The National Examinations Council (NECO) has released the official BECE Timetable 2026 for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). JSS3 candidates sitting for the 2026 BECE should study this timetable carefully and prepare accordingly.
The 2026 BECE examination begins on Monday, April 20, 2026 and ends on Thursday, April 30, 2026. In this post, we have provided the full BECE 2026 timetable in an easy-to-read format, along with important instructions every candidate must note before the exam.
What is BECE?
BECE stands for Basic Education Certificate Examination. It is a standardised examination conducted by the National Examinations Council (NECO) for Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS3) students in Nigeria. A successful BECE result is required for admission into Senior Secondary School (SSS1).
BECE Timetable 2026
Below is the complete and official NECO BECE Timetable 2026, covering all examination dates, paper codes, subject titles, durations, and start times.
| Date | Paper Title / Subject | Duration | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday 20th April |
Paper III: Practical — Business Studies | 20 mins | 10:00 am – 10:20 am |
| Tuesday 21st April |
Paper III: Computer Practical — Basic Science and Technology (BST) | 45 mins | 10:00 am – 10:45 am |
| Paper IV: Drawing — Basic Science and Technology (BST) | 45 mins | 10:00 am – 10:45 am | |
| Wednesday 22nd April |
Paper III: Practical — Cultural and Creative Arts (CCA) | 1 hr | 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm |
| Thursday 23rd April |
Paper I: Objective — History | 1 hr | 10:00 am – 11:00 am |
| Paper II: Objective — History | 1 hr | 11:00 am – 12:00 noon | |
| Paper I: Objective — Hausa L1 | 1 hr | 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm | |
| Paper I: Objective — Igbo L1 | 1 hr | 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm | |
| Paper I: Objective — Yoruba L1 | 1 hr | 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm | |
| Paper I: Objective — Hausa L2 | 1 hr | 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm | |
| Paper I: Objective — Igbo L2 | 1 hr | 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm | |
| Paper I: Objective — Yoruba L2 | 1 hr | 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm | |
| Paper II: Objective — Hausa L1 / Igbo L1 / Yoruba L1 | 1 hr | 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm | |
| Friday 24th April |
Paper I: Objective — Christian Religious Studies (CRS) | 1 hr | 10:00 am – 11:00 am |
| Paper I: Objective — Islamic Studies (ISL) | 1 hr | 10:00 am – 11:00 am | |
| Paper II: Objective — Christian Religious Studies (CRS) | 1 hr | 11:00 am – 12:00 noon | |
| Paper II: Objective — Islamic Studies (ISL) | 1 hr | 11:00 am – 12:00 noon | |
| Saturday 25th April |
Paper I: Objective — Mathematics | 1 hr 20 mins | 10:00 am – 11:20 am |
| Paper II: Objective — Mathematics | 1 hr 20 mins | 11:20 am – 12:40 pm | |
| Paper III: Essay — Mathematics | 40 mins | 2:30 pm – 3:10 pm | |
| Monday 27th April |
Paper I: Objective — Cultural and Creative Arts (CCA) | 1 hr | 10:00 am – 11:00 am |
| Paper II: Objective — Cultural and Creative Arts (CCA) | 1 hr | 11:00 am – 12:00 noon | |
| Paper I: Objective — Business Studies | 1 hr | 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm | |
| Paper II: Objective — Business Studies | 1 hr | 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm | |
| Tuesday 28th April |
Paper I: Objective — Basic Science and Technology (BST) | 1 hr | 10:00 am – 11:00 am |
| Paper II: Objective — Basic Science and Technology (BST) | 1 hr | 11:00 am – 12:00 noon | |
| Paper I: Objective — Pre-Vocational Studies (PVS) | 1 hr | 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm | |
| Paper II: Objective — Pre-Vocational Studies (PVS) | 1 hr | 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm | |
| Wednesday 29th April |
Paper I: Objective — English Studies | 1 hr 20 mins | 10:00 am – 11:20 am |
| Paper II: Objective — English Studies | 40 mins | 11:20 am – 12:00 noon | |
| Paper III: Essay — English Studies | 45 mins | 1:15 pm – 2:00 pm | |
| Paper I & II: Objective — Arabic Language | 1 hr each | 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm | |
| Thursday 30th April |
Paper I: Objective — National Values Education (NVE) | 1 hr | 10:00 am – 11:00 am |
| Paper II: Objective — National Values Education (NVE) | 1 hr | 11:00 am – 12:00 noon | |
| Paper I: Objective — French Language | 1 hr | 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm | |
| Paper II: Objective — French Language | 1 hr | 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm |
BECE 2026 Exam Dates at a Glance
Here is a quick summary of all BECE 2026 exam dates and their corresponding subjects:
- Monday, April 20: Business Studies Practical
- Tuesday, April 21: BST Computer Practical & Drawing
- Wednesday, April 22: Cultural and Creative Arts (CCA) Practical
- Thursday, April 23: History | Hausa / Igbo / Yoruba (L1 & L2)
- Friday, April 24: Christian Religious Studies (CRS) | Islamic Studies (ISL)
- Saturday, April 25: Mathematics (Papers I, II & III)
- Monday, April 27: Cultural and Creative Arts (CCA) | Business Studies
- Tuesday, April 28: Basic Science and Technology (BST) | Pre-Vocational Studies (PVS)
- Wednesday, April 29: English Studies | Arabic Language
- Thursday, April 30: National Values Education (NVE) | French Language
Important Instructions for BECE 2026 Candidates
NECO has issued the following official instructions that every BECE 2026 candidate must comply with:
- Each candidate must have a valid photocard for identification on every exam day.
- Where the time on the question paper differs from this timetable, candidates should follow the time on the question paper.
- Practicals in Business Studies and Basic Science & Technology (BST) should be conducted in sets where equipment cannot go round. The practical examination must not exceed 5:00 pm. Computers can be used for Business Studies practicals.
- Albinos and Blind Candidates are to be given 30 minutes extra time in all subjects.
- Blind Candidates must use the NECO-supplied OBR Customised Braille Sheet for the examination.
- The use of a simple (non-programmable) calculator is allowed.
- Bringing any electronic communication gadgets into the examination hall, including programmable calculators, mobile phones, iPads, tablets, smart wrist watches, smart glasses, or smart pens is strictly prohibited.
Related Posts
WAEC Timetable 2026 (May/June SSCE) – Full Exam Schedule
NECO Timetable 2026 SSCE PDF Download
FAQ
When does BECE 2026 start?
The NECO BECE 2026 examination starts on Monday, April 20, 2026 with the Business Studies Practical paper.
When does BECE 2026 end?
BECE 2026 ends on Thursday, April 30, 2026 with the French Language Paper II at 4:30 pm.
Which body conducts the BECE examination?
The National Examinations Council (NECO), headquartered at KM 8, Bida Road, P.M.B 159, Minna, Niger State, conducts the BECE examination for JSS3 candidates nationwide.
Kolade Kayode, known as Mr. KK, I am a Nigerian education blogger and founder of MasterWAEC.com. Passionate about student success, I simplifies WAEC exam preparation with accurate tips and resources to help students excel.
