What to Do If You Have D7 E8 or F9 in WAEC 2025

Failing to get your desired grades in the 2025 WAEC examination can be discouraging, especially if you received D7, E8, or F9 in key subjects. These grades can affect your chances of gaining admission into universities, polytechnics, or colleges of education in Nigeria and other West African countries.

However, this is not the end of the road for your academic journey. In this guide, we will explain what these grades mean, how they affect your admission prospects, and the practical steps you can take to improve your chances of success.

Understanding WAEC Grades: What D7, E8, and F9 Mean

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) uses the following grading system:

Grade	Interpretation	Score Range
A1	Excellent	75% – 100%
B2	Very Good	70% – 74%
B3	Good	65% – 69%
C4	Credit	60% – 64%
C5	Credit	55% – 59%
C6	Credit	50% – 54%
D7	Pass	45% – 49%
E8	Pass	40% – 44%
F9	Fail	0% – 39%

📌 Key Point:

D7 and E8 are considered passes, not credits.
F9 means you failed that subject completely.
For most universities and polytechnics in Nigeria, you need at least a credit (C6 or better) in required subjects like English Language and Mathematics.

Why D7, E8, and F9 Are a Problem for Admissions

When applying for higher institutions through JAMB (UTME) or direct entry, you must meet the O’level requirement for your chosen course.

For example:

Engineering, Medicine, Law, etc. → Require at least C6 in English, Mathematics, and other core subjects.
Education courses → Still require credits in core subjects related to your field.

If you have D7, E8, or F9 in key subjects, your application may be rejected even if you score high in UTME.

What to Do If You Have D7, E8, or F9 in WAEC 2025

Here are practical steps to take if your WAEC results are not good enough:

1. Consider Writing WAEC GCE (Second Series)

The WAEC GCE is an external exam you can take to improve your grades.

You can register for WAEC GCE 2025 Second Series (usually around August/September).
Focus on the subjects where you scored D7, E8, or F9.
Combine your WAEC May/June result with your WAEC GCE result during admission (this is called two sittings).

2. Write NECO or NECO GCE

NECO is another recognized O’level examination in Nigeria.

You can write NECO June/July or NECO GCE to make up for your poor WAEC grades.
NECO results are accepted by most Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

3. Combine Two Results (Two Sittings)

If you passed some subjects in WAEC and others in NECO or GCE, you can combine them.
Example:

WAEC: Credit in English, Biology, Chemistry.
NECO: Credit in Mathematics, Physics.
➡ Combined result gives you all required credits.

4. Enroll in a Pre-Degree or Remedial Programme

Some universities and polytechnics offer pre-degree/remedial programmes that allow you to gain admission even without complete credits.

After completing the programme successfully, you can move into your desired course.
Example: UNILAG, FUTA, UNN, and many others offer this pathway.

5. Consider Other Institutions That Accept Passes

Some private universities, colleges of education, or foreign institutions may accept D7 or E8 in certain subjects, especially for non-competitive courses.

Example: Some private universities accept Pass in Mathematics for courses in Arts or Social Sciences.

6. Re-Write the Exam Next Year

If you want to be sure of strong grades, prepare to rewrite WAEC in 2026.

Use past questions.
Attend tutorial centres.
Focus on weak subjects.

How to Prepare Better for a Re-Sit

Analyze your weak points – Was it lack of time, poor understanding, or exam tension?
Study with a plan – Break your subjects into topics and create a timetable.
Practice past questions – WAEC repeats similar questions often.
Join tutorial classes – Learn from experienced teachers.
Avoid distractions – Limit phone and social media use during study time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I gain admission with D7 in WAEC?

Yes, but only if your chosen institution and course do not require a credit in that subject, or if you combine it with another result where you have a credit.

2. Can I combine WAEC and NECO results?

Yes, most Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education accept two sittings.

3. Is E8 a fail?

E8 is a pass, not a credit. It’s not enough for courses that require a credit pass.

4. What’s the fastest way to fix bad WAEC grades?

5. Can private universities accept D7 or E8 in English or Mathematics?

Some may accept it for certain courses, but most competitive courses still require credits.

Final Advice

If your WAEC 2025 results include D7, E8, or F9, don’t give up. Many students have faced this challenge and still went on to graduate successfully. Your main task is to quickly decide on the best alternative — whether it’s writing WAEC GCE, NECO, or enrolling in a remedial programme.

With the right strategy and determination, your academic dream is still very possible.