IGCSE, A-Level, JAMB, WAEC, NECO, IB, SAT, ACT, IELTS — series patterns, grading, exam tips, and direct links to official timetables (always up to date).
Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE)
The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) is the world's most popular international qualification for 14–16 year olds, taken in Year 10/11. Cambridge runs TWO series per year.
Main sitting. Most Nigerian students register for this series.
Available for re-sits or where the school timetable suits. Not all subjects available.
Registration typically opens ~6 months before exams (Oct for May/June; May for Oct/Nov). Check with your registered Cambridge school — they submit entries on your behalf.
Official Registration PageMay/June results: mid-August. Oct/Nov results: mid-January following year.
Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE)
Cambridge AS & A Levels are globally recognised university entrance qualifications taken in Year 12/13. Essential for UK, US, and top Nigerian university admissions. TWO series per year.
Primary sitting for Year 13 (A2) and Year 12 (AS Level) students.
Re-sits and Year 12 AS Level sittings. Fewer subjects available than May/June.
Entries submitted by your Cambridge centre typically 3–4 months before exams. Private candidates must find a registered Cambridge centre.
Official Registration PageMay/June results: mid-August (critical for UCAS clearing). Oct/Nov results: mid-January.
Pearson Qualifications (UK)
Pearson Edexcel offers an alternative to Cambridge for IGCSE and A-Level qualifications. Recognised globally and offered at many international schools in Nigeria. TWO series per year.
Early sitting — useful for re-sits or students on accelerated programmes.
Main sitting. Most students take A2 exams in this series.
Registration via your Edexcel-registered school/centre. January series: register by October. May/June: register by February.
Official Registration PageJanuary series: late March. May/June series: mid-August.
Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB)
The Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) is the mandatory entrance exam for all Nigerian federal and state universities. Held ONCE per year, typically March–April.
CBT-based examination. Usually one sitting per year. JAMB may announce supplementary dates — check jamb.gov.ng.
Registration opens January – February each year. Check jamb.gov.ng for exact dates. Register early — slots fill quickly at CBT centres.
Official Registration PageScores released within 2–4 weeks of your exam date. Post-UTME screening by individual universities follows in May–July.
West African Examinations Council (WAEC)
The West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) is the primary secondary school leaving certificate in Nigeria. Held TWICE per year — school candidates (May/June) and private candidates (Aug/Sept).
For SS3 students in registered secondary schools. This is the main sitting.
For private/repeat candidates not in school. Same certificate, widely accepted.
School candidates: schools register students January–February. Private/GCE candidates: register April–May. Check waeconline.org.ng for annual dates.
Official Registration PageSchool WASSCE: released August. Private GCE: released November.
National Examinations Council (NECO)
The NECO SSCE is the government alternative to WAEC for Nigerian secondary school students. Held TWICE per year — June/July for school candidates and December for internal.
For SS3 students in schools registered with NECO.
For private/repeat candidates. Results are equally accepted by Nigerian universities.
School candidates: registered by schools (April–May). Private: July–August for external sitting. Check neco.gov.ng annually.
Official Registration PageInternal SSCE: September. External: February of following year.
International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO)
The IB Diploma is a rigorous two-year curriculum for students aged 16–19, highly regarded by universities worldwide. Examinations are held TWICE per year — May and November.
Main sitting for the Northern Hemisphere. Most Nigerian IB schools use this session.
Southern Hemisphere session — available to all schools but less common in Nigeria.
IB students are enrolled through their school (IB World Schools) — individuals cannot self-register. The two-year DP programme starts in Year 12.
Official Registration PageMay session: results released in early July. November session: results in January.
College Board (USA)
The SAT is the primary US college admissions test, now fully digital (dSAT). Available SEVEN times per year globally. Nigerian students can sit at registered test centres in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt.
First sitting of the academic year.
Popular for college application deadlines.
Last sitting for most Early Decision deadlines.
Good for January admissions deadlines.
No School Day version in March (international only).
Useful for students who want results before end of school year.
Final sitting of the academic year.
Registration closes ~4–5 weeks before each test date. Book early — Nigerian test centres (Lagos, Abuja, PH) fill up fast. Register at collegeboard.org.
Official Registration PageDigital SAT scores released approximately 2–3 weeks after test date.
ACT Inc. (USA)
The ACT is the second major US college admissions test. Accepted by all US colleges alongside the SAT. Offered internationally up to FIVE times per year. Tests English, Maths, Reading, and Science.
International February sitting (not available in all countries — verify at act.org).
International sitting.
International sitting. Last before US college application season.
International sitting. Good for Early Decision US applications.
International sitting. Last for most Regular Decision US deadlines.
Registration closes ~4 weeks before test date. International students register at act.org. Check if a test centre is available in Nigeria — availability varies.
Official Registration PageScores available approximately 2–8 weeks after test depending on the sitting.
British Council / IDP / Cambridge Assessment English
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is required by most UK, Australian, and Canadian universities for international applicants whose first language is not English. Available almost EVERY WEEK in Nigeria.
Traditional paper test with a Speaking component on a separate day.
Same exam content, faster results (3–5 days). Now available at multiple Nigerian centres.
Book at least 4–8 weeks in advance. British Council Nigeria (Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt) and IDP are the main providers.
Official Registration PagePaper-based: 13 days. Computer-based: 3–5 days.
Exam boards publish exact dates each academic year — typically 6–12 months in advance. The series patterns shown above (e.g., "May/June" and "Oct/Nov" for Cambridge) remain consistent year-on-year, but specific dates shift annually. Always click View Official Timetable on each card to get the confirmed dates for the current sitting from the official exam board website.