What are serialised papers in WAEC exams?

Serialised papers are examination question papers with the same set of questions but arranged in different orders for each candidate. This method is used to reduce cheating during exams.

What mistake did WAEC Nigeria make in the 2025 WASSCE?

WAEC Nigeria mismatched question numbers and answer keys during the marking of serialised papers. This caused correct answers to be marked as wrong, leading to mass failures and grading discrepancies.

Did WAEC Ghana use serialised papers in the 2025 BECE?

Yes. WAEC Ghana used serialised papers in subjects such as Religious and Moral Education and Science during the 2025 BECE.

How can WAEC Ghana avoid Nigeria’s mistakes?

WAEC Ghana can prevent similar marking errors by: Training examiners thoroughly on handling serialised papers; ensuring correct mapping of answer keys to question numbers; and conducting rigorous quality control checks before result release.

What would happen if WAEC Ghana makes marking errors?

Mistakes in marking could delay the BECE results release, disrupt the school placement process, reduce public trust, and affect thousands of students’ academic progression.

When will the 2025 BECE results be released?

WAEC Ghana has not announced an official date yet, but results are typically released within 45–60 days after the last paper.

Who manages the BECE school placement process?

The BECE school placement is managed by the Ministry of Education through the Free SHS Secretariat, using the Computerized School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS).

GES Releases 2025/2026 SHS Academic Calendar -Check Here

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has taken a proactive step by releasing the official academic calendar for the 2025/2026 academic year for all Senior High and Senior High Technical Schools (SHS/SHTS). This crucial information arrives ahead of the release of the 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) results, providing parents, guardians, and students with ample time to prepare for the upcoming academic journey.

For the cohort of students who sat for the BECE from Wednesday, $1 1^{t h}$ June to Wednesday, $1 8^{t h}$ June 2025, this calendar is your first official guide to life in Senior High School. According to the schedule, you will be expected to report to your respective schools as SHS 1 students in October 2025.

This early release demonstrates a commitment to structured planning and allows all stakeholders to prepare adequately for a smooth academic year. Below, we provide a detailed, authoritative breakdown of the key dates from the official GES documents.

GES Releases 2025/2026 SHS Academic Calendar -All The Dates And Facts

Key Reopening Dates at a Glance

Before diving into the full calendars, here are the most immediate dates to mark:

SHS 3 Re-opening: $1 1^{t h}$ October, 2025
SHS 1 & 2 (Single Track) Re-opening: $1 8^{t h}$ October, 2025
Christmas Break (All Students): $2 0^{t h}$ December, 2025 – $4^{t h}$ January, 2026

Detailed Breakdown: 2025/2026 Single Track Academic Calendar

Schools running the single-track system will adhere to the following schedule:

SHS Form 3

First Semester: $1 1^{t h}$ Oct., 2025 – $2 7^{t h}$ Feb., 2026 (18 Weeks)
Break: $2 8^{t h}$ Feb., 2026 – $1 2^{t h}$ March, 2026
Second Semester: $1 3^{t h}$ March, 2026 – $2 1^{s t}$ June, 2026 (14 Weeks)
WASSCE Period: $2 0^{t h}$ April – $2 0^{t h}$ June, 2026

SHS Form 2

First Semester: $1 8^{t h}$ Oct., 2025 – $2 7^{t h}$ Feb., 2026 (17 Weeks)
Break: $2 8^{t h}$ Feb., 2026 – $3^{r d}$ May, 2026
Second Semester: $4^{t h}$ May, 2026 – $2 1^{s t}$ Aug., 2026 (16 Weeks)
END OF ACADEMIC YEAR

SHS Form 1 (2025 BECE Candidates)

First Semester: $1 8^{t h}$ Oct., 2025 – $2 7^{t h}$ Feb., 2026 (17 Weeks)
Break: $2 8^{t h}$ Feb., 2026 – $3^{r d}$ May, 2026
Second Semester: $4^{t h}$ May, 2026 – $2 1^{s t}$ Aug., 2026 (16 Weeks)
END OF ACADEMIC YEAR

Detailed Breakdown: 2025/2026 Transitional Academic Calendar

This calendar applies to schools on the transitional schedule, which includes a blend of in-person and remote learning.

