Please note
Belmadeng is an independent study platform and is not affiliated with WAEC. This is an informational guide — register and check results only on the official WAEC websites (waec.org.ng and waecdirect.org), buy result-checker PINs only from authorised vendors, and never enter your details on look-alike sites.
The grades (A1–F9)
| Grade | Meaning | Counts as |
|---|
| A1 | Excellent | Credit |
| B2 | Very Good | Credit |
| B3 | Good | Credit |
| C4 | Credit | Credit |
| C5 | Credit | Credit |
| C6 | Credit | Credit (minimum) |
| D7 | Pass | Pass (not credit) |
| E8 | Pass | Pass (not credit) |
| F9 | Fail | Fail |
What counts as a credit
A credit is C6 and above (that is, A1, B2, B3, C4, C5 or C6). This is the level most institutions require.
Credit vs pass vs fail
D7 and E8 are “passes” but not credits — they are usually not accepted for university admission. F9 is a fail. So a “pass” in WAEC is weaker than many students assume.
Credits you need for admission
Most courses require at least five (5) credits, including English Language and Mathematics, plus any subjects specific to your course. Check your course’s exact requirements — our course profiles and subject-combination checker help.
Tips
- Aim for credits (C6+), not just passes, in every course-critical subject.
- A D7/E8 in English or Maths usually means you must resit via GCE.
The A1–F9 scale explained
WAEC grades each subject on a nine-point scale from A1 (highest) to F9 (lowest):
- A1 — Excellent; B2 — Very Good; B3 — Good (the distinction/merit band).
- C4, C5, C6 — Credit passes.
- D7, E8 — Ordinary passes.
- F9 — Fail.
Because admission rules are written in these exact bands, knowing where each grade sits — and the line between a credit and a pass — is essential when you read a result.
Credits, passes and fails
The crucial line is the credit: a credit is C6 or better (A1 through C6). D7 and E8 are passes but not credits — they show you didn't fail, but they generally won't satisfy an admission requirement that asks for a credit. F9 is a fail. This is why a “pass” and a “credit” are not interchangeable: a D7 in Mathematics is a pass, but for most courses it's treated as not meeting the Maths requirement. Aim for C6 and above in every subject that matters to you.
How grades map to admission
For most Nigerian tertiary admission, the requirement is five credit passes (C6+), including English Language and Mathematics, in subjects relevant to your course. So your result is read not as a single average but as a set of individual subject grades against that rule. When your result is out, check each key subject reached C6+, and confirm the specific combination your course needs. If you're short a credit, the WAEC GCE lets you resit before the admission cycle closes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the WAEC grading system?
Grades run A1 (Excellent), B2, B3, C4, C5, C6 (all credits), then D7 and E8 (passes, not credits), and F9 (fail).
What counts as a credit in WAEC?
A credit is C6 and above — A1, B2, B3, C4, C5 or C6.
Is D7 a pass or a fail in WAEC?
D7 is a pass, but it is not a credit, and it is usually not accepted for university admission.
How many credits do I need for university?
Most courses need at least five credits, including English Language and Mathematics, plus any course-specific subjects.
What is the highest WAEC grade?
A1, which means Excellent.
What is the WAEC grading system?
A nine-point scale from A1 (highest) to F9 (lowest): A1 excellent, B2 very good, B3 good (distinction/merit band); C4–C6 credit passes; D7/E8 ordinary passes; F9 fail. Admission rules are written in these bands.
What is a credit in WAEC?
A credit is C6 or better (A1 through C6). D7 and E8 are passes but not credits, and F9 is a fail. Most admissions require credits, so a pass like D7 generally won't satisfy a requirement that asks for a credit.
What is the difference between a pass and a credit?
A credit is C6 or better; a pass (D7 or E8) is below credit level. A pass shows you didn't fail, but for most courses it won't meet a requirement that asks for a credit — e.g. a D7 in Maths is a pass but usually treated as not meeting the Maths requirement.
How many credits do I need for admission?
Most Nigerian tertiary admission requires five credit passes (C6 or better), including English Language and Mathematics, in subjects relevant to your course — read as individual subject grades against that rule, not as an average.
What if I'm short one credit for admission?
You can resit the subject at the next WAEC GCE (offered in two series a year) to add the credit before the admission cycle closes, and many institutions let you combine your best grades across sittings.