The Banjul Office of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) released the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results on Tuesday, revealing that only a small fraction of candidates achieved top credits in The Gambia. A total of 1,556 candidates secured credits in at least five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics. This specific benchmark of achieving credits in at least five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, is often considered a key indicator of academic readiness for further education or professional training. This figure comes from a total of 20,610 candidates who registered for the examination across 170 senior secondary schools in the country, noting the broad participation across the nation's educational institutions.
Gender Breakdown and Overall Registration
Performance statistics for the 2026 WASSCE were calculated from the complete records of 19,605 candidates, which represents 95.12 percent of the total registered participants. This indicates that the vast majority of registered students had their results fully processed and accounted for in the initial release. Among the 1,556 candidates who achieved top credits in at least five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, female students accounted for 907, while male students comprised 649. This shows a notable difference in the proportion of female candidates achieving this higher level of success compared to their male counterparts.
The overall registration for the examination saw an increase of 1.79 percent from the 20,248 candidates registered in 2025, reflecting a slight growth in the number of students taking the WASSCE. Female candidates formed the majority of registrants, totaling 13,070, or 63.42 percent of the cohort. This significant majority of female participants shows ongoing trends in educational enrolment in The Gambia. Conversely, male candidates constituted 7,540 registrants, making up 36.58 percent of the total, indicating a consistent gender imbalance in examination registration numbers.
Detailed Credit Attainment
Candidates for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination in The Gambia were assessed across 40 different subjects, according to data released by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC). This wide range of subjects allows students to pursue diverse academic and vocational interests. A detailed breakdown of credit attainment shows varying levels of success among participants across these subjects.
The results indicate that 722 candidates secured credits in nine subjects, demonstrating a high level of academic achievement across multiple disciplines. Slightly more candidates, 831, achieved credits in eight subjects, showing a strong performance just below the highest tier. For those obtaining credits in seven subjects, the number rose to 923, reflecting a solid academic foundation. A total of 969 candidates earned credits in six subjects. 1,076 candidates successfully obtained credits in five subjects, a key benchmark for many post-secondary opportunities. Moving down the scale, 1,316 candidates achieved four credits, while 1,647 candidates secured three credits. The data also showed that 2,072 candidates obtained credits in two subjects, and 2,964 candidates managed to secure a credit in just one subject, illustrating the broad spectrum of individual performance outcomes.
Malpractice and Incomplete Records
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) reported that 994 candidate records from the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination remain incomplete and are currently undergoing processing. This ongoing procedure affects a portion of the overall results released, meaning the final statistics could see minor adjustments once these records are fully reconciled.
Additionally, the results for 98 candidates have been withheld by WAEC due to suspicions of examination malpractice. These candidates are from 13 different schools across The Gambia, and their outcomes will remain pending further investigation into the alleged irregularities. The council’s strict stance on malpractice aims to maintain the integrity and credibility of the examination process.