WAEC Grading System: A1, B2, B3, C4, C5, C6, D7, E8 and F9 Explained

The WAEC grading system is important for every student preparing for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

When your WAEC result is released, you will not see only your marks. You will see grades such as A1, B2, B3, C4, C5, C6, D7, E8 and F9.

But what do these grades mean?

What mark is A1 in WAEC?

Is C6 a credit?

Is D7 a pass?

What is the difference between B2 and B3?

And which WAEC grades are accepted for admission?

This guide explains the WAEC grading system in simple terms.

WAEC Grading System

WAEC uses a nine-grade system for WASSCE.

The grades run from A1 to F9.

A1 is the highest grade, while F9 is the lowest.

Here is the commonly used WAEC grade scale:

This grading scale is also reflected in published WASSCE grading references.

Important: The exact way marks are combined for a particular subject can depend on the papers and the approved marking scheme. The percentage bands above explain the final grade bands. They should not be used to guess how many questions you need to answer correctly in one paper.

What Does A1 Mean in WAEC?

A1 means Excellent.

It is the highest grade in the WAEC grading system.

A score of 75% to 100% falls within the A1 range.

For example, if your final score in a subject is 80%, your grade is A1.

What You Should Know About A1

A1 is a very strong WAEC grade.

If you have A1 in a subject, it means you performed at an excellent level in that subject.

Students often aim for A1 in important subjects such as:

• English Language
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Biology
• Economics
• Government
• Literature-in-English

What Does B2 Mean in WAEC?

B2 means Very Good.

A score between 70% and 74% falls within the B2 range.

B2 is one grade below A1.

It is also a strong result.

For example:

72% = B2

If you get B2 in a subject, you have performed very well.

What Does B3 Mean in WAEC?

B3 means Good.

A score between 65% and 69% falls within the B3 range.

For example:

67% = B3

B3 is also a credit grade.

It can meet an O’Level subject requirement where the required grade is C6 or better.

However, you should always check the exact requirements for your course and institution.

What Does C4 Mean in WAEC?

C4 means Credit.

A score between 60% and 64% falls within the C4 range.

For example:

62% = C4

C4 is a credit grade.

It is higher than C5 and C6.

What Does C5 Mean in WAEC?

C5 means Credit.

A score between 55% and 59% falls within the C5 range.

For example:

57% = C5

C5 is a credit pass.

It is below C4 but above C6.

What Does C6 Mean in WAEC?

C6 means Credit.

A score between 50% and 54% falls within the C6 range.

For example:

52% = C6

C6 is the lowest grade within the A1–C6 credit range.

This is why you will often hear students talk about getting “five credits” in WAEC.

In many admission requirements, a credit means C6 or better in the required subjects.

However, admission requirements vary by course and institution.

Is C6 a Credit in WAEC?

Yes.

C6 is a Credit.

The WAEC grading scale places C6 at 50%–54%.

So these grades are all credits:

• A1
• B2
• B3
• C4
• C5
• C6

What Does D7 Mean in WAEC?

D7 means Pass.

A score between 45% and 49% falls within the D7 range.

D7 is not a credit grade.

This is an important difference.

For example, if a university requires at least a credit in Mathematics, a D7 would normally not meet that requirement.

Always check the specific admission requirements for your course.

What Does E8 Mean in WAEC?

E8 means Pass.

A score between 40% and 44% falls within the E8 range.

Like D7, E8 is not a credit grade.

It is also below the C6 credit level.

What Does F9 Mean in WAEC?

F9 means Fail.

A score between 0% and 39% falls within the F9 range.

F9 is the lowest WAEC grade.

If you receive F9 in a subject that you need for admission, you may need to retake the subject or meet the requirement through another accepted result.

Which WAEC Grades Are Credits?

The WAEC credit grades are:

• A1
• B2
• B3
• C4
• C5
• C6

The pass grades are:

• D7
• E8

The fail grade is:

• F9

So, if you are checking whether a result contains a credit in a subject, C6 or better is the key range to look for.

WAEC Grades From Best to Worst

The easiest way to remember the grading system is to arrange the grades from highest to lowest:

A1 → B2 → B3 → C4 → C5 → C6 → D7 → E8 → F9

In simple terms:

A1 = Excellent

B2 = Very Good

B3 = Good

C4 = Credit

C5 = Credit

C6 = Credit

D7 = Pass

E8 = Pass

F9 = Fail

WAEC Grading System and Admission

Your WAEC grades can be very important when applying for admission.

