WASSCE Ghana key terms

A subject that every WASSCE candidate must sit, namely English Language, Mathematics, and either Integrated Science or Social Studies depending on the programme. Results in core subjects largely determine eligibility for tertiary admission.

A subject chosen according to a candidate's programme of study, such as Physics, Economics, or Literature-in-English. Electives are usually three or four per candidate and are graded on the same scale as core subjects.

The course track a school candidate follows, for example General Science, General Arts, Business, or Home Economics. It fixes which elective subjects the candidate registers for and which core science or social subject applies.

The formal process of entering a candidate for specific subjects and papers with the examining body, including submission of personal details and payment of entry fees before the published deadline.

The unique identification number issued to each candidate for an examination series. It appears on the candidate's admission documents and must be written correctly on every answer booklet and answer sheet.

The minimum conditions a person must satisfy to be accepted for a given examination, such as completed school course work, minimum age, or approved prior qualifications, verified at registration.

A candidate who sits the examination without being presented by a recognised school, usually after self-study or repeat attempts. Private candidates register individually and sit at designated centres.

A candidate presented for the examination by a recognised secondary school after completing the prescribed course of study. The school handles registration and provides the examination centre.

The approved venue where candidates sit papers under supervision. Centres are assigned by the examining body and candidates must attend the centre named on their registration documents.

The officer who supervises candidates in the examination hall, checks identity, distributes and collects scripts, enforces silence, and reports any irregularity to the examination authority.

The document confirming a candidate's registration, showing index number, centre, subjects, and timetable. Candidates normally present it for identity checks at the examination hall.

The official schedule listing dates, start times, and durations of each paper. Candidates must follow it strictly and arrive early, since late entry is usually refused after the first thirty minutes.

A situation where two registered papers are scheduled at overlapping times. Candidates report it early so the examining body can arrange a supervised alternative sitting, never by missing one paper.

A paper made up of multiple-choice questions answered on a machine-readable sheet by shading the chosen option. Marks depend only on the shaded answer, so erasures and stray marks must be avoided.

A paper requiring written answers in prose, calculations, or structured steps in an answer booklet. Marks are awarded for method, organisation, and accuracy, not only the final answer.

A paper testing hands-on skills in subjects such as science, technical drawing, or home economics, conducted in a laboratory or workshop. Candidates handle apparatus or specimens and record observations.

A biological or material sample supplied for practical questions. Candidates examine it during the paper and must not remove it from the laboratory; questions refer only to the specimen provided at the centre.

The ruled or numbered booklet issued for written answers. Candidates write their index number on the cover, follow the instruction on which questions to answer, and hand it in with all pages intact.

The pre-printed form, often scanned by machine, on which objective answers are shaded or short answers written. Instructions on shading and permitted writing instruments must be followed exactly.

The official guide used by examiners showing acceptable answers and the marks allocated to each point or step. It explains why showing working earns method marks even when the final answer is wrong.

Credit given for a correct approach or intermediate step in a calculation, even if the final answer is inaccurate. Writing down clear working is therefore essential in mathematics and science papers.

The letter awarded for a subject after marks are converted to a standard scale, running from the highest to the lowest pass and including a fail. Grades, not raw marks, are reported on the certificate.

A grade at or above the level recognised as a pass with credit, typically grades A1 to C6. Universities and employers commonly require a set number of credit passes in core and elective subjects.

A summary figure calculated from a candidate's best subject grades, used for tertiary admission decisions. Lower aggregates are better because the best grades carry the smallest numerical values.

The numerical value attached to each letter grade on a defined scale. Grade points allow averages and aggregates to be computed consistently across subjects and examination series.

The document issued to a candidate showing subject grades for one examination series. It is provisional and is later replaced by the certificate for official purposes such as admission.

The formal document issued after results are confirmed, listing subjects and grades. It is the accepted proof of qualification for admission, employment, and further study.

A formal request for rechecking or remarking of a paper when a candidate believes marks were omitted or added wrongly. It is made within a published window and may attract a fee.

Any dishonest act during the examination, such as copying, smuggling in notes, impersonation, or communicating with another candidate. Penalties range from cancellation of the paper to cancellation of the whole entry.

The offence of having another person sit a paper in a candidate's place. It is treated as serious malpractice and can lead to cancellation of results for both parties.

Marks awarded by the school during the course, based on class tests, assignments, and projects, which are submitted to the examining body and combined with the final paper score in some subjects.

The minimum score or grade needed to be considered successful in a paper or subject. It is set by the examining body and may differ between subjects and between papers.

The instruction printed at the top of a question paper telling candidates how many questions to answer, the time allowed, and any restrictions. Ignoring the rubric can cost marks even when answers are correct.

The digits in a number that carry meaningful accuracy, used when rounding answers in science and mathematics. Candidates lose marks when the required number of significant figures is not followed.

One scheduled sitting of the examination, identified by year and session. Results, index numbers, and certificates all refer to a specific series, which matters when comparing or upgrading results.