The WAEC GCE Timetable for 2026 First Series has been officially released by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC). This schedule guides candidates on the exact dates and times for each subject paper. If you’re writing the 2026 GCE exams, this guide helps you plan your study time and be fully prepared for every subject.
The WAEC GCE (General Certificate Examination) First Series is mainly for private candidates and is usually written between January and February each year.
When Does the 2026 WAEC GCE First Series Start and End?
The 2026 First Series WAEC GCE exam starts on Wednesday, 28th January 2026 and ends on Saturday, 14th February 2026.
These two weeks cover all the subjects you registered for in your WAEC GCE registration. The timetable is structured so that objective (multiple-choice) papers and essay/theory papers can be written without clash on the same day.
Full WAEC GCE 2026 Timetable (First Series)
Wednesday, 28 January 2026
Paper Code
Subject
Paper Type
Duration
Time
PC3272
Hausa
Essay
2 Hours
9:30am – 11:30am
PC3282
Igbo
Essay
2 Hours
9:30am – 11:30am
PC3292
Yoruba
Essay
2 Hours
9:30am – 11:30am
PC3271
Hausa
Objective
1 Hour
11:30am – 12:30pm
PC3281
Igbo
Objective
1 Hour
11:30am – 12:30pm
PC3291
Yoruba
Objective
1 Hour
11:30am – 12:30pm
Thursday, 29 January 2026
Paper Code
Subject
Paper Type
Duration
Time
PC5042
Biology
Essay
1 hr 40 mins
9:30am – 11:10am
PC5041
Biology
Objective
50 mins
11:10am – 12:00pm
PC5043
Biology
Alternative to Practical
2 Hours
2:00pm – 4:00pm
Friday, 30 January 2026
Paper Code
Subject
Paper Type
Duration
Time
PC1042
Financial Accounting
Theory & Practical
2 hrs 30 mins
9:30am – 12:00pm
PC1041
Financial Accounting
Objective
1 Hour
12:00pm – 1:00pm
Saturday, 31 January 2026
Paper Code
Subject
Paper Type
Duration
Time
PC4022
General Mathematics (Core)
Essay
2 hrs 30 mins
9:30am – 12:00pm
PC4021
General Mathematics (Core)
Objective
1 hr 30 mins
2:00pm – 3:30pm
Tuesday, 3 February 2026
Paper Code
Subject
Paper Type
Duration
Time
PC5022
Agricultural Science
Essay
2 hrs 10 mins
9:30am – 11:40am
PC5021
Agricultural Science
Objective
50 mins
11:40am – 12:30pm
PC5023
Agricultural Science
Alternative to Practical
1 hr 30 mins
2:00pm – 3:30pm
Wednesday, 4 February 2026
Paper Code
Subject
Paper Type
Duration
Time
PC2022
Christian Religious Studies
Essay
2 Hours
9:30am – 11:30am
PC2082
Islamic Studies
Essay
2 Hours
9:30am – 11:30am
PC2021
Christian Religious Studies
Objective
1 Hour
11:30am – 12:30pm
PC2081
Islamic Studies
Objective
1 Hour
11:30am – 12:30pm
Thursday, 5 February 2026
Paper Code
Subject
Paper Type
Duration
Time
PC5122
Physics
Essay
1 hr 30 mins
9:30am – 11:00am
PC5121
Physics
Objective
1 hr 15 mins
11:00am – 12:15pm
PC5123
Physics
Alternative to Practical
2 hrs 45 mins
2:00pm – 4:45pm
Friday, 6 February 2026
Paper Code
Subject
Paper Type
Duration
Time
PC2042
Geography
Essay
2 Hours
9:30am – 11:30am
PC2041
Geography
Objective
1 Hour
11:30am – 12:30pm
PC2043
Geography
Practical
1 hr 50 mins
3:30pm – 5:20pm
Saturday, 7 February 2026
Paper Code
Subject
Paper Type
Duration
Time
PC3022
English Language
Essay
2 Hours
9:30am – 11:30am
PC3021
English Language
Objective
1 Hour
11:30am – 12:30pm
PC3023/B
English Language
Test of Orals
45 mins
2:00pm – 2:45pm
Monday, 9 February 2026
Paper Code
Subject
Paper Type
Duration
Time
PC5052
Chemistry
Essay
2 Hours
9:30am – 11:30am
PC5051
Chemistry
Objective
1 Hour
11:30am – 12:30pm
PC5053
Chemistry
Alternative to Practical
1 hr 30 mins
2:00pm – 3:30pm
Tuesday, 10 February 2026
Paper Code
Subject
Paper Type
Duration
Time
PC2102
Literature-in-English
Prose
1 hr 15 mins
9:30am – 10:45am
PC2101
Literature-in-English
Objective
1 Hour
10:45am – 11:45am
Wednesday, 11 February 2026
Paper Code
Subject
Paper Type
Duration
Time
PC4012
Further Mathematics (Elective)
Essay
2 hrs 30 mins
9:30am – 12:00pm
PC4011
Further Mathematics (Elective)
Objective
1 hr 30 mins
2:00pm – 3:30pm
Thursday, 12 February 2026
Paper Code
Subject
Paper Type
Duration
Time
PC2032
Economics
Essay
2 Hours
9:30am – 11:30am
PC2031
Economics
Objective
1 Hour
11:30am – 12:30pm
PC2103
Literature-in-English
Drama & Poetry
2 hrs 30 mins
2:00pm – 4:30pm
Friday, 13 February 2026
Paper Code
Subject
Paper Type
Duration
Time
PC2052
Government
Essay
2 Hours
9:30am – 11:30am
PC2051
Government
Objective
1 Hour
11:30am – 12:30pm
PC1032
Commerce
Essay
2 Hours
3:30pm – 5:30pm
PC1031
Commerce
Objective
50 mins
5:30pm – 6:20pm
Saturday, 14 February 2026
Paper Code
Subject
Paper Type
Duration
Time
PC2162
Civic Education
Essay
2 Hours
9:30am – 11:30am
PC2161
Civic Education
Objective
1 Hour
11:30am – 12:30pm
Conclusion
The WAEC GCE Timetable for 2026 First Series is a vital tool for every exam candidate. It tells you exactly when each subject paper will be written, and if used wisely, it can make your revision more organised and less stressful. With exams set from 28th January to 14th February 2026, candidates should begin studying early, follow the timetable closely, and practise past questions to succeed.
Be sure to download the official timetable PDF, plan your days wisely, and approach the exams with confidence. Good luck
Promise Jackson