The National Examinations Council (NECO) has released the timetable for the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), which is commonly called Junior WAEC.
According to the council, the examination will start on Monday, 20 April 2026 and end on Thursday, 30 April 2026. The timetable now shows the fixed dates and times for each subject, helping schools, parents, and candidates prepare ahead.
Important Instructions for Schools and Candidates
The National Examinations Council also shared some important rules that schools and candidates must follow during the examination. These instructions must be taken seriously on the exam day.
- Every candidate must come with a photocard for identification.
- If the time written on the question paper is different from the timetable, candidates must follow the time written on the question paper.
- Business Studies and Basic Science and Technology (BST) practicals can be taken in different sets if the number of candidates is large and equipment is not enough.
- Practical examinations must not continue after 5:00 pm.
- Computers may be used for the Business Studies practical.
- Albino and blind candidates will receive 30 minutes extra time in all subjects.
- Blind candidates must use the NECO OBR customised Braille sheet provided for the examination.
- Candidates are allowed to use simple calculators during the exam.
Items that are not allowed in the exam hall
The council also warned that electronic communication devices are not allowed in the examination hall.
Items banned during the examination include:
- Programmable calculators
- Mobile phones
- iPads and tablets
- Smart wristwatches
- Smart glasses
- Smart pens
Candidates are advised to follow all the rules to avoid problems during the examination.
Monday, 20 April
- Paper III: Practical: Business Studies, 20 mins, 10:00 am to 10:20 am
Tuesday, 21 April
- Paper II: Computer Practical: Basic Science and Technology (BST), 45 mins, 10:00 am to 10:45 am
Wednesday, 22 April
- Paper IV: Drawing: Basic Science and Technology (BST), 45 mins, 10:00 am to 10:45 am
- Paper III: Practical: Cultural and Creative Arts (CCA), 1 hr, 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Thursday, 23 April
- Paper I: Objective: History, 1 hr, 10:00 am to 11:00 am
- Paper I: Objective: History, 1 hr, 11:00 am to 12:00 noon
- Paper I: Objective: Hausa L1, 1 hr, 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm
- Paper I: Objective: Igbo L1, 1 hr, 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm
- Paper I: Objective: Yoruba L1, 1 hr, 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm
- Paper I: Objective: Hausa L2, 1 hr, 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm
- Paper I: Objective: Igbo L2, 1 hr, 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm
- Paper I: Objective: Yoruba L2, 1 hr, 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm
- Paper II: Objective: Hausa L1, 1 hr, 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm
- Paper II: Objective: Igbo L1, 1 hr, 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm
- Paper II: Objective: Yoruba L1, 1 hr, 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Friday, 24 April
- Paper I: Objective: Christian Religious Studies, 1 hr, 10:00 am to 11:00 am
- Paper I: Objective: Islamic Studies, 1 hr, 10:00 am to 11:00 am
- Paper II: Objective: Christian Religious Studies, 1 hr, 11:00 am to 12:00 noon
- Paper II: Objective: Islamic Studies, 1 hr, 11:00 am to 12:00 noon
Saturday, 25 April
- Paper I: Objective: Mathematics, 1 hr 20 mins, 10:00 am to 11:20 am
- Paper II: Objective: Mathematics, 1 hr 20 mins, 11:20 am to 12:40 pm
- Paper III: Essay: Mathematics, 40 mins, 2:30 pm to 3:10 pm
Monday, 27 April
- Paper I: Objective: Cultural and Creative Arts (CCA), 1 hr, 10:00 am to 11:00 am
- Paper II: Objective: Cultural and Creative Arts (CCA), 1 hr, 11:00 am to 12:00 noon
- Paper I: Objective: Business Studies, 1 hr, 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm
- Paper II: Objective: Business Studies, 1 hr, 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Tuesday, 28 April
- Paper I: Objective: Basic Science and Technology (BST), 1 hr, 10:00 am to 11:00 am
- Paper II: Objective: Basic Science and Technology (BST), 1 hr, 11:00 am to 12:00 noon
- Paper I: Objective: Pre-Vocational Studies (PVS), 1 hr, 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm
- Paper II: Objective: Pre-Vocational Studies (PVS), 1 hr, 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Wednesday, 29 April
- Paper I: Objective: English Studies, 1 hr 20 mins, 10:00 am to 11:20 am
- Paper II: Objective: English Studies, 40 mins, 11:20 am to 12:00 noon
- Paper III: Essay: English Studies, 45 mins, 1:15 pm to 2:00 pm
- Paper I: Objective: Arabic Language, 1 hr, 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm
- Paper II: Objective: Arabic Language, 1 hr, 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Thursday, 30 April
- Paper I: Objective: National Values Education (NVE), 1 hr, 10:00 am to 11:00 am
- Paper II: Objective: National Values Education (NVE), 1 hr, 11:00 am to 12:00 noon
- Paper I: Objective: French Language, 1 hr, 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm
- Paper II: Objective: French Language, 1 hr, 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm
