Students at Accra Senior High School and St. Thomas Aquinas Senior High School have voiced concerns over the challenging nature of the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) Core Mathematics paper, particularly its heavy reliance on word problems. The examination, held on Wednesday, presented students with numerous questions involving real-life applications, financial mathematics, and linear equations, which many found difficult to navigate.
Curriculum Emphasis on Application-Based Problems
The increased focus on application-based problems in the WASSCE Core Mathematics paper reflects recent shifts in the Ghanaian school curriculum. This updated curriculum aims to equip students with practical mathematical skills by emphasizing problem-solving and real-world scenarios. While teachers have been preparing students for these changes, the sheer volume of word problems in this year’s examination caught many by surprise.
Students reported that although they were made aware of the curriculum’s new direction, the extent to which word problems would dominate the paper was unexpected. This has led to anxiety among candidates, even those who felt adequately prepared by their teachers.
Student Experiences and Challenges
Frank Monyari, a Form Three Science student, acknowledged the paper’s difficulty but remained optimistic about his performance. He stated, “We expected such questions, but not in such large numbers.” Despite the challenges, he expressed hope of passing, noting that he attempted all questions to the best of his ability.
Shadrack Osei, another Science student, echoed similar sentiments, praising his teacher’s preparation. “For my class, I would say our Core Maths teacher prepared us well, so we are confident we will do well,” he remarked. Sheila Addo, a Form Three Arts student, described the questions as “tricky and more difficult than expected,” but still felt confident about achieving a good grade, despite not answering some questions to her full satisfaction.
At St. Thomas Aquinas SHS, Joseph Ashong found the questions significantly different from previous WASSCE papers. He managed to answer only 7 out of the 10 questions due to their complexity. Othniel Amoah, another candidate from the same school, attempted all 10 questions but felt he had fully answered only eight, highlighting the pervasive difficulty.
WAEC Report and Teacher Perspectives
These student experiences align with findings from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Chief Examiner’s Report for the 2025 WASSCE. The report revealed that over 50 per cent of candidates failed the Mathematics paper, with a significant number struggling to translate word problems into mathematical expressions. Candidates also found it challenging to interpret real-life scenarios, represent information visually, and solve problems related to simple interest and other applied concepts.
Mathematics teachers, such as Mr. Evans Odei from Achimota SHS, have been actively adapting their teaching methods. Mr. Odei explained that preparations were intensified this year in response to the evolving examination format. He expressed confidence that students would perform better this year compared to last year, potentially reducing the failure rate. He recalled that the 2025 paper featured complex language in its word problems, contributing to the high failure rate.
Implications for Future Examinations
The consistent challenge posed by word problems in WASSCE Core Mathematics suggests a sustained shift in examination standards. Students and educators must continue to prioritize a deep understanding of mathematical concepts and their practical applications. The emphasis on real-world problem-solving indicates a move towards assessing not just theoretical knowledge but also the ability to apply that knowledge in diverse contexts.
Moving forward, students preparing for future WASSCE examinations should anticipate a continued focus on application-based questions. This will likely require a pedagogical approach that integrates mathematical principles with practical scenarios from an early stage of learning. The success rate in future mathematics papers will hinge on how effectively educational institutions adapt their teaching strategies to meet these evolving assessment demands.
Leave a Reply