How to Convert Your WAEC Grades for International Applications
If you are an African student, especially from a West African country like Nigeria, looking to study abroad, understanding how to convert WAEC grades for international applications is very important.
While some universities will accept your WAEC results directly, a lot of them will want to see your grades converted. Think of it like translating your academic achievements into a language they understand, often the U.S. 4.0 GPA scale or another globally recognized equivalent
This conversion helps admissions committees get a clearer picture of your academic performance, making it easier for them to compare your grades with those from other diverse educational systems.
In this post, we will show you an easy way to convert your WAEC results the right way. Firstly, you need to understand the WAEC grading system.
Approaches to Converting WAEC to GPA
There are two main ways to convert your WAEC grades:
1. Using Your High School Transcript
Some high schools already calculate your GPA over your 3 years of study. If your school does this, check your transcript to see if the GPA is already included.
2. Manual Conversion
If your transcript does not include a GPA, you can convert each WAEC grade yourself using a standard GPA conversion chart (shared below). This is also useful if you just want to confirm your GPA before submitting your application.
Several online tools and credential evaluation services, such as Scholaro and WES (World Education Services), can do this conversion for you. They have calculators and even provide official equivalency documents that universities abroad will easily understand
Even though there are general conversion charts, some universities might have their ways of looking at grades or specific requirements for certain subjects. For example, some Canadian universities might need at least a C6 in English and Math, or a C4 might be the equivalent of a GCSE English grade in the UK.
If your school transcript does not show a GPA, or if you just want to double-check the conversion yourself, these tools are especially useful. They help you confirm everything is just right for your application.
WAEC to U.S. 4.0 GPA Conversion Chart
The table below will help you convert your WAEC grades to a GPA on the U.S. 4.0 scale. It is important to clarify that the conversion was implemented on a 4.0 scale during your conversion process.
| WAEC Grade | Description | GPA Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | Excellence | 4.0 |
| B2 | Very Good | 3.5 |
| B3 | Good | 3.0 |
| C4 | Credit | 2.5 |
| C5 | Credit | 2.0 |
| C6 | Credit | 1.5 |
| D7 | Pass | 1.0 |
| E8 | Pass | 0.5 |
| F9 | Fail | 0.0 |
Applying to UK (UCAS Tariff or Direct Entry)
Many UK universities accept WAEC results directly without conversion. You can either apply directly or through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)
Some Universities accept WAEC English in place of IELTS if you scored C6 or higher. Below is the grading system:
- A1 = A or A* (depending on the university)
- B2/B3 = A or B
- C4–C6 =C or D
Applying to Canada
Canadian universities also accept WAEC, especially for undergraduate programs. You can navigate through your grades with their grading system below:
| WAEC Grade | Canadian Equivalent |
|---|
| A1 | 90 – 100% |
| B2 – B3 | 80 – 89% |
| C4 – C6 | 70 – 79% |
| D7 – E8 | Below 70% (may not be accepted) |
Steps to Convert and Use Your WAEC Results:
Here’s how you can calculate your GPA manually:
- List your subjects and grades
Write down all the WAEC subjects you took and the grades you earned. - Use the GPA conversion chart
Convert each WAEC grade into its U.S. GPA equivalent using the chart above. - Add up your GPA points
Add the GPA values for all your subjects. - Divide to get your average
Divide the total GPA points by the number of subjects to get your final GPA.
For Example:
Let’s say your WAEC results are:
Mathematics: B3, Social Studies: B2, English: C4, General Science: B3, Elective Mathematics: C4, Chemistry: A1, Biology: A1, Physics: B3.
The conversiron will be:
Math (B3) = 3.0, Social Studies (B2) = 3.5, English (C4) = 2.5, Gen. Science (B3) = 3.0, Elective Math (C4) = 2.5, Chemistry (A1) = 4.0, Biology (A1) = 4.0, Physics (B3) = 3.0
Total GPA Points = 25.5
Number of Subjects = 8
GPA = 25.5 ÷ 8 = 3.19 → Rounded to 3.2. That’s the GPA you will use on your application.
WAEC Grading System
Below is a breakdown of how WAEC grades are structured
| 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 | Weak Pass | 40 – 44 |
| F9 | Fail | 0 – 39 |
