Difference between WAEC, GCE, NECO and NABTEB

Many students in Nigeria are confused about the difference between WAEC, NECO and NABTEB exams. They may think that they are all the same or that they have the same value. However, this is not true. These three exams have different purposes, structures and benefits. In this article, we will explain what each exam is and how they differ from each other. 
  First, let us understand what each exam is and what it stands for.

             What is WAEC?

WAEC stands for West African Examination Council. It is an organization that conducts the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for students in English-speaking West African countries. These countries are Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone and The Gambia. WAEC was established in 1952 to harmonize the education standards and policies of these countries.

WAEC exam is usually taken by students in their final year of secondary school (SS3). It tests their knowledge and skills in various subjects that they have studied from SS1 to SS3. The exam is held twice a year: in May/June for school candidates and in November/December for private candidates. The exam consists of two parts: theory and practical. The theory part is written in paper and pencil format, while the practical part involves performing experiments or tasks related to the subjects.

             What is NECO?

NECO stands for National Examinations Council. It is a Nigerian government agency that conducts the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) for Nigerian students only. NECO was established in 1999 to provide an alternative to WAEC exam for Nigerian students who want to obtain their secondary school certificate.

NECO exam is also taken by students in their final year of secondary school (SS3). It tests their knowledge and skills in various subjects that they have studied from SS1 to SS3. The exam is also held twice a year: in June/July for school candidates and in November/December for private candidates. The exam also consists of two parts: theory and practical. The theory part is written in paper and pencil format, while the practical part involves performing experiments or tasks related to the subjects.

Whay is GCE

GCE stands for General Certificate of Education. It is a type of examination that is taken by candidates who want to obtain their secondary school certificate or O'level certificate. There are different bodies that conduct GCE exams in Nigeria, such as WAEC, NECO, NABTEB and NBAIS. These bodies also conduct their regular exams for school candidates, which are usually held in May/June. However, the GCE exams are for private candidates, who may have missed or failed the regular exams, or who want to upgrade their results. The GCE exams are usually held in November/December (or sometimes earlier) each year.
WAEC stands for West African Examination Council. It is an organization that conducts the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for candidates in English-speaking West African countries. The WAEC GCE is the private version of the WASSCE, which is taken by candidates who want to obtain their O'level certificate from WAEC. The WAEC GCE covers general subjects such as English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, etc. The WAEC GCE is recognized internationally as a qualification for admission into higher institutions of learning.

Now that we have explained what each GCE exam is, let us see how they differ from each other and from the regular exams.

  - The main difference between the GCE exams and the regular exams is that the GCE exams are for private candidates, while the regular exams are for school candidates. Private candidates are those who register and pay for the exams by themselves, without being affiliated to any school or institution. School candidates are those who register and pay for the exams through their schools or institutions.
  - Another difference between the GCE exams and the regular exams is that the GCE exams are usually more difficult than the regular exams. This is because the examiners expect higher standards and performance from private candidates, who have more time and resources to prepare for the exams. Also, some subjects may have different syllabuses or curricula for the GCE exams than for the regular exams.
  - A third difference between the GCE exams and the regular exams is that the GCE exams have fewer candidates than the regular exams. This is because not many people opt for the private option, either due to lack of awareness, affordability or preference. Also, some institutions may not accept or recognize some GCE results as valid or equivalent to their regular counterparts.

       

  What is NABTEB?

NABTEB stands for National Business and Technical Examinations Board. It is another Nigerian government agency that conducts the National Business Certificate (NBC) and National Technical Certificate (NTC) examinations for students who want to pursue vocational or technical education. NABTEB was established in 1992 to promote technical and business skills among Nigerian youths.

NABTEB exam is taken by students who have completed their three-year technical or business education program in secondary schools or technical colleges. It tests their knowledge and skills in various trade subjects such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical installation, catering, etc. The exam is held once a year: in May/June for both school and private candidates. The exam also consists of two parts: theory and practical. The theory part is written in paper and pencil format, while the practical part involves performing tasks related to the trade subjects.

Now that we have explained what each exam is, let us see how they differ from each other.

WAEC exam is for students in West African countries, while NECO and NABTEB exams are for Nigerian students only.
WAEC exam covers general subjects such as English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, etc., while NABTEB exam covers trade subjects such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical installation, catering, etc.
WAEC exam is recognized internationally as a qualification for admission into higher institutions of learning, while NECO and NABTEB exams are recognized nationally as qualifications for admission into polytechnics or colleges of education.
WAEC exam has more candidates than NECO and NABTEB exams because it is more popular and widely accepted.
WAEC exam has more strict marking scheme than NECO and NABTEB exams because it has higher standards and expectations.

These are some of the differences between WAEC, NECO and NABTEB exams. You should choose the exam that suits your needs and goals best. You should also prepare well for any exam that you take by studying hard and using the right materials.

