WAEC GCE 2027 Timetable: What Is Known for Private Candidates
WAEC has not announced a 2027 GCE timetable. See how the 2026 First and Second Series ran, what changed for private candidates and where to confirm dates.
ExamPadi Editorial · Updated · 6 min read
"GCE" is the name many Nigerians still use for the WASSCE taken by private candidates, meaning people who are not sitting it through a school. If you are planning a resit or you left school without the results you need, you may be searching for the WAEC GCE 2027 timetable.
The honest answer is that WAEC has not published one yet. We found no official 2027 GCE notice on the WAEC Nigeria site as at 29 October 2026, and the proposed national calendar for 2027 does not include private-candidate series. What we can show is how the 2026 series ran, so you know roughly what to look out for.
What is confirmed and what is not
| Item | 2027 status |
|---|---|
| First Series (private candidates) dates | Not announced |
| Second Series (private candidates) dates | Not announced |
| Registration windows and fees | Not announced |
| Included in the proposed 2027 harmonised calendar | No |
The 2026 series for reference
The details below come from press and education-site reports, not from a WAEC page we could open, so treat them as a guide to the pattern and confirm anything you rely on with WAEC.
| Series | Reported 2026 details |
|---|---|
| First Series | Computer-based exam, reported between 28 January and 14 February 2026, at 166 centres. 10,480 candidates sat it. |
| First Series results | Reported out in late March 2026. 32.72% of candidates (3,429) got credits in at least five subjects including English Language and Mathematics. |
| Second Series registration | Opened 4 May 2026. Deadline reported as 31 July 2026; check the portal for any extension. |
| Second Series fee | Reported as N37,000. Confirm on the portal. |
| Second Series exam | Timetable coverage lists 4 September as the first activity (written papers from 22 September) and 28 October 2026 as the last papers. The registration report describes the series as fully computer-based. |
Two lessons from this table. First, dates can move, so always check the portal for extensions. Second, the format has shifted to computer-based testing for private candidates, so you should expect to practise on a screen.
How to find the official 2027 notice
- Visit waecnigeria.org and open the registration section for private candidates. WAEC's site lists "WASSCE for Private Candidates" in its registration menu.
- Look for the registration notice. It will give the registration window, the fee, the format and the examination period.
- Download the timetable once you have registered. In 2026, the printable subject timetable was released as a PDF.
- Never rely on a screenshot sent through WhatsApp. Go to the website.
Who sits GCE, and what to do now
Private candidates are typically people resitting subjects, people who need English Language or Mathematics credits for university or polytechnic admission, and people who prefer a second chance after missing a target grade. If that is you, here is a sensible plan while you wait for the notice:
- Work out exactly which subjects you need. Your target course will state the credits it asks for, so do not register for subjects you do not need.
- Find your weak topics. Resits fail most often on the same few topics, so spend your time there.
- Practise on a computer. If the exam is computer-based, as the 2026 series was reported to be, get used to a timer and a screen.
- Budget early. The fee reported for the 2026 Second Series was N37,000, though you should treat it as a reference only.
Do not confuse school candidates with private candidates
The proposed WASSCE window of 11 May to 18 June 2027 applies to school candidates. It is a separate sitting. Read our WAEC 2027 timetable guide for that.
NECO also runs a GCE series, usually in November and December, for external candidates. We cover it in the NECO GCE 2027 timetable page. If you are considering both, the 2027 exam calendar shows what is and is not announced.
A warning about "guaranteed" results
Private candidates are a favourite target for scammers who promise to "arrange" a result or sell questions. Registration is done by you, online, through WAEC's own portal. No agent can change a grade, and attempts to do so can lead to your results being cancelled and you being barred. Study is the only route that lasts.
Checklist before you register for any private-candidate series
| Check | Why |
|---|---|
| Which series is open (First or Second)? | The two series have separate registration windows |
| What is the exact fee on the portal? | Press-reported fees are only a guide |
| Is the exam computer-based? | It changes how you should practise |
| Is your NIN and personal data ready? | Errors are slow to correct once you have paid |
| Which subjects does your target course need? | Do not pay for papers you do not need |
Common mistakes
- Waiting for the final week. Servers get busy near deadlines, and extensions are never guaranteed.
- Using a blog's dates as fact. Go to the portal.
- Paying an "agent". Registration is something you do online yourself. An agent adds cost and risk.
- Skipping computer practice. If the paper is on a screen, you need practice with a mouse, a timer and on-screen navigation.
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Practise WAEC subjects on ExamPadi and check waecnigeria.org for the 2027 GCE announcement.
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Practise WAEC questions freeFrequently asked questions
Has WAEC released the GCE 2027 timetable?
No. As at 29 October 2026 we found no official WAEC GCE (private candidates) timetable for 2027. Check waecnigeria.org, where WAEC publishes registration notices and timetables.
When was the WAEC GCE First Series in 2026?
Press reports put the 2026 First Series, a computer-based exam for private candidates, between 28 January and 14 February 2026.
Is the WAEC GCE computer-based?
Reports on the 2026 First and Second Series describe them as computer-based. Confirm the format for 2027 in WAEC's registration notice before you pay.
Is the GCE part of the proposed 2027 harmonised calendar?
No. The proposal covers the main sittings of JAMB, NECO, WAEC, NABTEB and NBAIS. It does not list GCE or private-candidate series.