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The mean of five numbers is 14. If four of the numbers are 10, 12, 16 and 18, what is the fifth number?

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Key Facts: BECE Exam

BECE is Ghana's JHS exit exam administered by WAEC, covering 8+ subjects each with 40 MCQ and essay papers; graded Grade 1–9 and used by CSSPS to place graduates in SHS.

Sample BECE Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your BECE exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which of the following is the correct expansion of (x + 3)(x – 2)?

A.x² – x – 6

B.x² + x – 6

C.x² + 5x – 6

D.x² – 5x + 6

Explanation: To expand (x + 3)(x – 2), use the FOIL method: x·x = x², x·(–2) = –2x, 3·x = 3x, 3·(–2) = –6. Adding: x² + (–2x + 3x) – 6 = x² + x – 6. Always collect like terms after expanding.

2A trader bought 50 oranges for GH¢ 20.00 and sold them at GH¢ 0.60 each. What was the percentage profit?

A.30%

B.40%

C.50%

D.60%

Explanation: Total selling price = 50 × GH¢0.60 = GH¢30.00. Cost price = GH¢20.00. Profit = GH¢30.00 – GH¢20.00 = GH¢10.00. Percentage profit = (10/20) × 100 = 50%. Percentage profit is always calculated on the cost price.

3Find the value of x in the equation 3x + 7 = 22.

A.3

B.4

C.5

D.6

Explanation: Subtract 7 from both sides: 3x = 22 – 7 = 15. Divide both sides by 3: x = 15 ÷ 3 = 5. Always perform the same operation on both sides to keep the equation balanced.

4The set of prime factors of 60 is:

A.{2, 3, 5}

B.{2, 3, 4, 5}

C.{1, 2, 3, 5}

D.{3, 4, 5}

Explanation: Prime factors are the prime numbers that divide a number exactly. 60 = 2 × 2 × 3 × 5. The distinct primes are 2, 3 and 5, so the set is {2, 3, 5}. A prime number has exactly two factors: 1 and itself.

5A rectangle has length 12 cm and width 7 cm. What is its area?

A.38 cm²

B.72 cm²

C.84 cm²

D.96 cm²

Explanation: Area of a rectangle = length × width = 12 cm × 7 cm = 84 cm². The perimeter would be 2(12 + 7) = 38 cm, which is a different measurement. Always use the formula Area = l × w for rectangles.

6Which of the following correctly represents 0.0045 in standard form?

A.4.5 × 10²

B.45 × 10⁻⁴

C.4.5 × 10⁻³

D.4.5 × 10⁻⁴

Explanation: Standard form writes a number as A × 10ⁿ, where 1 ≤ A < 10. Moving the decimal point 3 places to the right gives 4.5, so 0.0045 = 4.5 × 10⁻³. A negative exponent shows the decimal moved right (number less than 1).

7Ama and Kofi share a sum of money in the ratio 3:5. If Ama receives GH¢ 120, how much does Kofi receive?

A.GH¢ 72

B.GH¢ 160

C.GH¢ 200

D.GH¢ 240

Explanation: Ama's share = 3 parts = GH¢120, so 1 part = GH¢120 ÷ 3 = GH¢40. Kofi's share = 5 parts = 5 × GH¢40 = GH¢200. You can verify: total = GH¢120 + GH¢200 = GH¢320, and 120:200 simplifies to 3:5. ✓

8The mean of five numbers is 14. If four of the numbers are 10, 12, 16 and 18, what is the fifth number?

A.10

B.12

C.14

D.16

Explanation: Mean = Sum ÷ Count, so Sum = Mean × Count = 14 × 5 = 70. Sum of the four known numbers = 10 + 12 + 16 + 18 = 56. Fifth number = 70 – 56 = 14. The mean is equal to each value when all values are identical, but here the fifth value happens to equal the mean.

9In triangle ABC, angle A = 50° and angle B = 70°. What is the size of angle C?

A.50°

B.60°

C.70°

D.80°

Explanation: The angles in any triangle add up to 180°. So angle C = 180° – 50° – 70° = 60°. This property — the angle sum of a triangle is 180° — applies to all triangles: equilateral, isosceles, scalene and right-angled.

10Simplify: ³/₄ + ⁵/₆

A.⁸/₁₀

B.¹⁷/₁₂

C.¹⁹/₁₂

D.8/12

Explanation: The LCM of 4 and 6 is 12. Convert: ³/₄ = ⁹/₁₂ and ⁵/₆ = ¹⁰/₁₂. Adding: ⁹/₁₂ + ¹⁰/₁₂ = ¹⁹/₁₂. Wait — that gives 19/12. Let me recheck: 9 + 10 = 19, so the answer is ¹⁹/₁₂ = 1⁷/₁₂. The correct answer is 19/12.

About the BECE Exam

The Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) is the national exit examination for Junior High School (JHS) in Ghana, administered annually by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC). It is taken by JHS3 students at the end of their three-year junior secondary education. Each subject is assessed through Paper 1 (40 multiple-choice objective questions in 50 minutes) and Paper 2 (essay or written paper). The final BECE grade for each subject combines the external examination score (70%) with the school-based continuous assessment (30%), graded on a 9-point stanine scale. Results are used by the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) to allocate graduates to Senior High Schools (SHS) and Technical/Vocational institutions, based on the aggregate of each candidate's best six subjects. The 2026 BECE was held from 4 to 11 May 2026.

