If You Failed Your Core Subject in the WAEC Result, this is what you can do (2025 guide): Failing a core subject in your WAEC result can be heartbreaking, especially when you’ve worked so hard and have high hopes for gaining admission into a university or polytechnic. However, don’t panic—there are still several realistic options to explore. In this article, we’ll walk you through what to do if you failed a core subject in WAEC, including waiting for NECO, considering alternative courses, and writing GCE. We’ll also give tips on how to stay on track with your academic goals.
Let’s get started.
1. Wait for Your NECO Result (If You Sat for It)
If you wrote NECO alongside WAEC, this is the first thing to focus on. There’s still hope that the subject you failed in WAEC might be better in your NECO result. NECO is accepted by all Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
So, if you were smart enough to register for both WAEC and NECO, all you need to do is:
Be patient and wait for NECO to be released (usually August or early September).
Once released, check if you passed the core subject in NECO.
If you passed, you can use your NECO result to replace the failed WAEC subject when registering for screening or admission.
Important Tip: Ensure you upload your NECO result to the JAMB portal and also update it on your school’s screening portal (e.g., UNN, UNIZIK, etc.).
2. Register for WAEC GCE or NECO GCE (External Exams)
If you didn’t sit for NECO and your result can’t qualify you for admission this year, the next best thing is to pick up the WAEC GCE or NECO GCE form. These are second-chance exams for candidates who want to improve their results.
Here’s what to do:
Purchase the GCE form as soon as it’s out (usually around July/August for WAEC GCE and September/October for NECO GCE).
Note: Try to confirm the specific date form the official website of the WAEC gce or NECO GCE
Prepare seriously for the exam; don’t repeat the same mistake.
Write and pass the required subjects.
However, take note:
Some universities such as the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) clearly state that candidates who plan to use the November/December GCE result won’t be considered for that same year’s admission. This is because the GCE result may not be released before admission closes.
So, if you’re going for GCE, it means you’re preparing for admission in the next academic session. Be patient and make sure you do it right this time.
3 You Should Consider
a. Consider Schools That Accept Two Sittings
If you failed a subject in WAEC but passed it in NECO, you can combine both results. As long as you have five relevant credits including English and Mathematics, you’re good to go. Most Nigerian universities accept this.
Make sure to:
Confirm from the school’s admission guidelines if they accept two sittings.
Use both results during your screening or JAMB combination upload.
b. Explore Polytechnics or Colleges of Education
Some polytechnics or colleges may have more flexible entry requirements. If your ultimate goal is a university degree, you can start with an ND (National Diploma) or NCE (Nigeria Certificate in Education), then apply for direct entry later.
Final Thoughts
Failing a core subject in WAEC doesn’t mean the end of your academic journey. What matters most is how quickly and smartly you respond. Whether it’s by waiting for NECO, switching your course, registering for GCE, or considering alternative programmes, there’s always a way forward.
Let’s recap your best steps:
1. Wait for NECO if you wrote it.
3. Register for WAEC or NECO GCE and plan to use it next year.
5. Check if your school accepts two sittings or consider polytechnics.
Stay positive and keep pushing forward. A temporary setback doesn’t mean a permanent failure.
