Continuous Assessment in Ghana: How CA Scores Affect BECE and WASSCE

Every year, thousands of Ghanaian students and parents are caught off guard by how much continuous assessment matters. CA is not just a school formality. It contributes 30% of the final grade for both BECE and WASSCE. That means nearly a third of a student's exam outcome is determined before they even sit in the examination hall. Understanding how CA works, how it is calculated, and how to maximise it is one of the most practical advantages a family can have.

What Is Continuous Assessment?

Continuous assessment, commonly referred to as CA or school-based assessment (SBA), is the ongoing evaluation of a student's academic performance throughout the school year. Unlike a single high-stakes exam, CA captures a student's learning over time through multiple assessment points. These include class tests, homework assignments, practical exercises, projects, group work, and end-of-term examinations.

The philosophy behind CA is straightforward: a single exam on one day cannot fully capture what a student knows and can do. By collecting performance data across the entire academic year, CA provides a more rounded picture of a student's abilities. The Ghana Education Service (GES) and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) both recognise CA as an integral part of the assessment framework for Ghanaian students.

For students in every part of Ghana, from schools in East Legon and Labone in Accra to classrooms in Tamale and Bolgatanga, CA follows the same fundamental structure. The specific tests and assignments are set by individual schools, but the overall framework and weighting are standardised nationally.

How CA Contributes to Final Exam Scores

The most important thing parents and students need to understand is the 30/70 split. For both BECE and WASSCE, the final grade in each subject is calculated as follows:

• 30% from continuous assessment (school-based evaluation throughout the year)
• 70% from the written examination (the final BECE or WASSCE paper)

This means that before a student writes a single word on their BECE or WASSCE paper, 30% of their final mark is already determined. A student with consistently strong CA scores walks into the exam hall with a significant head start. A student with weak CA scores faces a much steeper climb.

Consider a practical example. Two students sit for the same BECE Mathematics paper. Student A has a CA score of 27 out of 30 (90%). Student B has a CA score of 15 out of 30 (50%). Even if both students perform identically on the written exam and score 50 out of 70, Student A finishes with a total of 77 (Grade 2), while Student B finishes with 65 (Grade 4). The difference of 12 marks, entirely from CA, translates into a two-grade difference in the final result.

This is why consistent effort throughout the school year is not optional. It is a strategic necessity. Families in Cantonments, Adenta, Tema, and across Greater Accra who understand this invest in regular academic monitoring, not just last-minute exam preparation.

How Schools Calculate CA Scores

The specifics of CA calculation vary by school, but the general approach follows GES guidelines. Schools are expected to compile CA from three main sources:

1. Class Tests and Quizzes

Regular tests conducted during the term form a significant part of the CA score. These typically cover recently taught material and are designed to measure whether students are keeping up with the syllabus. Most schools conduct at least two to three class tests per subject per term.

2. Assignments, Homework, and Projects

Take-home assignments, group projects, and practical exercises also contribute to CA. These assessments measure different skills from timed tests, including research ability, presentation, and the capacity to work independently. In subjects like Integrated Science, practical project work can carry meaningful weight.

3. End-of-Term Examinations

The end-of-term exam is usually the largest single component of the CA score for that term. Schools typically weight end-of-term exams more heavily than individual class tests, though the exact weighting varies. These exams cover the full range of topics taught during the term and are the closest approximation to the format students will face in BECE or WASSCE.

Over the course of the academic year, scores from all three sources are combined to produce the final CA score that the school submits to WAEC. Schools in Kumasi, whether in the Ahodwo area or around KNUST, follow the same submission process as schools in Cape Coast, Takoradi, or Koforidua.

How Students Can Maximise Their CA Scores

Maximising CA is not about cramming before class tests. It requires sustained, consistent academic effort. Here are the most effective strategies.

Stay Current with the Syllabus

CA rewards students who keep pace with classroom instruction. If you fall behind by even two or three weeks, you start accumulating gaps that show up in class test results. The most effective approach is to review each day's lessons the same evening, even if just for 20 to 30 minutes. This keeps material fresh and reduces the need for intensive cramming before tests.

Take Every Assessment Seriously

Some students treat class tests and homework as low-stakes and save their serious effort for end-of-term exams. This is a costly mistake. Every marked assessment contributes to the CA score, which contributes to the final grade. A student who earns 90% on the end-of-term exam but 50% on class tests will have a lower CA score than a student who earns 75% consistently across all assessments.

Submit All Assignments on Time

Missing assignments often result in zero scores for that assessment component. Even if a student performs well on tests, missing homework or projects creates gaps in the CA record that drag down the overall score. In schools across Madina, Haatso, Spintex, and other areas where student populations are large, teachers may not always follow up on late submissions. The responsibility falls on the student.