Questions

40 scored questions

Time Limit

50 minutes for Paper 1 (objective); Paper 2 (essay) varies by subject from 1 to 1 hour 30 minutes. Both papers are taken on the same day per subject.

Passing Score

9-point stanine scale: Grade 1 (highest) to Grade 9 (lowest). The CSSPS uses the aggregate of the best six subjects for SHS placement — a lower aggregate number means a higher-performing candidate.

Exam Fee

Approximately GH¢ 77–95 for school candidates (2026); public school fees are typically absorbed by the Ghana government. Private candidates pay a per-subject fee through WAEC Ghana. (West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Ghana (waecgh.org))

BECE Exam Content Outline

22%

Mathematics

Number and numeration, algebra, geometry, mensuration, statistics, probability, commercial arithmetic (profit/loss, percentages, ratios) and indices.

20%

English Language

Grammar and usage (tenses, concord, parts of speech), oral English (phonology, stress), vocabulary, figures of speech, punctuation and sentence types.

18%

Integrated Science

Biology (plant/animal biology, ecology), chemistry (elements, acids and bases), physics (forces, energy, states of matter, electricity) and environmental topics.

18%

Social Studies

Ghana's history and independence, governance and democracy, geography (rivers, climate, economic activities), population, urbanisation and international relations.

Religious and Moral Education

Core beliefs and practices in Christianity, Islam and African Traditional Religion; moral values, the family, adolescence and Ghanaian cultural festivals.

Computing

Computer hardware (CPU, RAM, storage), software types, the Internet, cybersecurity, data measurements and ICT applications.

Career Technology

Workshop and electrical safety, materials and properties, woodwork, metalwork, joining processes, technical drawing and design principles.

How to Pass the BECE Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 9-point stanine scale: Grade 1 (highest) to Grade 9 (lowest). The CSSPS uses the aggregate of the best six subjects for SHS placement — a lower aggregate number means a higher-performing candidate.
Exam length: 40 questions
Time limit: 50 minutes for Paper 1 (objective); Paper 2 (essay) varies by subject from 1 to 1 hour 30 minutes. Both papers are taken on the same day per subject.
Exam fee: Approximately GH¢ 77–95 for school candidates (2026); public school fees are typically absorbed by the Ghana government. Private candidates pay a per-subject fee through WAEC Ghana.

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

BECE Study Tips from Top Performers

1Practise past BECE objective papers under timed conditions — each Paper 1 must be completed in 50 minutes with 40 questions, so speed and accuracy both matter.

2Prioritise English Language and Mathematics as they are the most heavily weighted subjects for CSSPS aggregate and are required for many SHS programmes.

3For Integrated Science, learn definitions and processes precisely — objective questions often test exact scientific terminology and classification.

4Use the WAEC-released BECE topics list (published each year) to focus your revision on the specific topics confirmed for that sitting.

5Review Ghanaian contexts in Social Studies — questions on Ghana's history, geography, government and institutions are specific and require factual recall.

6Do not neglect RME, Computing and Career Technology — these subjects can significantly improve your aggregate score and are often easier to score well in with targeted revision.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Ghana BECE and who takes it?

The BECE (Basic Education Certificate Examination) is administered by WAEC Ghana at the end of Junior High School (JHS3). It is taken by all JHS3 students in Ghana, as well as private candidates who are re-sitting. Passing the BECE is required to gain placement in Senior High School (SHS) or Technical/Vocational schools through the CSSPS.

How is the BECE graded?

BECE subjects are graded on a 9-point stanine scale: Grade 1 is the highest and Grade 9 is the lowest. The final grade for each subject combines the external examination (70%) and the school's continuous assessment (30%). Grades 1–3 are excellent, 4–6 are satisfactory, and 7–9 are weak.

What subjects are examined in the BECE?

Core subjects include English Language, Mathematics, Integrated Science, Social Studies, Religious and Moral Education, Ghanaian Language, Computing and Career Technology. Creative Arts & Design is also examined. French and Arabic are optional subjects. Each subject has Paper 1 (40 MCQ) and Paper 2 (essay).

What is the CSSPS and how does it use BECE results?

The Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) is the platform used to place BECE graduates into SHS and TVET institutions. It calculates each candidate's aggregate score from their best six subjects — a lower aggregate (minimum of 6) means better performance and better placement chances. Candidates enter up to six school choices.

How many questions are in the BECE Paper 1 (objective test)?

Each BECE subject Paper 1 consists of 40 multiple-choice (objective) questions to be answered in 50 minutes. Candidates must shade their answers on an optical mark reader (OMR) answer sheet. Paper 2 (essay) is taken immediately after at the same sitting.

When is the 2026 BECE held?

The 2026 Ghana BECE was held from 4 May to 11 May 2026. The examination runs over several days, with two papers (one subject each, morning and afternoon) scheduled daily. Results are typically released in August to allow timely CSSPS placement for the new academic year.