2026 NECO BECE Timetable & Grading System

When will the 2026 Junior WAEC/BECE Examination Start?

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has officially released the timetable for the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), also popularly called Junior WAEC in Nigeria.

According to the official schedule, the examination will begin on Monday, 20th April 2026 and end on Thursday, 30th April 2026.

Below is the full timetable in a clean, date-by-date format, including paper codes, subjects, durations, times, and important notes for schools and candidates.

Monday, 20 April

Paper III: Practical: Business Studies, 20 mins, 10:00 am to 10:20 am

Tuesday, 21 April

Paper II: Computer Practical: Basic Science and Technology (BST), 45 mins, 10:00 am to 10:45 am

Wednesday, 22 April

Paper IV: Drawing: Basic Science and Technology (BST), 45 mins, 10:00 am to 10:45 am
Paper III: Practical: Cultural and Creative Arts (CCA), 1 hr, 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Thursday, 23 April

Paper I: Objective: History, 1 hr, 10:00 am to 11:00 am
Paper II: Objective: History, 1 hr, 11:00 am to 12:00 noon
Paper I: Objective: Hausa L1, 1 hr, 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Paper I: Objective: Igbo L1, 1 hr, 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Paper I: Objective: Yoruba L1, 1 hr, 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Paper I: Objective: Hausa L2, 1 hr, 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Paper I: Objective: Igbo L2, 1 hr, 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Paper I: Objective: Yoruba L2, 1 hr, 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Paper II: Objective: Hausa L1, 1 hr, 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Paper II: Objective: Igbo L1, 1 hr, 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Paper II: Objective: Yoruba L1, 1 hr, 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Friday, 24 April

Paper I: Objective: Christian Religious Studies, 1 hr, 10:00 am to 11:00 am
Paper I: Objective: Islamic Studies, 1 hr, 10:00 am to 11:00 am
Paper II: Objective: Christian Religious Studies, 1 hr, 11:00 am to 12:00 noon
Paper II: Objective: Islamic Studies, 1 hr, 11:00 am to 12:00 noon

Saturday, 25 April

Paper I: Objective: Mathematics, 1 hr 20 mins, 10:00 am to 11:20 am
Paper II: Objective: Mathematics, 1 hr 20 mins, 11:20 am to 12:40 pm
Paper III: Essay: Mathematics, 40 mins, 2:30 pm to 3:10 pm

Monday, 27 April

Paper I: Objective: Cultural and Creative Arts (CCA), 1 hr, 10:00 am to 11:00 am
Paper II: Objective: Cultural and Creative Arts (CCA), 1 hr, 11:00 am to 12:00 noon
Paper I: Objective: Business Studies, 1 hr, 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Paper II: Objective: Business Studies, 1 hr, 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Tuesday, 28 April

Paper I: Objective: Basic Science and Technology (BST), 1 hr, 10:00 am to 11:00 am
Paper II: Objective: Basic Science and Technology (BST), 1 hr, 11:00 am to 12:00 noon
Paper I: Objective: Pre-Vocational Studies (PVS), 1 hr, 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Paper II: Objective: Pre-Vocational Studies (PVS), 1 hr, 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Wednesday, 29 April

Paper I: Objective: English Studies, 1 hr 20 mins, 10:00 am to 11:20 am
Paper II: Objective: English Studies, 40 mins, 11:20 am to 12:00 noon
Paper III: Essay: English Studies, 45 mins, 1:15 pm to 2:00 pm
Paper I: Objective: Arabic Language, 1 hr, 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Paper II: Objective: Arabic Language, 1 hr, 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Thursday, 30 April

Paper I: Objective: National Values Education (NVE), 1 hr, 10:00 am to 11:00 am
Paper II: Objective: National Values Education (NVE), 1 hr, 11:00 am to 12:00 noon
Paper I: Objective: French Language, 1 hr, 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Paper II: Objective: French Language, 1 hr, 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Schools and Candidates Should Note the Following:

It is mandatory that each candidate has a photocard for identification.
Where the time on the question paper differs from the time on this timetable, the time on the question paper should be strictly adhered to.
Practicals in Business Studies as well as Basic Science & Technology (BST) should be in sets where the number of candidates is large and the equipment cannot go round. However, the practical examination should not exceed 5.00 p.m. Computers can be used for Business Studies.
Albinos and Blind Candidates are to be given 30 mins extra time in all subjects.
Blind Candidates must make use of NECO-supplied OBR Customised Braille Sheet for the Examination.
Use of simple calculator is allowed.
Bringing into the examination hall electronic communication gadgets (programmable calculators, mobile phones, iPads, tablets, smart wrist watches/glasses/pens etc) is strictly prohibited.

BECE Grading System:

The Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) grading system shows how candidates’ scores are classified after the examination. The grading structure is as follows: