WAEC Grading System: Full Grade Table and Interpretation
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) uses a nine-point grading scale for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). Grades range from A1 (Excellent) to F9 (Fail). Each grade corresponds to a percentage band and carries a specific point value used by Nigerian universities for admission screening.
Under the WAEC Marking and Grading Scheme, the letters A to F indicate the quality of a result, while the numbers 1 to 9 rank the grades. To achieve an A1 in a subject, a candidate must score at least 75%. The table below outlines every grade, its percentage range, interpretation, and the points universities assign when calculating the O'Level aggregate score.
- A1 (75–100%): Excellent – 8 points
- B2 (70–74%): Very Good – 7 points
- B3 (65–69%): Good – 6 points
- C4 (60–64%): Credit – 5 points
- C5 (55–59%): Credit – 4 points
- C6 (50–54%): Credit – 3 points
- D7 (45–49%): Pass – 0 points
- E8 (40–44%): Pass – 0 points
- F9 (0–39%): Fail – 0 points
Grades D7, E8, and F9 are not accepted by any Nigerian university for admission and therefore carry zero points.
Credits vs. Passes: The Critical Distinction for University Admission
Universities consider only credit-level passes (A1 to C6) when evaluating admission eligibility. Pass grades (D7 and E8) do not count as credits. A student with five C6 grades meets the five-credit requirement, while a student with five D7 grades does not, despite having passed all subjects. D7 is a weak pass scored between 45% and 49%, below the credit threshold of C6 at 50%.
According to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), candidates must have at least five credit passes, including English Language and Mathematics, earned in not more than two sittings. This requirement is strictly enforced by all Nigerian universities.
What Grade Is 60% in WAEC?
A score of 60–64% earns a C4 (Credit). This is the lowest of the three credit grades at the 60–64% threshold. A score of exactly 60% therefore results in a C4, which is a valid credit for admission purposes.
Is C6 a Good Grade in WAEC?
C6 is a valid credit and accepted by most universities. However, for competitive courses at premier universities, C6 is considered relatively weak. While C4, C5, and C6 all denote credit, C4 is closer to a strong pass. For courses like Medicine, Law, and Engineering, universities typically require mostly distinctions (A1) and very good grades (B2, B3).
How to Calculate WAEC Grades into a University Aggregate Score
Most Nigerian universities use WAEC results to determine a student's total aggregate for admission. WAEC O'Level results account for 40% of the total admission score. The point breakdown is: A1 = 8%, B2 = 7%, B3 = 6%, C4 = 5%, C5 = 4%, C6 = 3%. Five A1s produce a maximum O'Level score of 40%, while five C6s produce only 15%.
To calculate your O'Level aggregate:
- Identify your best five WAEC grades in the subjects required for your course.
- Assign each grade its point value using the table above.
- Add the five point values together to get your total O'Level score (maximum 40).
- Add your JAMB score contribution – JAMB scores are typically divided by 8 to produce the remaining 50% of your aggregate (the exact formula varies by institution).
- Compare with your chosen university's cut-off for your specific course.
Strong WAEC results improve your profile even if JAMB scores are moderate, and vice versa.
What Does "Outstanding" Mean in a WAEC Result?
When a candidate sees "outstanding" on their WAEC result, it means the result for that subject is temporarily unavailable due to technical processing issues. This differs from "withheld" or "held," which usually involve examination malpractice or disciplinary investigations. An outstanding result often indicates that the candidate did not supply correct information on their script, such as an incorrect examination number, centre number, or name. Missing scripts or incomplete marking can also trigger the status. WAEC has confirmed that outstanding results will be released after the errors are corrected.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many points is A1 in WAEC? A1 carries 8 points, corresponding to a score of 75–100% and interpreted as Excellent.
How many points is D7 in WAEC? D7 carries zero points and is not accepted for admission. It is a weak pass scored between 45% and 49%.
Can I gain university admission with D7 or E8 grades? No. D7 and E8 grades do not meet the credit requirement for most Nigerian degree programmes. A few polytechnics and Colleges of Education may accept E8 in non-core subjects, but generally, these grades are insufficient.
What happens if I fail a subject in WAEC? Universities allow two sittings. A candidate may obtain four credits in the main WAEC and one credit through WAEC GCE, NECO, or NABTEB in a second sitting. Results from three or more sittings disqualify a candidate from admission.
When are WAEC results released? WAEC released the May/June 2025 WASSCE results on 4 August 2025, about 45 days after the last paper. The 2026 WASSCE results are expected around August 2026. WAEC GCE (Nov/Dec) results usually drop in late January or early February.
