WAEC 2025 Timetable Released: Full Exam Schedule, Dates, and What Students Need to Know
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has officially released the 2025 May/June WASSCE timetable for school candidates across West Africa. The exam will run from Thursday, April 24, 2025, to Friday, June 20, 2025.
This timetable affects students in Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and Liberia, all of whom will sit for both theory and objective papers, along with practical and oral tests for applicable subjects.
WAEC plays a vital role in determining students’ chances of university admission, scholarship eligibility, and job opportunities. This year’s early release gives candidates ample time to prepare and strategize.
Key WAEC 2025 Exam Dates
- First Paper: Thursday, April 24, 2025
- Final Paper: Friday, June 20, 2025
- Duration: Approximately 8 weeks
- Scope: Essay, Objective, Oral, and Practical Papers
- Time Zones: All times follow local time in each country
What to Know Before You Start
WAEC 2025 is not just a routine exam—it’s a major milestone. Candidates are advised to:
- Review the full timetable carefully
- Build a personalized study plan based on their subject schedule
- Begin early revision, including past question practice
- Avoid distractions, malpractice, and last-minute cramming
WAEC 2025 Timetable: Early Highlights
Thursday, April 24, 2025
- Foods and Nutrition 3 (Practical – Planning Session)
Time: 08:30 AM – 09:30 AM
Duration: 1 hour - Home Management 3 (Practical – Planning Session)
Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Duration: 1 hour
Friday, April 25, 2025
- Animal Husbandry (Alternative A) 2 – Essay
Time: 08:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Duration: 2 hours - Animal Husbandry (Alternative A) 1 – Objective
Time: 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Duration: 1 hour - Clerical Office Duties 2 – Essay
Time: 08:30 AM – 10:40 AM
Duration: 2 hours 10 minutes - Clerical Office Duties 1 – Objective
Time: 10:40 AM – 11:30 AM
Duration: 50 minutes
Monday, April 28, 2025
- Metalwork 3 (Practical):
- 1st Set: 08:30–11:40 (3hrs 10mins)
- 2nd Set: 12:00–15:10 (3hrs 10mins)
- Store Management:
- Paper 2 (Essay): 13:00–15:00 (2hrs)
- Paper 1 (Objective): 15:00–16:00 (1hr)
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
- Woodwork 3 (Practical):
- 1st Set: 08:30–11:30 (3hrs)
- 2nd Set: 12:00–15:00 (3hrs)
- Applied Electricity & Basic Electricity:
- Essay: 13:00–14:00 (1hr)
- Objective: 14:00–15:00 (1hr)
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
- Electronics & Basic Electronics:
- Essay: 08:30–09:30 (1hr)
- Objective: 09:30–10:30 (1hr)
- Foods & Nutrition:
- Essay: 13:00–14:15 (1hr 15mins)
- Objective: 14:15–15:15 (1hr)
Thursday, May 1, 2025 – Public Holiday
No examinations will be held in observance of Workers’ Day.
Friday, May 2, 2025
One of the busiest exam days this session:
- Over 15 subjects including:
- Furniture Making, Automobile Parts Merchandising, Photography, Stenography, Garment Making, Plumbing, Cosmetology, and more.
- Papers range from practical sessions starting as early as 08:30 to afternoon essays closing at 16:15.
- Most exams are conducted in two sets to accommodate all candidates.
Monday, May 5, 2025
- Arabic:
- Essay: 08:30–10:30 (2hrs)
- Objective: 10:30–11:20 (50mins)
- Business Management:
- Essay: 13:00–15:00 (2hrs)
- Objective: 15:00–16:00 (1hr)
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
- Commerce:
- Essay: 08:30–10:30 (2hrs)
- Objective: 10:30–11:20 (50mins)
- Computer Studies (Practical):
- 1st Set: 12:00–14:00 (2hrs)
- 2nd Set: 14:00–16:00 (2hrs)
- Cost Accounting:
- Essay: 13:00–15:00 (2hrs)
- Objective: 15:00–16:00 (1hr)
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
Another packed day with over 20 paper sessions:
- Vocational & Engineering Crafts such as:
- Auto Electrical Works, Stenography, Plumbing, Animal Husbandry, Photography, Carpentry, Welding, Air-Conditioning, and more.
- Most papers scheduled between 08:30 and 13:00, including:
- Essay and Objective formats
- Practical alternatives and hands-on skill evaluations
Thursday, 8th May, 2025
- Management-in-Living (Essay, Objective, Practical): Begins at 08:30 AM, ends by 02:00 PM.
- Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, Forestry (Practical): Two sets starting from 08:30 AM to 01:00 PM.
- Technical Vocational Practicals (e.g., Radio & TV, Auto Mechanics, Bricklaying, Furniture Making, Welding, Leather Works, Dyeing & Bleaching): Conducted in two sessions across the morning and afternoon.
Friday, 9th May, 2025
- Catering Craft Practice & Cosmetology: Early start at 08:30 AM.