Received message. Here is a possible rewrite of the content with more details: Many students in Nigeria are confused about the difference between WAEC, NECO and NABTEB exams. They may think that they are all the same or that they have the same value. However, this is not true. These three exams have different purposes, structures and benefits. In this article, we will explain what each exam is and how they differ from each other. First, let us understand what each exam is and what it stands for. What is WAEC? WAEC stands for West African Examination Council. It is an organization that conducts the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for students in English-speaking West African countries. These countries are Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone and The Gambia. WAEC was established in 1952 to harmonize the education standards and policies of these countries. WAEC exam is usually taken by students in their final year of secondary school (SS3). It tests their knowledge and skills in various subjects that they have studied from SS1 to SS3. The exam is held twice a year: in May/June for school candidates and in November/December for private candidates. The exam consists of two parts: theory and practical. The theory part is written in paper and pencil format, while the practical part involves performing experiments or tasks related to the subjects.

What is NECO? NECO stands for National Examinations Council. It is a Nigerian government agency that conducts the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) for Nigerian students only. NECO was established in 1999 to provide an alternative to WAEC exam for Nigerian students who want to obtain their secondary school certificate.

The exam also consists of two parts: theory and practical.

The theory part is written in paper and pencil format, while the practical part involves performing experiments or tasks related to the subjects. What is NABTEB? NABTEB stands for National Business and Technical Examinations Board. It is another Nigerian government agency that conducts the National Business Certificate (NBC) and National Technical Certificate (NTC) examinations for students who want to pursue vocational or technical education. NABTEB was established in 1992 to promote technical and business skills among Nigerian youths.

The theory part is written in paper and pencil format, while the practical part involves performing tasks related to the trade subjects. Now that we have explained what each exam is, let us see how they differ from each other.

WAEC exam is for students in West African countries, while NECO and NABTEB exams are for Nigerian students only.
WAEC exam covers general subjects such as English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, etc., while NABTEB exam covers trade subjects such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical installation, catering, etc.
WAEC exam is recognized internationally as a qualification for admission into higher institutions of learning, while NECO and NABTEB exams are recognized nationally as qualifications for admission into polytechnics or colleges of education.
WAEC exam has more candidates than NECO and NABTEB exams because it is more popular and widely accepted.
WAEC exam has more strict marking scheme than NECO and NABTEB exams because it has higher standards and expectations. These are some of the differences between WAEC, NECO and NABTEB exams.

You should choose the exam that suits your needs and goals best. You should also prepare well for any exam that you take by studying hard and using the right materials.

Now let’s interpret these grades

A1 Excellent 75% – 100%
B2 Very Good 70% – 74%
B3 Good 65% – 69%
C4 Credit 60% – 64%
C5 Credit 55% – 59%
C6 Credit 50% -54%
D7 Pass 45% – 49%
E8 Pass 40% – 45%
F9 Fail 0% – 44%

This is the format of grading for WAEC. The grade required for students to gain admission is C6, anything less than that i.e. D7, E8, and F9 won’t be accepted and would be regarded as a fail.

NECO O’ level Exam

NECO Manner of Exam

The NECO Exam conducts its General Certificate in Education in November or December and conducts its Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) in June or July.

The NECO Pattern of Exam is similar to that of WAEC but it does not conduct it’s GCE for private students in January or February but in November or December.

NECO Acceptance of Results

NECO results are accepted by all Universities and Higher Institutions in Nigeria but they may not be accepted or recognized internationally.

NECO Grade of Students

The NECO grade of students are also in A1, B2, B3, C4, C5, C6, D7, E8 and F9.

Now let’s interpret these grades

A1 Excellent 75% – 100%
B2 Very Good 70% – 74%
B3 Good 65% -69%
C4 Credit 60% – 64%
C5 Credit 55% – 59%
C6 Credit 50% – 54%
D7 Pass 45% – 49%
E8 Pass 40% – 45%
F9 Fail 0% – 44%

This is the format of grading for NECO, you’ll also notice that this format is similar to that of WAEC.

NABTEB O’ level Exam

NABTEB Manner of Exam

The NABTEB Pattern of Exam is similar to that of WAEC and NECO but it also doesn’t conduct its GCE exam for private students in January or February.

It should be noted that NABTEB also conducts A’ Level exams where students with A’ Level Certificate can gain admission and continue from 200 Level in any University or Technical College that accepts NABTEB A’ Level Certificate.

But before you are allowed to sit for any A’ Level exam you must have gotten your O’ Level results.

NABTEB Acceptance of Results

NABTEB results are accepted in all Technical Colleges and Universities in Nigeria but it is however not recognized or accepted internationally.

NABTEB Grade of Students

NABTEB Grade point is actually different from that of WAEC and NECO.

A2 in NABTEB means B2
A3 in NABTEB means B3
P7 in NABTEB means D7
P8 in NABTEB means E8

From the information above you’ll observe that truly the NABTEB Grade point is different to that of WAEC and NECO.

So in Conclusion, although these three exams may seem similar to a lot of people, they actually do have some differences as stated above and they all are important O’ Level exams that can be used to gain admission into any University or Technical College of your choice.

Asuquo Joshua.