Many Nigerian institutions require candidates to have credit passes in certain O’Level subjects.

For example, a course may require credits in:

• English Language
• Mathematics
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics

The exact requirements depend on the course and institution.

This means that having five credits does not automatically mean that you qualify for every course.

The subjects in which you have the credits also matter.

How Many WAEC Credits Do I Need for University?

Many Nigerian university courses require candidates to have at least five relevant O’Level credit passes, often including English Language and Mathematics.

However, this is not a universal rule for every course.

Some courses have additional subject requirements.

Some institutions may also have specific rules about the number of sittings accepted.

So, do not check only the number of credits.

Check the actual subjects too.

Preparing for JAMB?

You can also read:

How to Upload WAEC Result on JAMB Portal

This guide explains how to upload your O’Level result for admission purposes.

Is A1 Better Than B2 in WAEC?

Yes.

A1 is higher than B2.

The order is:

A1 > B2 > B3 > C4 > C5 > C6 > D7 > E8 > F9

For example:

• A1 = Excellent
• B2 = Very Good
• B3 = Good

All three are strong grades, but A1 is the highest.

Is B3 a Good Grade in WAEC?

Yes.

B3 means Good.

It falls within the 65%–69% range.

B3 is also a credit grade.

So if your course requires a minimum of C6 in that subject, B3 is above the required grade.

Is D7 a Fail in WAEC?

No.

D7 is a Pass.

However, D7 is not a credit.

This difference is important.

If an admission requirement says you need a credit in a subject, D7 does not meet that requirement.

Is E8 a Fail in WAEC?

No.

E8 is a Pass.

F9 is the fail grade.

However, E8 is below the credit range and may not meet an admission requirement where a credit is required.

What Is the Lowest Credit in WAEC?

The lowest credit grade is C6.

C6 covers scores from 50% to 54%.

Anything below C6 moves into the pass range:

• D7
• E8

F9 is a fail.

What Is the Highest Grade in WAEC?

The highest WAEC grade is A1.

A1 covers 75% to 100%.

It means Excellent.

How WAEC Grades Affect Your Admission

Suppose your WAEC result looks like this:

You have credit grades in all six subjects.

That is a strong result.

But your admission eligibility will still depend on the requirements for your chosen course.

For example, if a course requires Physics and Chemistry, you must check those subjects specifically.

Can I Combine WAEC Results?

Some candidates use more than one O’Level result for admission.

WAEC’s current information confirms that results from different WASSCE examinations can be combined for admission purposes.

However, you should always check the requirements of your chosen institution and course.

Do not assume that every school has exactly the same rule.

WAEC Grading System for JAMB Admission

JAMB admission does not work by simply adding all your WAEC grades together.

Your WAEC result provides your O’Level qualifications.

Your JAMB UTME score is a separate part of the admission process.

Your institution may also have its own screening or admission rules.

This is why you should look at the complete admission requirements rather than focusing only on your WAEC grades.

Useful O3SCHOOLS JAMB Resource

O3SCHOOLS JAMB App for Android

O3SCHOOLS JAMB App for iPhone and iPad

O3SCHOOLS JAMB App for PC/Desktop

WAEC Grading System for 2027 Candidates

If you are preparing for WAEC 2027, learn the grading system before the examination.

Knowing the grades can help you set a clear target.

Instead of saying:

“I want to pass Mathematics.”

Set a better target:

“I want at least a C4 in Mathematics.”

Or:

“My target is A1.”

This gives you something clear to work towards.

Do not, however, focus only on the grade.

Focus on understanding the subject.

Good preparation is what gives you a better chance of getting the grade you want.

How to Get A1 in WAEC

There is no secret formula for getting A1.

You need good preparation.

Study the WAEC Syllabus

Start with the syllabus.

It shows the areas you need to cover.

WAEC Syllabus for All Subjects

You can also study individual subjects.

WAEC Mathematics Syllabus

WAEC English Language Syllabus

WAEC Physics Syllabus

WAEC Chemistry Syllabus

WAEC Biology Syllabus

Practise WAEC Past Questions

Past questions help you understand how questions are asked.

They also help you improve your speed.

But do not use them to guess the exact questions that will appear.

WAEC Past Questions and Answers

Use Online Lessons

If you do not understand a topic, look for a clear explanation.

O3SCHOOLS provides online lessons for many WAEC subjects.

