The National Examinations Council (NECO) has released the timetable for the 2026 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) External.
According to the timetable, the examination is scheduled to take place from Wednesday, November 4 to Saturday, November 21, 2026. Candidates are advised to carefully check their subjects, examination dates, paper titles, durations and scheduled times to avoid missing any paper.
NECO 2026 External Examination Timetable
Some of the subjects listed on the timetable include:
| Subject | Paper | Duration | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marketing | Paper III – Objective | 1 hour | 10:00am – 11:00am |
| Marketing | Paper II – Essay | 1 hr 40 mins | 11:00am – 12:40pm |
| Agricultural Science | Paper III – Objective | 1 hour | 10:00am – 11:00am |
| Agricultural Science | Paper II – Essay | 1 hr 30 mins | 11:00am – 12:30pm |
| Commerce | Paper III – Objective | 1 hour | 10:00am – 11:00am |
| Commerce | Paper II – Essay | 1 hr 40 mins | 11:00am – 12:40pm |
| Civic Education | Paper III – Objective | 1 hour | 10:00am – 11:00am |
| Civic Education | Paper II – Essay | 2 hours | 11:00am – 1:00pm |
| Accounting | Paper III – Objective | 1 hr 20 mins | 10:00am – 11:20am |
| Accounting | Paper II – Theory & Practice | 2 hrs 30 mins | 11:20am – 1:50pm |
| Geography | Paper III – Objective | 1 hour | 10:00am – 11:00am |
| Geography | Paper I – Practical | 1 hr 30 mins | 11:00am – 12:30pm |
| Geography | Paper II – Essay | 2 hours | 2:00pm – 4:00pm |
| Literature in English | Paper III – Objective | 1 hour | 10:00am – 11:00am |
| Literature in English | Paper IV – Prose | 2 hours | 11:00am – 1:00pm |
| Literature in English | Paper II – Drama & Poetry | 1 hr 15 mins | 2:00pm – 3:15pm |
| Chemistry | Paper III – Objective | 1 hour | 10:00am – 11:00am |
| Chemistry | Paper II – Essay | 2 hours | 11:00am – 1:00pm |
| Chemistry | Paper I – Alternative to Practical | 2 hours | 2:00pm – 4:00pm |
| English Language | Paper III – Objective | 1 hour | 10:00am – 11:00am |
| English Language | Paper II – Essay | 1 hr 45 mins | 11:15am – 1:00pm |
| English Language | Paper IV – Test of Orals | 45 mins | 1:15pm – 2:00pm |
| Physics | Paper III – Objective | 1 hour 15 mins | 10:00am – 11:15am |
| Physics | Paper II – Essay | 1 hr 45 mins | 11:15am – 1:00pm |
| Physics | Paper I – Alternative to Practical | 2 hrs 45 mins | 2:00pm – 4:45pm |
| Economics | Paper III – Objective | 1 hour | 10:00am – 11:00am |
| Economics | Paper II – Essay | 2 hours | 11:00am – 1:00pm |
| General Mathematics | Paper III – Objective | 1 hour | 10:00am – 11:00am |
| General Mathematics | Paper II – Essay | 2 hrs 30 mins | 12:00 noon – 2:30pm |
| Biology | Paper III – Objective | 1 hour | 10:00am – 11:00am |
| Biology | Paper II – Essay | 1 hr 30 mins | 11:00am – 12:30pm |
| Biology | Paper I – Alternative to Practical | 2 hours | 2:00pm – 4:00pm |
| Christian Religious Studies | Paper III – Objective | 1 hour | 10:00am – 11:00am |
| Christian Religious Studies | Paper II – Essay | 1 hr 30 mins | 11:00am – 12:30pm |
| Government | Paper III – Objective | 1 hour | 10:00am – 11:00am |
| Government | Paper II – Essay | 1 hr 40 mins | 11:00am – 12:40pm |
The timetable also lists Islamic Studies and other papers.
Important Instructions for NECO External Candidates
Candidates sitting for the 2026 NECO External Examination are expected to take note of the following instructions:
1. Arrive Early
Candidates are expected to be seated at least 30 minutes before the commencement of each subject or paper.
2. Follow the Virtual Question Paper Time
Where the time displayed on the virtual question paper differs from the time stated on the timetable, candidates are instructed to strictly follow the time shown on the virtual question paper.
3. Photocard Is Mandatory
Every candidate is required to have a photocard for identification during the examination.
4. Extra Time for Albino and Blind Candidates
The timetable states that albino and blind candidates are to be given 30 minutes extra time across all papers.
5. Scientific Calculators
The use of a scientific calculator is allowed during the examination.
6. Electronic Devices Are Prohibited
Candidates are strictly prohibited from bringing electronic communication gadgets into the examination hall. These include mobile phones, iPads, tablets, smart watches, smart glasses, smart pens and programmable calculators.
NECO 2026 External Examination Date
The 2026 NECO Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) External is scheduled for November 4 to November 21, 2026. Candidates are advised to prepare adequately and check the timetable carefully for their individual examination dates and times.
Candidates should also ensure that they arrive at their examination centres early and come with the required identification documents.
