Each year, when the West African Examination Council (WAEC) releases BECE or WASSCE results, it uses the codes to help interpret results.
Every year, thousands of BECE candidates check their WAEC results online — only to be greeted by strange status codes instead of grades. You might see letters like P, W, NR, or INC in place of an A1 or B3 or 1 and 2 and wonder what went wrong
The codes or symbols of interest in this post are very worrying and can give students heart attacks and even make them weep bitterly for several days. WAEC has unique codes or symbols and meanings for whatever you find on your result slip against each subject you write.
Where the BECE or WASSCE results of a candidate have no issues at the Basic school for instance, the codes displayed against each subject will be numbers from 1 to 9 called ‘grades’. These numbers indicate the performance of the candidate in each subject. In the case of BECE, 1 is the best grade, while 9 is the worst grade. For WASSCE, the best grade is A1, while the worst is F9.
WAEC BECE Result Status Codes and Their Meanings
What are the BECE and WASSCE results status codes that make students cry?
The above grades are just one set of many grade codes and interpretations used by WAEC. Let us look at the very painful, disturbing codes that, if placed on your result, can be very disturbing.
In all, there are 12 of such codes, as explained below.
These codes are not random; they tell you the status of your result and, in some cases, the action you need to take. In this guide, we will explain each WAEC BECE result status code, give examples, and suggest what to do next if you see them.
P – Pending
Meaning: WAEC is still processing or investigating your script.
Example: You wrote BECE Integrated Science but see “P” instead of your grade.
What to Do: Wait patiently. It may be due to delays in marking, scanning issues, or script verification. Results can be updated within days or weeks.
X / ABS – Absent
Meaning: You did not write that paper.
Example: You missed the BECE ICT paper because you were sick; WAEC marks you as “X” or “ABS”.
What to Do: If this is incorrect, contact your school immediately with proof that you were present (attendance sheet). If correct, you cannot get marks for that paper.
W – Withheld
Meaning: WAEC suspects malpractice in your exam.
Example: Your BECE English result is marked “W” because invigilators reported copying.
What to Do: WAEC will investigate. If you are cleared, your result will be released; if found guilty, it will be cancelled.
F – Failed / Cancelled
Meaning: You completely failed, or the result was cancelled.
Example: You scored extremely low in BECE Mathematics, leading to “F”.
What to Do: If you believe it’s a mistake, request a result review through your school — but note that cancellation for malpractice cannot be reversed.
INC – Incomplete
Meaning: A section of your exam is missing.
Example: You wrote WASSCE Home Economics, but your practical work was not submitted to WAEC.
What to Do: Contact your school to verify if the missing work can still be submitted or if it was lost.
NR – No Result
Meaning: WAEC has cancelled your result due to serious irregularities.
Example: Your centre was caught in mass cheating; WAEC nullifies all results.
What to Do: Sadly, “NR” usually means retaking the exam the following year.
Z – Centre Issue
Meaning: WAEC found a problem with your exam centre.
Example: The centre used unapproved question papers, or a candidate has two different index numbers for the same exam in different centres.
What to Do: Wait for WAEC’s decision; they may release results later or cancel them entirely.
INDEBTED – Fees Owed
Meaning: Your school owes WAEC exam fees.
Example: Your school didn’t pay the full BECE fees; WAEC blocks all results from that school.
What to Do: Speak to your school administration; results are released once payment is made.
OMR – Objective Marking Error
Meaning: Problem with your multiple-choice answer sheet.
Example: The scanner could not read your BECE Science objective answers due to wrong shading.
What to Do: WAEC will re-check your OMR sheet manually; the correct grade will be posted later.
TBA – To Be Announced
Meaning: The grade will be released later.
Example: WAEC delays BECE ICT results because of technical issues.
What to Do: Just wait; this is often resolved quickly.
READ: Buy 2025 BECE Result Checker With Momo on Phone Here
CAN – Cancelled
Meaning: The subject or entire result has been cancelled by WAEC.
Example: A teacher leaked BECE Social Studies questions; WAEC cancels that paper for all candidates at the centre.
What to Do: Unfortunately, cancelled results cannot be restored.
What to Do if You Have a Problem with Your BECE Result
- Contact your school first – Many result issues are resolved faster through your school.
- Keep your index number and exam details ready – WAEC will need these for verification.
- Be patient – Some codes (like P or OMR) simply mean your script is under review.
- Avoid middlemen – Only WAEC and your school can fix result issues; beware of scammers.
Seeing a WAEC BECE result status code instead of your grades can be stressful, but most are temporary and can be resolved. Always follow official channels for clarification, and remember — your result slip is only final once all codes are cleared.
TAKE A FREE BECE QUIZ HERE