SHS Form 3

First Semester: $2 7^{t h}$ Oct., 2025 – $1 3^{t h}$ Feb., 2026 (14 Weeks)
Break: Begins from $1^{s t}$ April, 2026
Second Semester: $1 4^{t h}$ Feb., 2026 – $2 1^{s t}$ June, 2026 (18 Weeks)
WASSCE Period: $2 0^{t h}$ April – $2 0^{t h}$ June, 2026

SHS Form 2

First Semester: $5^{t h}$ Jan., 2026 – $1 7^{t h}$ April, 2026 (15 Weeks, with 5 weeks online)
Break: $1 8^{t h}$ April, 2026 – $1 7^{t h}$ May, 2026
Second Semester: $1 8^{t h}$ May, 2026 – $4^{t h}$ Sept., 2026 (16 Weeks)
END OF ACADEMIC YEAR

SHS Form 1 (2025 BECE Candidates)

First Semester: $1 8^{t h}$ Oct., 2025 – $3 0^{t h}$ Jan., 2026 (9 weeks onsite, 4 weeks offsite)
Break: $3 1^{s t}$ Jan., 2026 – $1 5^{t h}$ Mar., 2026
Second Semester: $1 6^{t h}$ March, 2026 – $1 2^{t h}$ June, 2026 (9 weeks onsite, 4 weeks offsite)
Final Term: $3^{r d}$ July, 2026 – $4^{t h}$ Sept., 2026 (9 Weeks)
END OF ACADEMIC YEAR

READ:2025 BECE graduates SHS1 reopening date released by GES ahead of BECE results

What This Means for 2025 BECE Candidates

The release of this calendar is excellent news. It provides a clear timeline for your transition into senior high school. With a reporting date set for $1 8^{t h}$ October, 2025, you and your parents have a definite period to work with for financial and logistical planning.

While you await your BECE results and the subsequent school placements, you can use this time to gather your provisions and prepare mentally for this exciting new chapter.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. When are the 2025 BECE candidates (new SHS 1 students) reporting to school? According to both the Single Track and Transitional calendars released by the GES, new SHS 1 students are expected to report to school on Saturday, $1 8^{t h}$ October, 2025.

2. Have the 2025 BECE results been released? No. As of the publication of this calendar, the 2025 BECE results have not yet been released by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC). The GES has released the academic calendar ahead of the results to facilitate early planning.

3. What is the official date for the 2026 WASSCE? The West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for the 2026 batch is scheduled to take place from $2 0^{t h}$ April, 2026 to $2 0^{t h}$ June, 2026.

4. What is the difference between the Single Track and Transitional Calendars? The Single Track calendar is the traditional school schedule where all students are in school at the same time. The Transitional calendar is part of the phasing out of the double-track system and incorporates a mix of onsite (in-person) and offsite/online learning periods to manage student numbers.

5. When will the 2026/2027 academic year begin? The GES has proposed that the 2026/2027 academic year will commence on Thursday, $1 1^{t h}$ September, 2026.

Stay tuned for more updates on the release of the BECE results and the school placement process.

About the Author – BECEPrep Educational Research Team

The BECEPrep Educational Research Team specializes in delivering authoritative education news, research, and insights on Ghana’s academic sector. Our mission is to provide credible and timely updates that meet standards, ensuring parents, students, and educators access reliable information.

Source: BECEPrep.com

GES Releases 2025/2026 SHS Academic Calendar Ahead of BECE Results

GES Releases 2025/2026 SHS Academic Calendar -All The Dates And Facts

Key Reopening Dates at a Glance

Detailed Breakdown: 2025/2026 Single Track Academic Calendar

SHS Form 3

SHS Form 2

SHS Form 1 (2025 BECE Candidates)

Detailed Breakdown: 2025/2026 Transitional Academic Calendar

SHS Form 3

SHS Form 2

SHS Form 1 (2025 BECE Candidates)

What This Means for 2025 BECE Candidates

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

About the Author – BECEPrep Educational Research Team

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