How to register for the BECE private exams?

14 Jun at 7:57 AM

Key takeaways

The private BECE is open to re-sit candidates, private individuals not enrolled in regular JHS.
Registration involves biometric capture at a WAEC-approved internet café, followed by online submission and payment at a designated bank.
Fees are based on the number of subjects.

WAEC offers a private BECE option for candidates seeking to improve their previous results, as well as those not enrolled in the regular Junior High School (JHS) system.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the registration process step by step.

Eligibility and requirements

You are eligible to register for the private BECE if you fall into any of the following categories:

Re-sit candidates: You’ve written the BECE before and want to improve your grades.
Private candidates: You are not currently enrolled in a regular Junior High School (JHS) but wish to obtain a Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) certificate. This includes foreign or mature candidates.

Note: Students currently enrolled in a regular JHS are not eligible to register for the private BECE. WAEC considers this an illegal offence.

If eligible, ensure you have the following ready for registration:

A recent passport-sized photograph with a white background (160 × 200 pixels)
Your signature written in blue or black ink (250 × 150 pixels).
Biometric data, which must be captured at a WAEC-approved internet café. Re-sitters must provide their index numbers for the last sitting.

Private BECE timeline

Below are the dates and deadlines for the BECE private exam:

Event	Time
Normal registration period	Often between 24 February and 28 March
Late registration period	Often between 30 March and 4 April
Index numbers	Accessible after the late registration period
Examination period	Same week as the BECE school
Release of results	Usually 90 days after the exam
Remarking scripts	Within 60 days after the result release.
Certificates	6 months after the result release

BECE private candidates are eligible for placement into SHS, SHTS, and TVET institutions.

However, you must complete the school selection process independently through an online portal. Visit the nearest Ghana Education Service (GES) office for guidance and assistance.

How to register for the BECE Private online?

Registering for the BECE as a private candidate involves two main phases: biometric registration and online submission.

Part 1: Biometric registration

The first step is to visit an internet café approved by WAEC to complete your biometric registration. This involves scanning your fingerprints and setting up a user account.

Once this is done, you’ll be given login credentials. You’ll use these details for the online registration.

Part 2: Online registration

With your biometric registration complete, follow these steps to register online:

Visit the BECE online registration portal.
Select New Registration.
Log in using the account created during biometric registration.
Enter your details (name, date of birth, a valid email address, postal address, etc.).

Note: Your name must not be more than 40 characters, and your postal address must not be more than 60 characters, including spaces.

Choose your preferred region and exam centre, and select the subjects you wish to write.

Note: You can choose up to 9 subjects in the old curriculum and 11 subjects in the new curriculum.

Upload a scanned copy of your passport photo and signature. Ensure these are clear and meet the required format.

Part 3: Printing and submitting documents

Once all information has been entered:

Print the Declaration Form. This is for your parent or guardian to sign. Once done, submit it to the WAEC office in your region.
Click on the Preview button to review your form. If all details are correct, click Submit. An invoice will be generated showing the amount due.
Print the invoice and pay at any of the designated banks.
After payment, log back into your account and print your Confirmation Page.

Your BECE private exam registration is now complete.

Other important information

Before finalising your registration, it’s important to understand the payment structure and other key guidelines provided by WAEC.

Payment details and instructions

Below are the subject-based registration fees:

Subject(s)	Cost (GHS)
4 or more subjects	282.35
3 subjects	254.35
2 subjects	228.46
1 subject	197.84

WAEC does not offer refunds; however, withdrawal before the exam may be considered at the Council’s sole discretion. The payment method is via bank. Accepted banks are:

Access Bank
Agricultural Development Bank
Bank of Africa
Consolidated Bank
Ecobank Ghana
Prudential Bank
United Bank for Africa
Zenith Bank

Examination resources

During registration, the following documents are available for download. Read them carefully to understand each stage of the process.

FAQs

How can I contact WAEC for further enquiries?

You can contact WAEC by phone at 0302208201/9, by email at info@waecgh.org, or by visiting your regional WAEC office.

Are there any accommodations for candidates with special needs?

Yes. Submit a request to WAEC, accompanied by a valid medical report that explains the disability and the assistance required.

Can I change my information after submitting my BECE private registration?

Yes, changes are allowed except for the date of birth. Other changes are permitted within deadlines and may incur additional fees. Use the Penalty Module on the portal to make edits and pay at the bank.