2025 NECO Timetable Released: Full Exam Schedule and Key Dates for SSCE Candidates

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The National Examinations Council (NECO) has officially released the timetable for the 2025 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE). If you’re among the final-year secondary school students sitting for this crucial exam, this guide breaks down everything you need to know—from key exam dates to subjects and special notes—to help you prepare smartly and succeed.

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When Will the 2025 NECO Exam Start?

The 2025 NECO SSCE is scheduled to begin on Monday, June 16, and end on Friday, July 25, 2025.

The first week will feature practical and performance-based exams across vocational and science-based subjects such as:

• Physical Education
• Auto Mechanics
• Home Management
• Music Performance
• Foods and Nutrition
• Electrical and Mechanical Trades
• Cosmetology, Garment Making, and more

Written papers will follow shortly after the practicals and continue into late July.

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Why This Matters to You as a Student

NECO SSCE is a major milestone for secondary school leavers in Nigeria. The grades you earn can influence your university admissions, scholarship opportunities, and even employment prospects. That’s why knowing the timetable early helps you:

• Plan your revision effectively
• Organize your practicals and equipment
• Avoid scheduling conflicts
• Stay ahead of deadlines

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NECO 2025 Exam Timetable: Highlights from Week One (June 16–20)

Here are some of the major papers and practicals scheduled for the first week:

Subject	Paper Type	Duration
Physical Education	Practical	To be determined by NECO
Auto Mechanics	Practical	3 hours
Woodwork	Practical	3 hours
Home Management	Practical	3 hours
Foods & Nutrition	Practical	3 hours
Music (Performance Test, Aural)	Practical	1hr 30 mins / 50 mins
Oral French / Arabic	Oral	1hr / 1hr 20 mins
Auto Electrical Work	Practical	3 hours
Welding & Fabrication	Practical	6 hours
Electrical Installation	Practical	3 hours
Blocklaying & Bricklaying	Practical	5 hours
Carpentry & Joinery	Practical	4 hours
Catering Craft	Practical	3 hours
Clothing & Textiles	Practical	3 hours
Cosmetology	Practical	3 hours
GSM Maintenance	Practical	Varies
Animal Husbandry	Progressive Assessments	Scheduled by NECO

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FRIDAY, JUNE 27

Biology Practical – Paper I

• Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 noon
• Duration: 2 hours

Chemistry Practical – Paper I (2021 Re-sit)

• Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 noon
• Duration: 2 hours

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MONDAY, JUNE 30

Store Management – Objective & Essay (Papers III & II)

• Time: 2:00 pm – 4:40 pm
• Duration: 2 hrs 40 mins

Auto Mechanics – Objective & Essay (Papers III & II)

• Time: 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm
• Duration: 2 hrs 30 mins

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TUESDAY, JULY 1

Geography – Objective & Physical/Practical (Papers III & II)

• Time: 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
• Duration: 2 hrs 30 mins

Indigenous Languages – Objective & Essay (Papers III & II)
Time for all: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm (3 hours)
Subjects include:

• Hausa
• Igbo
• Yoruba
• Edo
• Efik
• Ibibio

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 2

English Language (All Papers)

• Paper III – Objective: 10:00 am – 11:00 am (1 hr)
• Paper II – Essay: 11:15 am – 1:00 pm (1 hr 45 mins)
• Paper IV – Oral Test: 1:15 pm – 2:00 pm (45 mins)

Insurance – Objective & Essay (Papers III & II)

• Time: 2:20 pm – 5:00 pm
• Duration: 2 hrs 40 mins

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THURSDAY, JULY 3

Physics Practical – Paper I

• Time: 10:00 am – 12:45 pm
• Duration: 2 hrs 45 mins

Government – Objective & Essay (Papers III & II)

• Time: 2:00 pm – 4:40 pm
• Duration: 2 hrs 40 mins

Electronics – Objective & Essay (Papers III & II)

• Time: 2:00 pm – 4:40 pm
• Duration: 2 hrs 40 mins

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Friday, July 4, 2025

• Human and Regional Geography (Essay) – Paper II
  10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon

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Monday, July 7, 2025

• Technical Drawing (Practical) – Paper I
  10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
• Literature in English – Drama & Poetry – Paper II
  10:00 AM – 11:40 AM
• Biology (Objective & Essay) – Papers III & II
  2:00 PM – 4:30 PM

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Tuesday, July 8, 2025

• Computer Studies (Practical) – Paper II
  10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
• Chemistry (Objective & Essay) – Papers III & II
  10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
• Literature in English – Objective & Prose – Papers III & IV
  2:00 PM – 4:15 PM

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Wednesday, July 9, 2025 – The Big Practical Day

This day is packed with hands-on technical and science-based practicals:

6-Hour Practical Exams (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM)

