Junior WAEC 2026 (BECE): Timetable & Dates by State

“Junior WAEC” is the everyday name for the BECE — the Basic Education Certificate Examination that JSS3 students sit at the end of junior secondary school. There is no single national “Junior WAEC” timetable in Nigeria, because the exam is run by NECO (the national BECE) and by each State Ministry of Education (the state BECE) on different dates. WAEC itself no longer conducts the junior exam in Nigeria.

Which BECE is your child sitting? Federal-government and unity schools sit the NECO BECE. Most state-owned and private schools sit their State BECE. The dates are different — always confirm with the school.

NECO BECE 2026 (national)

The National Examinations Council conducts the national BECE for JSS3 candidates in federal and unity schools. The 2026 NECO BECE ran from Monday, 20 April to Thursday, 30 April 2026. NECO releases one national timetable each year covering all subjects.

State BECE (Junior WAEC in your state)

Each state organises its own BECE with a separate timetable, usually between May and July. Dates vary widely from state to state. For example, Lagos State scheduled its 2026 BECE from 29 June to 6 July 2026. Other states set their own windows, so there is no single date that applies everywhere.

How to find your state’s Junior WAEC date

Ask the school first — JSS3 form teachers receive the official timetable and subject order directly.
Check your State Ministry of Education or State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) announcements.
For federal and unity schools, use the NECO national BECE timetable.
Treat social-media timetables with caution — confirm any date against the school or the ministry before relying on it.

BECE subjects

Candidates are examined in core and vocational subjects including English Studies, Mathematics, Basic Science and Technology, National Values (Civic, Social Studies and Security), Pre-vocational Studies, Religion and National Values, a Nigerian language, Business Studies, Cultural and Creative Arts, and French or Arabic where offered. The exact papers and order appear on your NECO or state timetable.

Junior WAEC vs Senior WAEC

The BECE (Junior WAEC) is taken at the end of JSS3 and leads into senior secondary school. The WASSCE (often just “WAEC”) is the senior exam taken in SS3. If you are looking for the senior May/June timetable, see the WAEC (WASSCE) 2026 timetable.

Independent reference site, not affiliated with WAEC, NECO or any State Ministry of Education. Dates verified July 2026; because state BECE schedules change each year and differ by state, always confirm with your school or State Ministry of Education.