The National Examinations Council, NECO, has officially released the timetable for the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination, BECE, also known as Junior WAEC.
The examination will run from Monday, 20 April 2026 to Thursday, 30 April 2026. For schools, parents, and candidates, this timetable sets the pace early; every paper now has a fixed date and time.
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 I: 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
What schools and candidates should note
NECO also listed key instructions for schools and candidates. These points are Official, and each one matters on the exam day.
- Every candidate must have a photocard for identification.
- Where the time on the question paper differs from the time on the timetable, the time on the question paper must be followed strictly.
- Practicals in Business Studies and Basic Science and Technology (BST) should be taken in sets where the number of candidates is large and equipment cannot go round.
- The practical examination should not go beyond 5:00 pm.
- 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 use the NECO-supplied OBR Customised Braille Sheet for the examination.
- Use of simple calculator is allowed.
- Electronic communication gadgets are banned in the examination hall. This includes programmable calculators, mobile phones, iPads, tablets, smart wrist watches, smart glasses, and smart pens