Top Schools in Ghana: Preparation Strategies for BECE and WASSCE

Schools and families that consistently achieve strong BECE and WASSCE results in Ghana do not rely on luck. They use clear strategies: early diagnosis of weak areas, targeted revision, serious continuous assessment, and consistent practice under exam conditions. This guide explains what those strategies are and how any student or school can apply them, whether in Accra, Kumasi, Tamale, Cape Coast, or any region of Ghana.

What Top Performers Do Differently

High-performing schools and students typically share a few habits. They start preparation early. They use diagnostics or mocks to identify weak topics and students. They allocate more time to those weak areas instead of treating every subject equally. They take continuous assessment seriously. They practise past questions under timed conditions. And they maintain a clear timetable so that nothing is left to the last minute. These strategies work in East Legon, Ahodwo, Tema, Takoradi, Tamale, and everywhere else.

Diagnostics and Weak-Area Focus

You cannot fix what you do not measure. Top preparation starts with an honest picture of where each student stands. Which subjects are weak? Which topics within those subjects? Once that is clear, revision can be targeted. Schools use mock exams and internal tests. Families use diagnostic tools like Olearna, which analyses response patterns and identifies specific knowledge gaps. When study time is directed at real gaps instead of guesswork, results improve. For more on building a plan around weak areas, see our how to improve school performance guide.

Continuous Assessment Matters

BECE and WASSCE grades are not based only on the final exam. School-based continuous assessment contributes. So from JHS 1 and SHS 1 onward, every class test, assignment, and project counts. Top schools and families treat these seriously. They monitor CA scores and act early when a student or a topic starts to slip. For a full explanation, read continuous assessment in Ghana.

Study Timetables and Consistency

A clear timetable ensures all subjects and topics are covered before exam day. It also reduces anxiety: students know what to study each day. Top performers use timetables that give more time to weak subjects and include regular review and past question practice. Our BECE study timetable and WASSCE study timetable guides give templates you can adapt. The principle is the same from Accra to Bolgatanga: planned, consistent study beats last-minute cramming.

Past Questions and Exam Conditions

Past questions are essential. But they must be used correctly. Sit down, set a timer, and attempt full papers under exam conditions. Mark honestly and analyse errors. Then revise the weak topics before the next practice. This cycle builds speed, familiarity, and confidence. Top schools build this into their revision schedule. For strategies, see best BECE study tips and best WASSCE study tips.

Role of Teachers and Schools

Teachers see class performance every day. They can identify weak topics and weak students. Schools that improve results often use this information to allocate extra teaching time, revision sessions, and support. Class-level insights from diagnostic tools can help: when a teacher sees which topics the whole class is struggling with, they can adjust lessons accordingly. For how Olearna supports teachers and schools, see for teachers and for schools.

Parent Support

Parents in high-performing communities often create consistent study environments, monitor progress, and ensure their child has a clear picture of weak areas. They do not need to be teachers. They need to support targeted revision and avoid piling on pressure. Our parent guide to BECE success and parent guide to WASSCE success give practical steps for families in Accra, Kumasi, and across Ghana.

Access to Quality Resources

Quality matters. Syllabus-aligned materials, past questions, and diagnostic tools that give accurate feedback all help. Today, digital platforms can deliver this across Ghana. Students in Tamale, Cape Coast, Ho, Sunyani, and Obuasi can access the same kind of targeted practice and readiness insights that were once easier to find only in major cities. The gap is closing for families who seek out the right resources.

Starting Early

Top results rarely come from last-minute preparation. Building strong foundations in JHS 1 and 2 (for BECE) and SHS 1 and 2 (for WASSCE) gives students more time to address gaps. When diagnostics are used early, problems are caught in time. When continuous assessment is taken seriously from day one, the final grade has a strong base. Start the conversation and the plan early.