- GSM Phone Maintenance, Mining, Salesmanship, Leather Goods: Exams run from 08:30 AM to 11:30 AM.
- Bookkeeping, Storekeeping & Garment Making: Objective and essay papers conclude by midday.
- Crop Husbandry Practical: Two sets between 08:30 AM and 01:00 PM.
Monday, 12th May, 2025
- Further Mathematics (Essay): 08:30 AM to 11:00 AM.
- Further Mathematics (Objective): 01:00 PM to 02:30 PM.
Tuesday, 13th May – Friday, 6th June, 2025
- Oral and Performance Tests: For Arabic, French, PE, Home Economics, Music. Exact dates/times to be arranged by WAEC and individual schools.
Tuesday, 13th May, 2025
- Government & Agricultural Science: Exams run from 08:30 AM to 04:00 PM.
Wednesday, 14th May, 2025
- Civic Education, Engineering Science, Marketing: Spread across morning and afternoon sessions.
Thursday, 15th May, 2025
- Biology Practical or Alternative: Candidates will either write a practical or its alternative from 08:30 AM.
- Literature (Drama & Poetry): Held in the afternoon.
Friday, 16th May, 2025
- Agricultural Science Practical or Alternative: Begins by 08:30 AM.
- Building Construction: Afternoon session from 02:30 PM.
Monday, 19th May, 2025
- Music (Essay & Objective): Runs from 08:30 AM to 11:30 AM.
- Clothing & Textiles, Chemistry Practical/Alternative, ICT Practical: Conducted across morning and early afternoon.
Tuesday, 20th May, 2025
- Nigerian Languages & Forestry: All essay and objective papers scheduled between 01:00 PM and 04:00 PM.
Wednesday, 21st May, 2025
- Christian Religious Studies, Islamic Studies, Physics: Full exam block between 08:30 AM and 03:45 PM.
Thursday, 22nd May, 2025
- Chemistry (Essay & Objective), Literature (Prose & Objective): Timed from 08:30 AM through 03:15 PM.
Friday, 23rd May, 2025
- Biology (Essay & Objective): 08:30 AM to 11:00 AM.
- Home Management: Afternoon exams from 02:30 PM.
Monday, 26th May, 2025
- Electronics & Visual Arts: Practical exams in the morning, essay and objective tests in the afternoon.
Tuesday, May 27, 2025, with practicals and core subject papers including:
- Physics 3 (Practical) – Alternative A and D (08:30 AM – 2:30 PM in two sets)
- Building Construction 3, French Essay and Objective – All in the afternoon.
The next day, May 28, brings one of the most anticipated papers:
- English Language (Essay, Objective, and Orals) – From 8:30 AM to 1:45 PM.
If you’re aiming for top grades in English, make sure your reading comprehension and oral practice are sharpened ahead of time.
Mathematics, Economics, and Financial Accounting: Core Papers to Watch
- General Mathematics – Tuesday, June 3
Essay: 08:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Objective: 02:00 PM – 03:30 PM - Economics – Wednesday, June 4
Essay: 08:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Objective: 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM - Financial Accounting – Same day (June 4)
Essay: 01:00 PM – 03:30 PM
Objective: 03:30 PM – 04:30 PM
These subjects are crucial for commercial students, and their scheduling allows for enough preparation between papers.
Public Holiday Break: Eid al-Adha
There will be no exams from Thursday, June 5 to Monday, June 9, 2025, in observance of Eid al-Adha. Students are encouraged to use this break for strategic revision.
Technical and Vocational Exams Spread Out Across June
From Auto Mechanics and Air-conditioning to Visual Arts and Typewriting, technical and practical exams are scattered throughout June, often divided into multiple sets per day.
Examples include:
- Auto Electrical Works – Monday, June 2
- Metalwork, History – Tuesday, June 10
- Technical Drawing – Wednesday, June 11 and Monday, June 16
Candidates offering vocational subjects should carefully cross-check their exact time slots.
Important Guidelines from WAEC
- Stick to the Question Paper Time
If there’s a difference between the question paper and the timetable, always follow the duration on the question paper. - Advance Release for Some Practical and Project Papers
Papers like Visual Arts, Bricklaying, and Leatherwork will have their questions released days or even weeks before the exam. - Special Provisions for Physically Challenged Candidates
Candidates who are blind, deaf, or dumb are entitled to extra time (1.5x) during each paper.
Final Week: Sciences and Art Close the Schedule
The final set of papers includes:
- Chemistry Practical – Tuesday, June 17
- Physics Practical – Wednesday, June 18
- Fisheries, Woodwork – Thursday, June 19
- Physical Education – Friday, June 20
These subjects mark the final phase of WAEC 2025, allowing science students to wrap up with focus.
Pro Tip: Stay Updated and Keep a Printed Copy
While this overview offers a full picture, students should download or print the full timetable, highlight their subjects, and build a revision calendar around it. Staying ahead is the key to acing WAEC 2025.
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