WASSCE 2025: Candidates who relied solely on ‘rote learning’ struggled to apply knowledge – WAEC

December 1, 2025 1

The Head of Public Relations at the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), John Kapi, has said the decline in performance, particularly in Social Studies and Core Mathematics in the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) as contained in the provisional results released at the weekend, was a reflection of the significant gap in students’ understanding and the ability to apply knowledge.

Speaking in a television interview with TV3 on the programme Big Issues, Mr Kapi said, “candidates who relied solely on “rote learning,” struggled to apply their knowledge in the 2025 exams.

“The questions required explanation in addition to factual recall, much like standards expected at the tertiary level. Those who were unable to adapt found subjects such as Social Studies particularly challenging,” he said.