BECE grading system: a comprehensive guide to the evaluation process
BECE is the main exam for junior high school education in Ghana and can even pave the way for a student to join technical institutes. Depending on their BECE marks and grades, students can join senior high school vocational institutes. A comprehensive understanding of the BECE grading system is essential for students, parents, and educators to interpret and appreciate examination results accurately.
Source: UGC
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The Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) is a pivotal assessment for Ghana's Junior High School (JHS) students. It serves as a bridge between junior high school and senior high school and determines students' eligibility for further education.
BECE grading system
The grading system for BECE in 2024 is standardised to evaluate students' performance across various subjects. This grading system is designed to provide a fair and accurate reflection of a student's academic abilities and readiness for the next level of education.
BECE grading system for JHS
The BECE grading system for Junior High School is structured to assess students in core subjects such as Mathematics, English Language, Integrated Science, and Social Studies, along with electives depending on the student's chosen track.
Each subject is graded on a scale from 1 to 9, where 1 represents the highest score and 9 indicates the lowest.
What is the new grading system for BECE?
The table below shows the grade interpretations in the new grading system:
| Grade | Score | Interpretation |
| 1 | 90-100 Grade A+ | Highest |
| 2 | 80-89 Grade A | Higher |
| 3 | 70-79 Grade B+ | High |
| 4 | 60-69 Grade B | High Average |
| 5 | 55-60 Grade C+ | Average |
| 6 | 50-54 Grade C | Low Average |
| 7 | 40-49 Grade D+ | Low |
| 8 | 35-39 Grade E | Lower |
| 9 | 0-34 Grade F | Low |
How to calculate BECE grades
Calculating BECE grades involves a straightforward process. Here is a step-by-step guide to help students understand how their final grades are determined:
- Each subject has a specific weight based on its importance and difficulty level.
- Using the earlier grading scale, students must convert their raw scores into grade points.
- Add the grade points for all subjects to obtain a cumulative score.
- Divide the total grade points by the number of subjects to find the average grade point.
- Use the average grade point to assign the final grade according to the grading scale.
For example, if a student scores the following in five subjects: Mathematics (B2), English Language (A1), Integrated Science (C3), Social Studies (B2), and an elective (D), their grade points would be:
- Mathematics: 5
- English Language: 1
- Integrated Science: 7
- Social Studies: 5
- Elective: 10
Total Grade Points = 5 + 1 + 7 + 5 + 10 = 28
Average Grade Point = 28 / 5 = 5.6
Using the grading scale, this average corresponds to a B2.
Source: UGC
What subjects are written during the BECE examination?
WAEC tests students in the following subjects:
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Science
- Social Studies
- Religious and Moral Education
- Ghanaian Language
- Creative Art and Design
- Computing
- Career Technology
- Arabic
- French
Why is BECE important?
BECE is crucial because it assesses students' performance and qualifies them to transition from Junior High School to Senior High School or technical/vocational schools.
What is the BECE performance rate in Ghana?
The average pass rate has been reported to range between 60% and 70% in recent years. Some regions and schools have surpassed this, especially where targeted educational interventions have been implemented.
The BECE grading system is a vital component of the educational journey for JHS students in Ghana. Understanding navigating this system empowers students to take charge of their academic performance.
Yen.com.gh recently published an article about the NTC exam registration. The National Teaching Council of Ghana is mandated by the Education Act of 2008 to improve teachers' professional status and standing.
The agency also registers and licenses all tutors nationwide. The NTC exam registration process is straightforward. You must sit for the test and pass to qualify.
Source: YEN.com.gh
Chris Ndetei (Lifestyle writer) Christopher Ndetei is a junior reporter writer who joined the Yen team in May 2021. He graduated from the Machakos Technical College in 2009 with a diploma in ICT. Chris has over two years of experience in content creation and more than ten working in the hospitality industry. He covers lifestyle/entertainment, focusing on biographies, life hacks, gaming and guides. In 2023, Christopher finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. You can reach him at chrisndetei@gmail.com
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