National Examinations Council
NECO SSCE: how it works and what to study
The Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) set by the National Examinations Council is Nigeria's other final secondary school exam. It is accepted alongside WAEC for admission, and many students write both.
- Subjects
- Usually 7 to 9
- Compulsory
- English and Mathematics
- Papers
- Objective + theory (+ practical)
- Grades
- A1 to F9; C6 or better is a credit
Formats can change from year to year. Always confirm with NECO.
NECO subjects: topics to study
Pick a subject to see every topic, grouped by section, with tips on how NECO tests it.
- NECO English28 topics
- NECO Mathematics37 topics
- NECO Biology36 topics
- NECO Chemistry36 topics
- NECO Physics38 topics
- NECO Economics27 topics
- NECO Government23 topics
- NECO Literature in English16 topics
- NECO Geography23 topics
- NECO Commerce20 topics
- NECO Financial Accounting22 topics
- NECO Christian Religious Studies18 topics
- NECO Islamic Religious Studies15 topics
NECO questions
Is NECO accepted for university admission?
Yes. Nigerian universities accept NECO SSCE results like WAEC results, and many let you combine the two to make up your five credits. Check your school's rules for combining results.
When is NECO written?
The internal (school) SSCE usually runs around June and July, and the external exam for private candidates later in the year. Check the current timetable on the NECO website.
Is the NECO syllabus different from WAEC's?
Both follow the national senior secondary curriculum, so the topics are largely the same. Question style and emphasis differ a little, so practise with both kinds of questions.
Get ready for NECO.
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