WAEC has very good and scary reasons for the introduction of the “Cancelled/Withheld” button on the BECE Result Portal. Before your heart misses a beat, find out the likely reasons.
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has introduced a new “Cancelled/Withheld” button on the official BECE result portal. This is the first time WAEC has added such a feature to the homepage of its result-checking system.
For many candidates, especially those who were invited by WAEC for investigations to suspected examination malpractice, this new addition raises serious concerns.
Why Has WAEC Introduced the Cancelled/Withheld Button on the BECE Result Portal?
Although WAEC has not officially explained the reason behind the new button, education analysts and experts at BECEPrep believe one or more of the following factors may be responsible:
Quick Access for Affected Students: Students whose results cannot be accessed on the main portal may now check the Cancelled/Withheld section to see if their index numbers, names, and related offences are listed there.
High Number of Withheld Results: The inclusion of this button may suggest that a large number of candidates fall into the withheld or cancelled category in 2025.
Transparency and Easy Navigation: WAEC may be introducing this feature to make it easier for affected students to confirm their status without confusion.
Whatever the reason, the presence of a Cancelled/Withheld button on the BECE result portal is a red flag and signals that many candidates may face challenges when the 2025 results are finally released.
Who Could Be Affected?
Earlier this year, WAEC invited thousands of school and private BECE candidates to assist in investigations into suspected mass cheating. While many of these candidates are already aware that their results may be at risk, the new button suggests that additional students who were not part of the initial list could also be affected once results are published.
Implications for Students with Grade 9 in Core Subjects
In a related development, students who obtain Grade 9 in Mathematics or English Language in the 2025 BECE will not be placed in any of the public or private senior high schools under the Free SHS programme.
READ: WAEC is about to release 2025 BECE result – See Our Evidence
Such students may have to:
Consider alternative private school options.
Re-sit the BECE in 2026, pass, and then reapply for placement into public senior high schools.
When the results are out, the real reason(s) behind the BECE Cancelled/Withheld Results Button will be revealed.
The introduction of the Cancelled/Withheld button on WAEC’s BECE result portal is unprecedented and could signal serious consequences for many candidates. Students and parents are advised to prepare for all possible outcomes and follow official WAEC communications closely once the results go live.