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WASSCE Ghana study materials
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WASSCE Ghana: WASSCE School Candidates (SC): CASS, Core Subjects and Aggregate Calculation

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WASSCE School Candidates (SC): CASS, Core Subjects and Aggregate Calculation

WASSCE School Candidates (SC) is the WAEC Ghana examination taken by students presented by recognised senior high schools, normally in the May/June series. It tests syllabus content through written papers, and for school candidates it also incorporates school-based continuous assessment (CASS/SBA). The domain therefore tests both subject knowledge and the candidate's ability to manage a two-part assessment: internal assessment records and external papers.

Core rules

  • School candidates take four core subjects - English Language, Mathematics, Integrated Science and Social Studies - plus electives chosen for their programme.
  • Where CASS/SBA is prescribed, it contributes 30% of the final subject score; the external written, practical and oral papers contribute 70%.
  • Grades run A1 to F9. A1–C6 are credit passes; A1=1, B2=2, B3=3, C4=4, C5=5, C6=6, D7=7, E8=8, F9=9.
  • Admission aggregates normally use English, Mathematics, Integrated Science and three electives; check each institution's programme requirements because Social Studies and elective combinations can affect eligibility.

Worked example

A candidate has a CASS score of 24/30. The written paper is marked 68/100 and carries 70%. The final score is 24 + (68/100 × 70) = 24 + 47.6 = 71.6. On the A1–F9 scale, 71.6 falls in B2 (70–74). The raw paper mark of 68 would suggest B3 (65–69), so the CASS score moves the grade up. The reasoning: scale the exam mark to its 70% weight before adding the 30% CASS, then compare the total with the grade boundaries.

Traps

  • Treating the raw exam mark as the final grade and ignoring the 30% CASS weighting.
  • Forgetting that practical, oral and project papers are part of the external 70%, not optional extras.
  • Counting extra subjects in an aggregate when the institution uses only specified core and elective subjects.
  • Assuming a credit in every subject guarantees admission; programme cut-offs and core requirements still apply.
  • Mismatching index number, centre or subject entries, which can invalidate a paper.