How to prepare for WASSCE exams?

Key takeaways

• Begin your WASSCE preparations early and follow a study plan based on the WAEC syllabus.
• Break subjects into manageable topics, set daily study targets, solve past questions, and use available tools.
• Stay focused and disciplined by avoiding distractions, cramming, and over-reliance on apor.

To pass your WASSCE, you need a clear plan, preparation, and discipline. Whether you aim for straight As or just hope to pass all your subjects, we’ll show you how to prepare practically and improve your chances of success.

What is the WASSCE exam?

The West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) is a standardised test conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC). It is a final-year exam for secondary school students in English-speaking West African countries.

The exam assesses core and elective subjects and is crucial in determining university admissions, scholarships, and career opportunities.

To pass the WASSCE, you must score between A1 and E8. However, most tertiary institutions in Ghana require at least a credit pass (C6 or higher) in all subjects to gain admission.

Why is exam preparation necessary?

Success in WASSCE doesn’t come by chance. You must be intentional about your preparation. Students who perform well often begin studying months in advance using the WAEC syllabus and solving past questions.

Starting preparation early helps you:

• Manage your time wisely
• Cover all topics thoroughly
• Identify and improve weak areas.

It’s important to note that many students fail WASSCE not because they’re not intelligent, but because they lack a clear, consistent study plan or do not start preparation early enough.

How to study for WASSCE?

Here’s how to study and prepare effectively for the WAEC exam. We’ll use Ama, an example final-year student at Aburi Girls’ Senior High School to make this more pactical.

Step #1: Know your timeframe

The first step in preparing for the WASSCE and any other exam is to note how much time you have. Look at the calendar and count the days or weeks until your exam begins.

The more weeks you have to prepare, the better. For example, if your exam is in August, you should aim to start your revision by January. That might sound early, but starting ahead gives you plenty of time to go through the syllabus comfortably without stressing out at the last minute.

Step #2: List all your subjects

Now that you know how much time you have till the exam starts, write down every subject you’ll take in the WAEC examination and rank them by your strengths and weaknesses.

Once you’re done ranking your subjects, break them down into topics using the WAEC syllabus (e.g., Probability in Core Maths or Respiration in Biology) to make your study plan more manageable.

Step #3: Set daily study targets

With the list of subjects you have now, you can set daily targets.

The key here is to ensure your daily targets fit around your schedule. Think about school hours, chores in the dormitory or at home, extra classes and lessons, rest time, etc., and plan your targets around the time you truly have.

It’s better to study for one focused hour daily than to plan for five and not be able to study for all five hours or rush through the subjects.

Step #4: Create a study plan

Knowing your subjects and how much time you have each day, it’s time to build a simple study plan.

This is like a weekly timetable that helps you stay organised and focused, so you don’t forget what you have to study that day.

Your study plan should show:

• What subjects you’ll study on each day
• When you’ll do revision or practice past questions
• Time for breaks, rest, and fun

Step #5: Start studying

Now that your plan is ready, it’s time to start studying. Make sure you understand what you’re learning and use all the resources available to you to make the process easier.

One of the best ways to learn is to teach someone else. You can explain a topic to your friends, form a small study group after prep, or even pretend you’re teaching in front of a class. Talking out loud helps you remember better.

You can also talk to yourself while studying. Say your notes out loud or try to explain a topic without looking at your book. If you get stuck, go back and check.

Choosing the best time of day when you can focus is also important. Some students prefer early morning or  dawn before school, while others study better at night during prep or after house chores. You can do both if they work for you.

How to create an effective study plan?

We discussed how to create a study plan in step four. Here are some additional tips to help you:

• Use a calendar or a timetable: Plan what you’ll study each week. Allocate specific time blocks (early morning prep, night prep, or late-night sessions) to different subjects. Here’s an example:

Day	Time	Subject	Topic	Specific task
Monday	7:00 PM – 9:00 PM	Core Maths	Trigonometry	Learn SOH-CAH-TOA and apply it to solve past questions

You can use colour codes for different subjects or tasks.

• Assign more time to tough subjects: If along  the line, you find some topics or subjects more difficult, allocate extra hours  to them so  you can spend more time on them to improve your overall performance.
• Include short breaks: Do not study continuously for too long. Always take a short break, 15 to 30 minutes, to relax your brain, take awalk, or stretch before continuing.

Other important success tips

Beyond planning and studying, good study habits and practices can help you stay focused and avoid common exam mistakes.

Here are some important tips:

• Always pay attention in class. It’s easier to study and remember what you learn when you focus in class.
• Studying with others will help you understand challenging topics more easily.
• Reduce time spent on social media, especially TikTok, and playing games.
• Study all your subjects, not just the ones you like. Balance is important.
• Don’t try to learn everything at once or depend on leaked questions (apor).
• Practise past questions with a timer to improve speed and confidence.
• Use WAEC-approved textbooks and avoid unreliable book summaries.

FAQs

How does WAEC set WASSCE questions?

WAEC sets WASSCE questions using trained people called setters. Some questions are tested in schools first to see how students perform. This helps WAEC check how easy or hard the questions are.

After that, each WAEC country reviews the questions, makes changes, and agrees on the final set. For theory papers, the questions are solved first, and a marking scheme is created before the papers are printed for the exam.

Is it true that WAEC repeats past questions?

Yes. While exact wording may change, many exam questions follow similar patterns. Regular practice with past questions helps you spot patterns and prepare better.

What is the secret to passing English in WASSCE?

Practice essays, comprehension, and summary writing. Focus on grammar and vocabulary, as WAEC values structured, well-written responses. Also, spend more time reading your literature books (the poems, prose, and drama).

What’s the main reason why students fail the WASSCE?

Most students fail the WASSCE due to weak preparation, poor time management, last-minute studying, and reliance on leaked questions.

What is the best grade in WASSCE?

A1 is the highest grade. Scores from A1 to B3 are considered excellent and are often required for admission to competitive university programs.

Final thoughts

You can pass WAEC and even excel. Follow your study plan, improve weak areas, and use the past WAEC questions to guide your revision.

On the examination day, wake up early and get to the exam hall at least 30 minutes early. Stay calm and trust your preparation. Remember, the WASSCE is tough, but you can conquer it.