WAEC flags major weaknesses in 2025 WASSCE results

The Head of Public Relations at the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), John Kapi, has highlighted significant weaknesses in candidates’ performance in the 2025 WASSCE, particularly in Core Mathematics and Social Studies, based on reports from the Chief Examiners.

His comments follow a sharp decline in overall results and a surge in examination irregularities. Core Mathematics recorded the steepest drop in performance, with A1–C6 passes falling from 305,132 in 2024 to 209,068 in 202, a reduction of more than 96,000. With a pass rate of just 48.73%, more than half of the candidates failed to earn the grades required for tertiary admission.

Speaking on Channel One TV’s The Point of View with Bernard Avle on Monday, December 1, Mr. Kapi noted that the 2025 Core Mathematics paper was aligned with last year’s standard, suggesting that the decline was due to candidate weaknesses rather than exam difficulty.

He outlined seven key problem areas identified in Core Mathematics:

• Difficulty representing mathematical information using diagrams




• Inability to solve global mathematics-related problems




• Poor construction of cumulative frequency tables




• Weakness in drawing deductions from real-life situations




• Challenges with simple interest applications




• Inability to translate word problems into mathematical expressions




• Difficulty interpreting results from cumulative frequency data

For Social Studies, he said chief examiners found notable gaps in students’ understanding and analytical skills. Identified weaknesses included:

• Inability to explain government policies aimed at improving citizens’ lives




• Failure to articulate how expensive funerals hinder national development




• Weak discussions on forms of cooperation between Ghana and United Nations agencies

WAEC says these findings will inform future interventions targeted at improving teaching and learning across the country.