The council announced the extension on Saturday through its official X handle, moving the deadline to Friday, August 28, 2026.
“Registration for the WASSCE for Private Candidates, 2026 – Second Series has now been extended to Friday, 28 August 2026,” WAEC said.
The examination body urged eligible candidates who are yet to register to take advantage of the additional period and complete their registration before the new deadline.
The examination, popularly known as WAEC GCE, is designed for candidates who are not currently enrolled in conventional secondary schools. It also provides an opportunity for individuals seeking to obtain their Senior School Certificate results or improve previously obtained O’Level grades.
According to WAEC, the 2026 Second Series examination will be conducted entirely as a Computer-Based Examination (CBE), marking the continued shift towards computer-based testing for private candidates.
The registration fee remains N37,000, while the examination is scheduled to hold between September and October 2026.
WAEC has also advised prospective candidates to visit the nearest WAEC office in their respective states to confirm the available examination towns before completing their registration. The advice is intended to help candidates select suitable examination locations and avoid difficulties during the registration process.
Registration for the 2026 WASSCE for Private Candidates, Second Series began on May 4, 2026. The latest extension supersedes the earlier deadline of July 31, 2026.
With the new August 28 deadline, candidates who had not completed their registration now have an additional opportunity to register for the examination ahead of its September-October schedule.