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University of Benin (UNIBEN)
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Ahmadu Bello University (ABU)
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University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN)
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University of Ibadan (UI)
State Universities:
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Lagos State University (LASU)
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Rivers State University (RSU)
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Ambrose Alli University (AAU)
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Ekiti State University (EKSU)
Private Universities:
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Covenant University
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Babcock University
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Afe Babalola University
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Bowen University
These universities treat GCE exactly like WAEC May/June.
Polytechnics and Colleges That Accept WAEC GCE
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Many polytechnics and colleges of education in Nigeria also accept WAEC GCE. Examples include:
Polytechnics:
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Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH)
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Federal Polytechnic Ilaro
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The Polytechnic Ibadan
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Auchi Polytechnic
Colleges of Education:
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Federal College of Education, Zaria
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Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo
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College of Education, Warri
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Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education
No difference is made between WAEC and GCE in these institutions.
Pros and Cons of Using GCE Result for Admission
Keywords: advantages and disadvantages of GCE
Pros (Advantages)
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Flexible – You can write it even after leaving school.
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Equal value – Treated the same as regular WAEC.
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Improves chances – You can combine results (2 sittings max).
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Retake opportunity – If you failed WAEC, you can use GCE.
Cons (Disadvantages)
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Extra cost – You have to pay for the GCE yourself.
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Late result timing – Some schools may close admission before results are released.
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No school support – You register and prepare on your own.
Real-Life Student Scenarios
Keywords: WAEC GCE admission examples, how others used GCE for admission
Scenario 1: Mariam’s Second Chance at University
Mariam failed Maths and Chemistry in her May/June WAEC. She wanted to study Nursing and needed all credits.
Instead of staying at home for a whole year, she registered for the WAEC GCE Second Series (Aug/Sept).
She passed both subjects and combined her May/June WAEC and her GCE results (2 sittings). She used them to apply to University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) in 2025.
After writing JAMB and scoring 243, she gained admission into Nursing.
Lesson: GCE gave her a second chance without wasting a full year.
Scenario 2: Chinedu – From Art Student to Law Aspirant
Chinedu graduated from secondary school in 2023 but didn’t do well in Literature-in-English and Government.
In 2024, he registered for WAEC GCE and focused on these two subjects. He passed them with B3 and A1.
He used his GCE result in 2025 to apply to LASU (Lagos State University) for Law.
He combined this with his old WAEC result and entered the Post-UTME screening. Today, he’s in 200-level studying Law.
Lesson: GCE allowed him to improve his grades and change his course path.
Scenario 3: Amina – GCE as Main Certificate
Amina never wrote WAEC in school. She left school in SS2 because of health issues. But in 2024, she studied at home and wrote WAEC GCE as her first and only O’level result.
She passed all required subjects and used the result to apply through JAMB in 2025.
Today, she’s studying Mass Communication at Babcock University.
Lesson: GCE can be used as a full substitute for WAEC; it’s a valid and accepted certificate.
Summary Table
| Topic | Key Points |
|---|---|
| What is WAEC GCE? | Private version of WAEC for non-school candidates. Held twice a year. |
| Can GCE be used for admission? | Yes. Accepted by all Nigerian tertiary institutions. |
| Difference from WAEC | Same certificate, but GCE is for private candidates. |
| Requirements | At least 5 credits, including English and Maths, not more than 2 sittings. |
| How to use GCE for admission | Register JAMB, upload result, apply to school, write Post-UTME, get admitted. |
| Accepted by | Federal/state/private universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. |
| Pros | Flexible, equal value, allows resit or improvement. |
| Cons | More effort needed, can be costly, results may delay. |
| Real-life examples | Students improved WAEC, changed courses, or used GCE as sole qualification. |
Top 10+ FAQs About Admission with WAEC GCE
Here are the most common questions Nigerian students ask about gaining admission with WAEC GCE:
Can I gain admission into university with GCE only?
Yes, as long as you have 5 credits including English and Mathematics, your GCE result can be used alone for admission.
Is WAEC GCE accepted in all Nigerian universities?
Yes. Federal, state, and private universities all accept WAEC GCE results for JAMB and Post-UTME.
Can I combine GCE with WAEC or NECO?
Yes. Most schools allow combining results from two sittings. Example: WAEC + GCE, GCE + NECO, etc.
Can I use GCE result for polytechnic or college of education?
Yes. Polytechnics and Colleges accept GCE just like WAEC or NECO.
Is GCE harder than WAEC?
Not really, but it may feel harder because you’re studying on your own without school support.
When should I write GCE if I want to gain admission in 2025?
Write the First Series (Jan/Feb) or Second Series (Aug/Sept) of 2025 to meet admission timelines.
How long does it take for WAEC GCE results to come out?
Usually 45 days after the exam ends. Plan wisely to avoid missing admission deadlines.
Can I gain admission without WAEC if I have only GCE?
Yes. GCE is the same as WAEC. It is WASSCE for private candidates and is fully accepted.
Do I need to wear school uniform to write GCE?
No. GCE is for private candidates. You do not need school uniform or school ID.
Can I gain admission with GCE if I failed Maths or English?
No. Most schools require credit in both English and Maths. If you failed, write again.
Is GCE result valid for life?
Yes. Like WAEC and NECO, GCE results do not expire.
Can I get scholarship with a GCE result?
Yes. Scholarships are based on performance. If your GCE grades are high, you qualify just like other students.
Conclusion
So, can you gain admission with WAEC GCE in Nigeria 2025/2026? The answer is a clear YES.
GCE is not a lesser certificate. It is equal in value to the normal WAEC written in schools. With good grades in your GCE result:
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You can register for JAMB.
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Apply to any university, polytechnic, or college.
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Write Post-UTME or attend screening.
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Gain full admission into any course you’re qualified for.
It doesn’t matter whether you wrote GCE because you failed WAEC, wanted to improve your result, or studied on your own. What matters is that you pass the required subjects and follow the right steps.
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