BECE questions, answers and notes that you are likely to encounter
The Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) 2026 was held from 4–11 May 2026, with results released on 21 July 2026. Students preparing for the 2027 sitting, or reviewing 2026 results, will find that past BECE questions and answers are the most reliable revision tool available.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- BECE 2026 timetable
- 2026 BECE results
- About the BECE
- BECE questions and answers from past papers
- BECE questions and answers for English
- BECE questions and answers for Social Studies
- BECE Maths past questions
- BECE questions and answers for Science
- BECE Religion and Moral Education questions
- BECE Basic Design and Technology questions
- BECE ICT questions
- BECE French questions
- BECE questions for the Ghanaian language
- Where can you get BECE past questions?
- What type of test is a BECE?
- What are the BECE Pre-Vocational Studies?
- How do schools register for BECE?
- Who sets BECE exams?
- How can one become a BECE examiner?
- How are BECE questions set?
- Can one re-sit BECE exams?
- Does WAEC upgrade BECE results?
- Frequently asked questions
Key takeaways
- WAEC administers the BECE annually for Junior High School 3 students in Ghana.
- Revising past BECE questions familiarises candidates with the exam format and highlights recurring topics.
- The 2026 BECE covered eight mandatory and optional subjects across a single week.
- Results for 2026 were released on 21 July 2026; 620,243 candidates sat the examination.
- Free past papers from 1990 to 2026 are available on platforms such as Passco.com.gh and Kuulchat.
BECE 2026 timetable
The 2026 BECE ran from Monday 4 May to Monday 11 May 2026. Examinations began at 8:30 am each day and both papers for each subject were sat in a single sitting without breaks.
Date | Subjects |
Monday, 4 May 2026 | English Language; Religious and Moral Education |
Tuesday, 5 May 2026 | Social Studies; Creative Art & Design |
Wednesday, 6 May 2026 | Integrated Science; Career Technology |
Thursday, 7 May 2026 | Mathematics; Ghanaian Language |
Friday, 8 May 2026 | French; Computing |
Monday, 11 May 2026 | Arabic |
Candidates with visual or hearing impairments received 50% additional time.
2026 BECE results
WAEC released provisional 2026 BECE results on 21 July 2026 following its 37th Final Awards and Examiners' Appointment Committee meeting. Key figures:
- 620,243 candidates sat the examination (304,415 males; 315,828 females)
- 20,789 schools participated
- Results of 2,722 candidates from 229 schools were withheld pending further scrutiny
Candidates can check results via the official WAEC results portal using a valid Results Checker voucher. Schools also receive results through District Directors of Education.
About the BECE
Upon completing three years of junior high school in Ghana, students sit the national BECE. Successful candidates progress to senior secondary schools and technical institutes. BECE results combine Continuous Assessment (30%) and external examination (70%).
Mandatory subjects:
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Integrated Science
- Social Studies
- Religious and Moral Education
- French
Optional subjects:
- Ghanaian Language
- Career Technology
- Computing
- Creative Arts and Design
- Arabic
Each subject comprises two papers: an objective test (40 questions) and an essay test.
BECE questions and answers from past papers
Students must revise BECE past papers because some questions are repeated in subsequent exams. The samples below are drawn from past BECE objective and essay papers across all compulsory subjects.
BECE questions and answers for English
Paper 1: Lexis and structure (Part A)
- Sound recognition: "Which of these contains the sound /uː/ as in 'shoot'?" — Answer: blue
- Verb agreement: "Every one of the students ___ to be excited about the excursion." — Answer: seems
- Question tags: "We should assist the poor, ___?" — Answer: shouldn't we
Paper 1: Literature (Part B)
Literature questions draw on set texts including Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens and The Dilemma of a Ghost. Candidates are tested on:
- Character identification from plot passages
- Literary device recognition (hyperbole, alliteration, rhyme schemes)
- Setting and context comprehension
Paper 2: Comprehension
Passages are adapted from works such as Things Fall Apart. Question types include:
- Identifying literary devices (onomatopoeia, personification)
- Selecting the correct answer from multiple options
- Extracting contextual word meanings
Source: Getty Images
BECE questions and answers for Social Studies
Paper 1: Objective test
- "Some Ghanaians mishandle the Cedi Notes by ___" — Answer: crumpling it
- "A major way of spreading HIV and AIDS is through ___" — Answer: indiscriminate sexual relations
- "The set of guidelines for governing a nation is provided by the ___" — Answer: constitution
Paper 2: Essay
Essay questions require comparative and descriptive responses. Common topics include:
- Maps versus sketches and cardinal points
- Ghanaian seasonal patterns and cyclonic rainfall mechanisms
- Relief features and forest preservation strategies
BECE Maths past questions
- Set of prime factors of 12 = {2, 3}
- 3a(a – 4b) = 3a² – 12ab
- 5 as a percentage of 4 = 125%
- Mangoes to oranges ratio 3:2; with 36 mangoes → 24 oranges
- Article costing GH¢25 sold for GH¢35 → 40% profit
BECE questions and answers for Science
- "Which human activity contributes to greenhouse gas proliferation?" — Answer: Deforestation
- "The economy reducing environmental risk is ___" — Answer: green economy
- "Which rock is rich in calcium?" — Answer: Limestone
- "IUPAC name for FeO is ___" — Answer: Iron (II) Oxide
- "All elements exist as molecules except ___" — Answer: Carbon
BECE Religion and Moral Education questions
Paper 1: Objective test
- "The Omniscience of God portrays Him as ___" — Answer: all-knowing
- "Jacob's children went to Egypt because ___" — Answer: there was a great famine
- "The aboakyir festival is celebrated by the ___" — Answer: Efutu
- "The Janazah prayer is performed ___" — Answer: when a Muslim dies
- "The outpouring of the Holy Spirit occurred during ___" — Answer: Pentecost
Paper 2: Essay, religion, moral, and social life questions
Essay topics include environmental stewardship through reforestation, historical Islamic contributions (Caliph Abu Bakr's legacy), and community responsibility.
