NECO Releases 2026 BECE (Junior WAEC) Timetable; The National Examinations Council (NECO) has officially released the timetable for the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), also known as Junior WAEC.
According to the released schedule, the examination will run from Monday, 20 April 2026 to Thursday, 30 April 2026. This timetable provides fixed dates and times for every subject, helping schools, parents, and candidates plan their preparation early.
2026 NECO BECE Timetable
Monday, 20 April 2026
- Paper III: Practical: Business Studies — 20 minutes — 10:00 am to 10:20 am
Tuesday, 21 April 2026
- Paper II: Computer Practical: Basic Science and Technology (BST) — 45 minutes — 10:00 am to 10:45 am
Wednesday, 22 April 2026
- Paper IV: Drawing: Basic Science and Technology (BST) — 45 minutes — 10:00 am to 10:45 am
- Paper III: Practical: Cultural and Creative Arts (CCA) — 1 hour — 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Thursday, 23 April 2026
- Paper I: Objective: History — 1 hour — 10:00 am to 11:00 am
- Paper I: Objective: History — 1 hour — 11:00 am to 12:00 noon
- Paper I: Objective: Hausa L1 — 1 hour — 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm
- Paper I: Objective: Igbo L1 — 1 hour — 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm
- Paper I: Objective: Yoruba L1 — 1 hour — 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm
- Paper I: Objective: Hausa L2 — 1 hour — 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm
- Paper I: Objective: Igbo L2 — 1 hour — 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm
- Paper I: Objective: Yoruba L2 — 1 hour — 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm
- Paper II: Objective: Hausa L1 — 1 hour — 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm
- Paper II: Objective: Igbo L1 — 1 hour — 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm
- Paper II: Objective: Yoruba L1 — 1 hour — 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Friday, 24 April 2026
- Paper I: Objective: Christian Religious Studies — 1 hour — 10:00 am to 11:00 am
- Paper I: Objective: Islamic Studies — 1 hour — 10:00 am to 11:00 am
- Paper II: Objective: Christian Religious Studies — 1 hour — 11:00 am to 12:00 noon
- Paper II: Objective: Islamic Studies — 1 hour — 11:00 am to 12:00 noon
Saturday, 25 April 2026
- Paper I: Objective: Mathematics — 1 hour 20 minutes — 10:00 am to 11:20 am
- Paper II: Objective: Mathematics — 1 hour 20 minutes — 11:20 am to 12:40 pm
- Paper III: Essay: Mathematics — 40 minutes — 2:30 pm to 3:10 pm
Monday, 27 April 2026
- Paper I: Objective: Cultural and Creative Arts (CCA) — 1 hour — 10:00 am to 11:00 am
- Paper II: Objective: Cultural and Creative Arts (CCA) — 1 hour — 11:00 am to 12:00 noon
- Paper I: Objective: Business Studies — 1 hour — 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm
- Paper II: Objective: Business Studies — 1 hour — 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Tuesday, 28 April 2026
- Paper I: Objective: Basic Science and Technology (BST) — 1 hour — 10:00 am to 11:00 am
- Paper II: Objective: Basic Science and Technology (BST) — 1 hour — 11:00 am to 12:00 noon
- Paper I: Objective: Pre-Vocational Studies (PVS) — 1 hour — 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm
- Paper II: Objective: Pre-Vocational Studies (PVS) — 1 hour — 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Wednesday, 29 April 2026
- Paper I: Objective: English Studies — 1 hour 20 minutes — 10:00 am to 11:20 am
- Paper II: Objective: English Studies — 40 minutes — 11:20 am to 12:00 noon
- Paper III: Essay: English Studies — 45 minutes — 1:15 pm to 2:00 pm
- Paper I: Objective: Arabic Language — 1 hour — 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm
- Paper II: Objective: Arabic Language — 1 hour — 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Thursday, 30 April 2026
- Paper I: Objective: National Values Education (NVE) — 1 hour — 10:00 am to 11:00 am
- Paper II: Objective: National Values Education (NVE) — 1 hour — 11:00 am to 12:00 noon
- Paper I: Objective: French Language — 1 hour — 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm
- Paper II: Objective: French Language — 1 hour — 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Important Instructions for Schools and Candidates
NECO also released important guidelines that schools and candidates must follow strictly during the examination period.
- Every candidate must have a photocard for identification.
- Where the time on the question paper differs from the timetable, the time on the question paper must be followed strictly.
- Practicals in Business Studies and Basic Science and Technology (BST) should be conducted in sets where the number of candidates is large and equipment is limited.
- The practical examination must not go beyond 5:00 pm.
- Computers can be used for Business Studies practicals.
- Albino and blind candidates must be given 30 minutes extra time in all subjects.
- Blind candidates must use the NECO-supplied OBR Customised Braille Sheet during the examination.
- The use of simple calculators is allowed.
- Electronic communication devices are strictly banned in the examination hall. This includes:
- Programmable calculators
- Mobile phones
- iPads
- Tablets
- Smart wrist watches
- Smart glasses
- Smart pens
Candidates and schools are advised to study the timetable carefully and prepare early to avoid missing any scheduled paper.
