NECO Grading System 2026/2027: How Your Scores Are Marked

The NECO grading system 2026/2027 uses letter grades from A1 to F9, with A1 being the highest and F9 the lowest. The scale assigns letter grades to specific score ranges: A1 for (75-100\%), B2 for (70-74\%), B3 for (65-69\%), C4 for (60-64\%), C5 for (55-59\%), C6 for (50-54\%), D7 for (45-49\%), E8 for (40-44\%), and F9 for (0-39\%).

This guide provides a comprehensive explanation of the NECO Grading System 2026/2027: How Your Scores Are Marked. Whether you are preparing for NECO, monitoring a student’s progress, or advising on career paths, this article gives you full insight into NECO grading for 2026/2027.

If you are preparing for NECO, and sitting for this examination for the very first time. Then you must read this article.

You might have wondered how the National Examination Council scores the various subjects taken in the examination. Wonder No More! Firstly, you need to know that NECO has a grading system that serves as a marking and scoring template for all subjects. And also, this grading system comprises the following grades:

NECO Grading System 2026/2027

GRADE	NUMERIC VALUE	PERCENTAGE RANGE (%)	INTERPRETATION
A1	1	75 – 100	Excellent
B2	2	70 – 74	Very Good
B3	3	65 – 69	Good
C4	4	60 – 64	Credit
C5	5	55 – 59	Credit
C6	6	50 – 54	Credit
D7	7	45 – 49	Pass
E8	8	40 – 45	Pass
F9	9	00 – 40	Fail

The table above shows the NECO grading pattern of all subjects in the WAEC examination. You are passive to have performed on averagely Good if you score  and above in some subjects. These subjects must include Mathematics, English, and any five core subjects related to your class (Sciences, Arts, and Commercials). In our next article, we will give you insightful tips on how to make A’s and B’s in all subjects as you prepare for your examination.

How Your Scores Are Marked

There are serious misconceptions about how scripts of final year NECO examinations are marked. To find any excuse for the woeful performance of students in these examinations conducted by the National Examination Council (NECO) There are alleged that examiners marked based on their emotional disposition. But how do students who are expected to sit for these examinations think scripts are marked? We will Answer this Question Now.

We are going to Use Mathematics as a key subject to explain this in details. Many students can pass Mathematics if they understand how NECO examiners mark their papers and if their tutors show them the way practically by marking their scripts same way during school tests. Unfortunately, many tutors fail to understand the importance of the-6-step-formula and maths-etiquette to be observed as stated in detail below.

HOW NECO EXAMINERS AWARD MARKS

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS ON THE FINAL MARKING SCHEME

1.DISTRIBUTION OF MARKS

There are two parts in this paper. Parts I and II

Each of the questions in Part I carries 8 marks while each question in Part II carries 12 marks. The five questions in part I carry 40 marks and the five questions to be answer by the candidate in Part II sum up to 60 marks.

The grand total for this paper is, therefore, 100 marks.

TYPES OF MARKS

Three types of marks are awarded during the process of marking the answer scripts.

Method marks (M) are given for the use of correct method. The correct method should lead to the correct answer if numerical errors or miscalculation are not committed.

Accuracy marks (A) are earned when the answer is correct as given in the marking scheme. When the method mark is zero, the immediate accuracy marks are also lost.

Bonus marks (B) are awarded for correct accuracy, marks are not preceded by method marks. Bonus marks combine both method and  accuracy marks together.Follow through bonus marks (B) are awarded in special situations where the candidate’s  wrong  values are used correctly in the subsequent working. E.g. plotting of the candidate’s wrong values correctly in drawing a graph.

NOTE: The M. A. and B marks cannot be split or subdivided. E.g. where an M1 mark is allocated the candidate either scores the M1 fully (if the method is correct) or M0 (when the method is wrong). The same applies to the A and B marks.

3.PENALTIES

 Marks are deducted from the candidates work as follows:

• Deduct 1 mark for wrong units (W.U) or omitted units (O.U) once only in a question.
• Deduct 1 mark from wrong reasons (W.R) or omitted reasons (O.R) in geometric proofs once only in a question.
• Deduct 2 marks for misreading (MR) the data in a question. (If the misread values are used correctly in the subsequent calculation).
• Deduct 1 mark for premature approximation which does not make the subsequent working considerably easier.
• Deduct 1 mark for the omission of an essential working step.

NOTE: 

(i) Marks can only be deducted from accuracy and bonus marks and not from method marks.

(ii) Certain deductions are specifically stated in some questions in the marking scheme E.g ½ mark for each error or 1 mark for each error.

(iii) Award zero mark if candidate’s work is not clearly presented or indecipherable.

(iv) Award zero mark if working is totally suppressed.

OTHER POINTS TO NOTE

(i). Where a candidate attempts more than five questions in section B, mark the entire candidate’s work and delete marks for the extra marks for the extra questions with the lowest marks. Write MQA – More Questions Answered in front of each deleted mark.

(ii). All further workings which appears beyond the first appearance of the correct answer should be ignored.

(iii). The marking scheme contains some alternative methods (Aliter) in some questions. Other correct equivalent methods which are not included in the marking should be accepted and the corresponding M. A and B marks should be awarded.

(1v)      Do not round up individual question total (where ½ marks are awarded). It is the final total mark (on 100) that should be rounded up to the nearest whole number)

• READ ALSO:
• NECO Grading System 2026/2027: How Your Scores Are Marked
• How To Check Your NECO 2026/2027 Result Online and Via SMS
• How To Prepare & Pass NECO 2026/2027 in One Sitting
• NECO Registration 2026/2027 Form, Fee, Date & Deadline

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