Please note
Belmadeng is an independent study platform and is not affiliated with WAEC or NECO. In Nigeria, “GCE” means the WAEC GCE and NECO GCE for private candidates. Register and check results only on the official WAEC (waec.org.ng, waecdirect.org) and NECO (neco.gov.ng, results.neco.gov.ng) websites, and never enter your details on look-alike sites.
How many subjects
Most GCE candidates register eight or nine subjects — enough to secure the five credits you need, including the subjects your intended course requires.
Compulsory subjects
English Language and Mathematics are compulsory, alongside the core subjects for your stream (sciences, arts or commercial).
Choosing for your course
Pick subjects around your intended course: sciences for Medicine/Engineering, commercial subjects for business, arts subjects for Law/Mass Communication. Our course profiles and subject-combination checker show what each course needs.
Credits you need
Most courses require at least five credits (C6+), including English and Mathematics. A “pass” (D7/E8) does not count — GCE uses the same A1–F9 grading as the school exam.
Combining sittings
If you don’t get all five credits in one sitting, you can usually combine two sittings — for example a GCE with a previous WASSCE/SSCE — for admission.
Tips
- Focus on quality credits, not just many subjects.
- Confirm your course’s exact subjects before registering.
- Upload your O’Level to your JAMB profile.
How many subjects to register
Each body sets a minimum and maximum number of subjects per GCE sitting (commonly around six to nine). Register enough to cover your target course's requirements with some margin — but if you're only sitting the GCE to add or improve specific subjects, you can register just those. English and Mathematics should be on your list unless you already hold credits in them, since admission needs credits in both. Anchor on your two non-negotiables, then build outward.
Choosing by your track
Match subjects to your intended field:
- Sciences/medicine/engineering: English, Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology.
- Commercial/management: English, Maths, Economics, Accounting, Commerce.
- Arts/humanities/law: English, Maths, Literature, Government, History, a language.
Check your target course's exact O'Level requirements before registering, so your combination actually qualifies you — a missing required subject can block admission even with good grades elsewhere.
Registering with combining in mind
If you're using the GCE to complete a two-sitting combination, register strategically: identify exactly which credits you're missing from your earlier sitting, and register the GCE for those subjects (plus any you want to improve). This targeted approach saves fees and preparation, and ensures your combined five credits (including English and Maths) line up cleanly for admission. Confirm your institution accepts a two-sitting combination for your course before relying on it.
Frequently asked questions
How many subjects should I register for the GCE?
Most candidates register eight or nine — enough to secure at least five credits including the subjects their course requires.
Are English and Maths compulsory for the GCE?
Yes — both are compulsory, alongside the core subjects for your stream.
Which GCE subjects do I need for my course?
It depends on the course — sciences for Medicine/Engineering, commercial subjects for business, arts subjects for Law/Mass Communication. Check your course profile and the subject-combination checker.
How many credits do I need for university with the GCE?
At least five credits (C6+), including English and Mathematics, plus any course-specific subjects.
Can I combine GCE subjects with another sitting?
Yes — you can usually combine up to two sittings (e.g. a GCE and a WASSCE) to make up your five credits.
How many subjects can I register for the GCE?
Each body sets a minimum and maximum per sitting (commonly around six to nine). Register enough to cover your target course's requirements with some margin — or, if you're only adding/improving specific subjects, just those. Include English and Maths unless you already hold credits in them.
Which subjects should I choose for the GCE?
Match them to your intended field: sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Biology), commercial (Economics, Accounting, Commerce), or arts (Literature, Government, History, a language) — always with English and Maths. Check your target course's exact O'Level requirements before registering.
Are English and Maths compulsory for the GCE?
They should be on your list unless you already hold credits in them, since admission requires credits in both. If you're re-sitting only to add or improve specific subjects, register the ones you actually need — but most candidates ensure English and Maths are covered.
How do I choose GCE subjects to combine with an earlier sitting?
Identify exactly which credits you're missing from your earlier sitting and register the GCE for those subjects (plus any to improve). This targeted approach saves fees and ensures your combined five credits, including English and Maths, line up for admission.
What if I register the wrong GCE subjects?
A missing required subject can block admission even with good grades elsewhere, and changing registration may be limited. Confirm your target course's O'Level requirements before registering so your combination qualifies you the first time.