Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has announced that the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) will now be conducted over eight days, giving candidates more time between papers to prepare and reduce examination pressure.

BECE Schedule Expanded to Eight Days

The Minister for Education, , has announced a significant change to the administration of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), revealing that the examination will now be conducted over an eight-day period.

Under the new arrangement, the examination will begin on a Wednesday and conclude on the following Wednesday, replacing the previous compressed schedule.

According to the Minister, the revised timetable is intended to provide candidates with adequate preparation time between examination papers and reduce the pressure associated with writing multiple subjects within a short period.

Reform Aimed at Improving Candidate Performance

Speaking on the rationale behind the decision, Mr. Iddrisu explained that extending the duration of the examination would allow students to better manage their revision and preparation during the examination period.

The Minister noted that spacing out the papers is expected to improve concentration levels among candidates and create a more learner-friendly assessment environment.

Education experts have long argued that excessive examination congestion can affect candidate performance, particularly at the basic school level where learners are transitioning to senior high school.

Relief for Candidates and Parents

The new format is likely to be welcomed by many candidates, parents, and teachers who have consistently raised concerns about the intensity of the traditional BECE timetable.

With additional days between some subjects, candidates will have opportunities to revise specific content areas before sitting for subsequent papers.

Teachers are also expected to use the intervals to provide guidance and academic support to students throughout the examination period.

Part of Broader Examination Reforms

The announcement forms part of ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Education to improve assessment systems within Ghana’s pre-tertiary education sector.

Stakeholders anticipate that further details, including the official timetable and implementation guidelines, will be released by the (WAEC) ahead of the examination period.

The revised schedule is expected to affect thousands of candidates across the country who will sit for future editions of the BECE.

What the New Format Means

The extended examination period is expected to:

• Reduce examination-related stress among candidates.
• Provide more time for revision between papers.
• Improve concentration and performance.
• Enhance the overall examination experience.
• Support a more learner-centred assessment process.

Education stakeholders will be monitoring the implementation of the new format to assess its impact on student outcomes and examination administration.

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