GTEC Directs Tertiary Institutions to Stop Mandatory Entrance Exams for Admissions

By Yaw Opoku Amoako July 23, 2026

The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has directed all tertiary institutions to discontinue the practice of making entrance examinations a compulsory requirement for admission, stating that it contravenes Ghana’s approved admissions framework.

In a circular dated July 20, 2026, GTEC said the directive is aimed at promoting fairness, transparency and equal access to tertiary education while ensuring institutions comply with the country’s established admission policies.

The circular, signed by Director-General Prof. Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai and addressed to all tertiary institutions, noted that the Commission had observed with concern that some institutions were requiring applicants to pass entrance examinations before being considered for admission.

According to GTEC, this practice effectively replaces or overrides the nationally approved minimum entry requirements based on the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), contrary to existing policy.

“The Commission has noted with concern that some tertiary institutions are introducing entrance examinations that operate as preconditions for admission, effectively bypassing or superseding the minimum entry requirements based on WASSCE results. This practice is inconsistent with the national admissions framework and undermines equitable access to tertiary education,” the statement said.

The Commission therefore instructed all heads of tertiary institutions to ensure that admissions continue to be based on the prescribed minimum entry requirements, with WASSCE results remaining the primary qualification for admission into tertiary institutions.

However, GTEC clarified that entrance examinations may still be used in highly competitive programmes, but only as an additional assessment tool and not as a mandatory condition that overrides the minimum admission requirements.

It also directed any institution that has issued—or intends to issue—admission notices making entrance examinations compulsory to immediately withdraw such notices and align their admission processes with the applicable regulatory framework.

“The Commission respectfully requests that any institution which has issued, or intends to issue, admission notices requiring entrance examinations as a precondition for admission withdraw such notices and align its admission processes with the applicable regulatory framework,” GTEC stated.

The Commission further reminded universities and other tertiary institutions that, under the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023), it has the statutory authority to formulate and implement policies governing admission criteria for higher education institutions in Ghana.

GTEC emphasised that adherence to the national admissions framework is essential to ensuring equal opportunities for qualified applicants and maintaining consistency across the country’s tertiary education system.