-In 2026 WASSCE
By: Jessica Cox
MONROVIA – The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Liberia Office has released the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results, with Mathematics recording an 82.5 percent pass rate while Literature-in-English posted the lowest performance among core subjects.
The results, officially released Thursday, August 20, came six days after the originally scheduled date of August 14. WAEC Liberia Head Dale Gbotoe apologized for the delay, attributing it to circumstances beyond the council’s control.
A total of 54,135 candidates sat for Mathematics, with 44,671 earning passing grades. Economics followed closely with a 78.96 percent pass rate, while Geography recorded 78.62 percent. English Language posted a 75.62 percent pass rate, with 42,036 of 55,592 candidates passing.
In the sciences, Chemistry recorded 75.24 percent, Physics 71.99 percent, and Biology 70.37 percent. History registered a 74.17 percent pass rate.
However, Literature-in-English recorded a 31.98 percent pass rate, the lowest among the highlighted subjects. Only 16,505 of 51,606 candidates obtained passing grades—fewer than one in three.
In contrast, technical and vocational disciplines achieved a perfect 100 percent pass rate across all subjects, including Auto Mechanics, Blocklaying and Concrete Works, Plumbing and Pipefitting, Technical Drawing, and Welding and Fabrication Engineering Craft Practice.
Gbotoe used the results to encourage secondary schools to strengthen vocational and technical education, aligning with government efforts to equip Liberian students with practical skills.
The briefing also provided updates on the 2026 National Assessment Test for third-grade pupils. In literacy, 28,303 candidates passed, with 8,807 receiving ordinary passes out of 38,987 test-takers. Numeracy saw 36,571 successful candidates out of 38,266.
Officials noted an overall improvement in performance compared to previous years, though some verbal figures contained inconsistencies. WAEC officials emphasized that detailed statistical tables will be crucial for final confirmation.
The release of results provides schools, students, and parents with critical information for admissions, academic planning, and post-secondary decisions.
WAEC, established in 1952, is responsible for administering examinations in English-speaking West African countries, including Liberia.