• Painting & Decoration
• Dyeing & Bleaching
• Printing Craft Practice
• Photography
• Leather Goods Manufacturing & Repair

Shorter Practicals in the Morning

• Mining Practical – 2 hrs (10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon)
• Fisheries Practical – 1 hr 30 mins (10:00 AM – 11:30 AM)
• Animal Husbandry Practical – 1 hr 30 mins (10:00 AM – 11:30 AM)
• Stenography Practical – 1 hr 17 mins (10:00 AM – 11:17 AM)

Afternoon Practical

• Stenography (Word Processing) – 2 hrs (2:00 PM – 4:00 PM)

Technical Drawing (Objective & Drawing) – 2 hrs 30 mins
2:00 PM – 4:30 PM

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Friday, July 11, 2025 – Trade Subjects Take Over

Here’s a lineup of vocational and technical subjects, perfect for students in trade and technology tracks:

Objective & Essay (10:00 AM Start)

• Auto Parts Merchandising – 2 hrs 15 mins
• Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration – 1 hr 40 mins
• Electrical Installation & Maintenance – 2 hrs
• Blocklaying, Bricklaying & Concrete Work – 2 hrs
• Machine Woodworking – 1 hr 40 mins
• Carpentry & Joinery – 2 hrs
• Upholstery – 1 hr 30 mins
• Stenography – 2 hrs
• Animal Husbandry – 2 hrs
• Fisheries – 2 hrs

Report Writing (All 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon)

• Painting & Decoration
• Dyeing & Bleaching
• Printing Craft Practice
• Photography
• Leather Goods Manufacturing & Repair

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NECO 2025 Week 1 Exam Timetable (July 21–25)

Monday, July 21

• Building Construction Paper I: Drawing – 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
• Visual Art Paper IV: Creative Design – 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
• Basic Electricity Papers III & II (Objective & Essay) – 10:00 am to 12:15 pm
• Visual Art Paper I: Drawing – 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Tuesday, July 22

• Civic Education Papers III & II – 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
• Physical Education Papers III & II – 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
• Building Construction Papers III & II – 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
• Office Practice Papers III & II – 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Wednesday, July 23

• Christian Religious Studies Papers III & II – 10:00 am to 12:30 pm
• Islamic Studies Papers III & II – 10:00 am to 12:30 pm
• Foods and Nutrition Papers III & II – 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm

Thursday, July 24

• Further Mathematics Paper III (Objective) – 10:00 am to 12:00 noon
• Further Mathematics Paper II (Essay) – 12:00 noon to 2:30 pm
• Visual Art Papers III & II – 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Friday, July 25

• Agricultural Science Papers III & II – 10:00 am to 12:30 pm

The complete PDF version of the timetable is available at the official NECO exam timetable 2025.

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NECO’s Special Instructions: What Every Candidate Must Know

To ensure a smooth and valid exam process, NECO has issued several must-follow rules and special arrangements:

Before You Enter the Exam Hall

• Come with your official NECO photocard – no exceptions.
• Always use the time printed on the question paper if it differs from the timetable.

Exam Centers for Certain Practical and Oral Papers

These papers will be scheduled directly by NECO State Offices:

• Physical Education Paper I (Practical)
• Auto Mechanics Paper I (Practical)
• French Paper IV (Oral)
• Arabic Paper IV (Oral)
• Music Paper IV (Aural)

Group Practical Exams

Candidates offering the following subjects can take their practicals in groups:

• Computer Studies
• Data Processing
• Stenography
• Basic Science subjects

Note: Visual Arts Paper IV (Creative Design) must be distributed one week before the exam, while Welding and Fabrication practicals must be shared three weeks in advance.

Extra Support for Special Needs

• Albinos and blind candidates will be given 30 extra minutes for each paper.
• Blind students must use NECO-provided braille answer sheets.

Advance Paper Release

The following subjects require that Paper Ib be distributed two weeks before the exam date:

• Dyeing and Bleaching
• Photography
• Leather Goods
• Painting and Decoration
• Printing Craft Practice

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What’s Allowed and What’s Not

Allowed:

• Scientific calculators

Strictly Not Allowed:

• Mobile phones
• Smartwatches
• Tablets
• iPads
• Programmable calculators

Important: If you miss any Paper I (practical), you will not receive a result for that subject.

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Tips to Excel in the NECO 2025 Exams

Preparing well is the key to passing any exam. Here are practical tips to help you succeed:

• Start your revision early – don’t wait till the last minute.
• Practise past questions to get familiar with exam formats.
• Join group study sessions, especially for subjects that require practical knowledge.
• Eat well and rest properly – your brain performs better when you’re healthy.

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Final Thoughts

The NECO 2025 timetable is out, and now is the time to plan your revision strategy. Stay informed, stay prepared, and follow all official instructions closely. For the full PDF timetable, visit the official NECO website.

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