Seek Clarification Early

When a concept is unclear, addressing it immediately prevents that confusion from compounding across subsequent tests. Students who ask questions in class or seek help from teachers after school tend to perform better on CA assessments because their understanding stays current.

Use Practice Tools That Track Progress

Regular practice outside the classroom builds the kind of consistent competence that translates into strong CA scores. Olearna's scoring engine helps students identify weak topics and focus their practice where it matters most, which directly supports stronger performance on class tests and end-of-term exams. When a student practises on Olearna between school assessments, they build confidence and competence that carries over into every classroom evaluation.

Common Misconceptions About Continuous Assessment

Misconception: CA Does Not Really Matter Because the Exam Is Worth 70%

This is one of the most damaging misconceptions in Ghanaian education. While the exam does carry the larger weight, 30% is a substantial portion of the final grade. In competitive scenarios, where the difference between a Grade 3 and a Grade 5 can determine SHS placement or university admission, CA scores are often the deciding factor.

Misconception: Schools Inflate CA Scores, So Everyone Gets High Marks

While some schools do show tendencies toward generous grading, WAEC applies moderation to CA scores. If a school submits CA scores that are significantly out of line with its students' exam performance, WAEC adjusts the scores downward. This means that artificially inflated CA does not guarantee an advantage, and students who genuinely earn strong CA scores are rewarded.

Misconception: You Can Make Up for Poor CA with a Strong Exam Performance

Mathematically, it is possible. Practically, it is extremely difficult. A student with a CA score of 12 out of 30 needs to score at least 58 out of 70 on the exam just to reach a total of 70 (equivalent to a Grade 3 on the BECE scale). Scoring 83% on a high-pressure exam is far more challenging than maintaining solid CA throughout the year. The smarter strategy is always to build a strong CA foundation.

Misconception: Only End-of-Term Exams Count for CA

Class tests, assignments, and projects all contribute to the CA score. Students who only perform well on end-of-term exams but neglect other assessments find themselves with lower CA scores than they expected. Every graded piece of work matters.

CA vs. Exam Performance: Finding the Right Balance

The healthiest approach to exam preparation recognises that CA and exam readiness are not separate goals. They reinforce each other. A student who builds strong CA scores through consistent classroom effort is simultaneously building the knowledge and skills they need for the final exam.

The mistake some families make is treating exam preparation as a completely separate activity from school work. They invest heavily in extra classes and BECE preparation materials while neglecting the day-to-day school assessments that actually contribute 30% of the final grade. The most effective students, whether in Bantama, Kumasi or Sekondi, treat school performance and exam preparation as two sides of the same coin.

Olearna supports this integrated approach. By helping students identify their weakest topics and providing targeted practice, Olearna improves both classroom performance (which boosts CA) and exam readiness. When a student fixes a gap in their understanding of Algebraic Expressions, that improvement shows up in their next class test and in their eventual BECE performance.

The Role of Parents in CA Performance

Parents play a critical role in ensuring strong CA outcomes. Here is what effective parental involvement looks like:

• Review report cards in detail. Do not just look at the class position. Examine individual subject scores and look for patterns of weakness across terms.
• Communicate with teachers. Ask specifically about your child's class test performance and assignment submission record. Teachers in schools across Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi, and other cities are generally willing to share this information when parents request it.
• Create consistent study routines. Daily review of classroom material is more effective than weekend cramming sessions. A structured study timetable helps students stay current with the syllabus.
• Monitor progress between terms. Waiting until the end-of-term report to check on your child's performance means waiting too long. Regular check-ins, either through the school or through tools like Olearna's weekly readiness reports, give parents the early warning signals they need.

For a comprehensive guide to supporting your child through BECE preparation, see our parent guide to BECE success.

How Olearna Supports Stronger CA Outcomes

Olearna is not a replacement for school-based assessment. It is a complement that strengthens a student's ability to perform well across all assessment types. When students use Olearna for regular practice, they build deeper understanding of the topics covered in class, which translates directly into better performance on class tests, assignments, and end-of-term exams.

The scoring engine identifies the specific topics where a student is weakest, so practice time is spent on what will make the biggest difference. A student in Obuasi or Tarkwa who practises on Olearna three times a week will see the impact in their classroom assessments, their end-of-term results, and ultimately their CA score.

Parents receive weekly readiness signals that show whether their child is on track, improving, or at risk. This level of ongoing visibility is exactly what families need to ensure strong CA performance across the entire academic year, not just during exam season.