WASSCE Grading System Explained (A1–F9) for Sierra Leone Students

The WASSCE grading scale

The West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) is graded on a nine-point scale: A1, B2, B3, C4, C5, C6, D7, E8, F9. Grades A1 to C6 are credit passes, D7 and E8 are ordinary passes, and F9 is a fail.

• A1 = Excellent (75–100%)
• B2 = Very Good (70–74%)
• B3 = Good (65–69%)
• C4–C6 = Credit (50–64%)
• D7–E8 = Pass (40–49%)
• F9 = Fail (0–39%)

How many credits do Sierra Leonean universities require?

Fourah Bay College, Njala University and most Sierra Leone tertiary institutions require at least five credit passes (A1–C6) including English Language and Mathematics, plus the specific subjects relevant to the course. Medicine, engineering and law typically ask for higher grades — usually A1–B3 in the core science or arts subjects.

Paper 1, Paper 2 and Paper 3 explained

Most WASSCE subjects have three papers: Paper 1 (multiple choice), Paper 2 (essay / theory) and Paper 3 (practical or oral, depending on the subject). Your final grade combines all three. ExamBridge Africa's WASSCE subject pages let you practise Paper 1 MCQs and study Paper 2 model theory answers side by side, matching how WAEC actually marks.

How to move up one grade

Moving from C6 to B3 usually means about 15 more correct MCQs plus one better-structured theory answer. Focus revision on the topics you consistently get wrong — the WASSCE mathematics past papers on ExamBridge Africa show a per-topic breakdown after each practice session.