Watch the lesson.

Take notes.

Then answer questions on the topic.

Practise Regularly

Do not study for one week and stop for one month.

Short, regular study sessions are better.

Review Your Mistakes

Your mistakes can show you where you need more work.

Keep a list of difficult topics.

Revise them often.

WAEC Grading System and Past Questions

One good way to improve your grade is to practise past questions after studying each topic.

For example:

Study Quadratic Equations.

Then answer WAEC Mathematics questions on Quadratic Equations.

Check your answers.

Find your mistakes.

Study the topic again.

Then try another set.

The same method works for Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Economics, Government and other subjects.

WAEC Grading System and CBT Practice

CBT practice can help you improve your speed and accuracy.

It is useful for objective questions.

When practising:

1. Read the question carefully.
2. Try to solve it yourself.
3. Choose your answer.
4. Move to the next question.
5. Check your result at the end.
6. Study the questions you missed.

Do not focus only on your score.

Look at why you got a question wrong.

That is where you learn.

O3SCHOOLS WAEC App

Android:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.iafsawii.o3schools.waec&hl=en

iPhone and iPad:
https://apps.apple.com/pk/app/o3schools-ssce-app/id6754449261

PC/Desktop/Laptop:
https://o3schools.com/waecapp

WAEC Grading System Frequently Asked Questions

What is the WAEC grading system?

WAEC uses grades from A1 to F9 to show a candidate’s performance in each subject.

What mark is A1 in WAEC?

A1 is 75%–100% and means Excellent.

What mark is B2 in WAEC?

B2 is 70%–74% and means Very Good.

What mark is B3 in WAEC?

B3 is 65%–69% and means Good.

What mark is C4 in WAEC?

C4 is 60%–64% and means Credit.

What mark is C5 in WAEC?

C5 is 55%–59% and means Credit.

What mark is C6 in WAEC?

C6 is 50%–54% and means Credit.

What mark is D7 in WAEC?

D7 is 45%–49% and means Pass.

What mark is E8 in WAEC?

E8 is 40%–44% and means Pass.

What mark is F9 in WAEC?

F9 is 0%–39% and means Fail.

Is C6 a credit in WAEC?

Yes. C6 is the lowest credit grade in the standard A1–F9 grading scale.

Is D7 a credit in WAEC?

No. D7 is a Pass, not a Credit.

Is E8 a credit in WAEC?

No. E8 is a Pass, not a Credit.

Is F9 a pass in WAEC?

No. F9 means Fail.

What is the best grade in WAEC?

A1 is the highest grade.

What is the lowest grade in WAEC?

F9 is the lowest grade.

Which WAEC grades are credits?

A1, B2, B3, C4, C5 and C6 are credit grades.

Can I gain admission with D7?

It depends on the subject and admission requirement. If the institution requires a credit, D7 does not meet that requirement.

How many credits do I need in WAEC for university?

Many Nigerian institutions require five relevant O’Level credits, often including English Language and Mathematics. However, requirements vary by course and institution.

Can I combine two WAEC results?

WAEC allows candidates to combine results from different WASSCE examinations for admission purposes, but you should check the rules of your chosen institution and course.

Related WAEC Resources

Continue your preparation with these O3SCHOOLS guides:

WAEC Certificate: How to Get, Collect and Replace a Lost Certificate

How to Check WAEC Result Online

WAEC Terms: Held, Withheld, Outstanding and No Result

How to Correct Name and Date of Birth on WAEC Result

How to Retrieve a Lost WAEC Certificate

WAEC Attestation Certificate and Replacement for Misplaced Certificates

WAEC Original Certificate Collection Guidelines

WAEC Syllabus for All Subjects

WAEC Timetable

WAEC Registration 2027

WAEC GCE Registration

Final Words

Understanding the WAEC grading system makes it easier to understand your result.

Remember the basic order:

A1 → B2 → B3 → C4 → C5 → C6 → D7 → E8 → F9

A1 is Excellent.

B2 is Very Good.

B3 is Good.

C4, C5 and C6 are Credits.

D7 and E8 are Passes.

F9 is Fail.

If you are preparing for WAEC, do not study only to avoid F9.

Set a higher target.

Aim for the best grade you can get.

Study the syllabus.

Practise past questions.

Use online lessons.

Test yourself.

And keep working on your weak subjects.

Your WAEC grade is the result of your preparation. Start early and prepare well.