Understanding the 2025 BECE Grading System and Pass Marks

By
Ellis Ferdinand
-
Mr Gabriel BECE 2022 June Mock Examination Questions

Ferdinand | EducationGhana |  January 14| Understanding the 2025 BECE Grading System and Pass Marks

 Learn about the 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) grading system, pass marks, and how it impacts student placement in senior high schools.

 

2025 BECE Grading System Explained

The Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) is the gateway to senior high schools and technical institutes in Ghana.

The grading system for the 2025 BECE has been designed to evaluate student performance without showing the term ‘fail’ on result slips.

This approach motivates candidates while maintaining strict standards for placement.

Unlike the WASSCE, which marks scores below 35 as a ‘FAIL,’ the BECE assigns a lowest grade instead, ensuring no candidate explicitly receives a failing status.

However, candidates must aim for the best grades to secure admission to their desired schools.

Students unable to meet the required grades may consider the BECE (Private Candidate), commonly called BECE NOVDEC.

2025 BECE Grading System Overview

Grade Breakdown:

  • 90-100: Grade A, denoted as 1 (“Highest”)
  • 80-89: Grade B+, denoted as 2 (“Higher”)
  • 70-79: Grade B, denoted as 3 (“High”)
  • 60-69: Grade C+, denoted as 4 (“High Average”)
  • 55-59: Grade C, denoted as 5 (“Average”)
  • 50-54: Grade D+, denoted as 6 (“Low Average”)
  • 40-49: Grade D, denoted as 7 (“Low”)
  • 35-39: Grade E, denoted as 8 (“Lower”)
  • 0-34: Grade F, denoted as 9 (“Lowest”)

Grading Highlights:

  1. Norm-Referenced Grading: The BECE often uses the Stanine grading system, a norm-referenced model where results are predetermined based on a fixed percentage. This ensures a balanced distribution of grades but makes achieving top grades highly competitive.
  2. No Explicit Failures: The lowest grade on a BECE result slip is Grade F (9), but this does not explicitly label candidates as failing. However, scoring in this range severely limits progression opportunities.
  3. Impact on School Placement: Achieving grades in the top categories (Grade 1-4) is crucial for placement in competitive senior high schools. Lower grades may result in limited options or necessitate re-examination through BECE NOVDEC.

 

RELATED LINKS

Preparation Tips for 2025 BECE Success

  • Understand Exam Keywords: Familiarize students with key essay and question terms to improve comprehension and answer accuracy.

 

  • Focus on Weak Areas: Use WAEC Chief Examiners’ Reports to identify and address common student weaknesses.

 

  • Practice Past Questions: Regular exposure to past BECE questions helps students anticipate frequently tested topics.

 

  • Time Management: Train students to allocate time effectively across sections during the exam.

Conclusion

The 2025 BECE grading system emphasizes motivation and fair assessment while maintaining high standards for educational progression. Students and educators should leverage this understanding to achieve optimal results and secure placement in their preferred institutions.

 

OTHER IMPORTANT STORIES

Discover more from EducationGhana

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

What's your take on this Latest Development?