BECE Basic Design and Technology questions
- "The basic stitch which starts all crocheted articles is ___" — Answer: Chain
- "Which is inexpensive to use in a rural area?" — Answer: Coal pot
- "Objects nearer the viewer are in the ___" — Answer: Foreground
- "Rhythm, balance, and emphasis are ___" — Answer: Principles of design
- "The final stage of the design process is the ___" — Answer: Evaluation
BECE ICT questions
- "The brain of the computer is the ___" — Answer: Central processing unit
- "One byte equals ___" — Answer: Eight bits
- "A folder within another folder is called ___" — Answer: Subfolder
- "Copyright laws protect works for author's life plus ___" — Answer: 70 years after death
- "The following cannot be found in the system unit except ___" — Answer: Scroll wheel
BECE French questions
- "Est-ce que tu ___ la vérité?" — Answer: Dis
- "___ pays est en Afrique de l'Ouest." — Answer: Notre
- "A l'âge de deux ans, ___ apprend à parler." — Answer: On
- "Mon pantalon est bleu mais ___ de Pauline est noir" — Answer: Celui
- "La plupart ___ enfants aiment s'amuser." — Answer: Des
BECE questions for the Ghanaian language
Objective questions test cultural knowledge and language comprehension. Fante sample questions are available via WAEC's official sample papers PDF.
Where can you get BECE past questions?
Apps and online platforms:
- Passco.com.gh — free downloads; 2010–2025 papers; mobile app with offline access
- Kuulchat — solve past questions online; papers from 1990 to 2026
- GHLearner — PDF downloads for all subjects
- EduTechGhana — PDF and online practice for all subjects
- Sronu Papers — 2026 BECE Maths past questions with solutions
- TestDriller — timed practice mode
- BECE Past Questions — downloads by subject and year
- Ghana5.com — mobile-optimised PDFs
Additional resources:
- educationnewsconsult.com — 2024 last-hour English and Science questions with answers
- WAEC Ghana — official examiner information and FAQ
What type of test is a BECE?
The BECE is an annual national examination administered at the end of junior secondary schooling in Ghana. It determines whether students progress to senior secondary school or technical education.
What are the BECE Pre-Vocational Studies?
Pre-Vocational programmes prepare JSS students for vocational training or employment. Practical subjects include:
- Basic Design and Technology
- Business Education
- Home Economics
- Agricultural Science
- Technical subjects (drawing, electricity, mechanics, metalwork, woodwork)
- Specialised crafts (leatherwork, sculpture, graphic design, basketry)
How do schools register for BECE?
District Directors of Education oversee candidate registration within their jurisdictions. Schools submit candidate details through the official WAEC system.
Who sets BECE exams?
Examiners who are not current JSS teachers develop individual question papers. All submissions undergo review, and selected questions are compiled into the final examination.
How can one become a BECE examiner?
Minimum requirements:
- Post-Secondary Teachers' Certificate for BECE examiner roles
- University degree in the subject area plus three years of teaching experience for WASSCE, GBCE, or ABCE examiner roles
Qualified applicants submit applications through the WAEC official website. Appointment depends on available subject vacancies.
How are BECE questions set?
Examiners submit individual question papers. A review committee assesses all submissions and compiles the final exam from the strongest questions. No single examiner's paper is used in full.
Can one re-sit BECE exams?
Yes. Candidates may re-sit as private candidates by registering through WAEC's website and submitting biometric fingerprints at an approved centre.
Does WAEC upgrade BECE results?
No. WAEC does not upgrade BECE results. Institutions verify candidate scores directly through WAEC's official systems.
Frequently asked questions
When was the 2026 BECE held?
The 2026 BECE ran from Monday 4 May to Monday 11 May 2026. Examinations started at 8:30 am each day.
When were the 2026 BECE results released?
WAEC released provisional 2026 BECE results on 21 July 2026. Results are accessible via the WAEC results portal using a valid Results Checker voucher.
Where can I download BECE past questions from 1990 to 2026?
Kuulchat covers papers from 1990 to 2026. Passco.com.gh and GHLearner offer free PDF downloads spanning multiple decades.
What subjects are compulsory in the BECE?
English Language, Mathematics, Integrated Science, Social Studies, Religious and Moral Education, and French are compulsory. Ghanaian Language, Career Technology, Computing, Creative Arts and Design, and Arabic are optional.
How are BECE scores calculated?
BECE results combine Continuous Assessment (30%) and the external examination (70%).
If you are committed to passing your forthcoming examination, revise the BECE questions, answers, and notes to improve your understanding. Also, these papers can help you familiarize yourself with the basic instructions that WAEC usually repeats on every paper.
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