The release of the 2025 BECE results marks the beginning of an important stage for Junior High School graduates in Ghana—placement into Senior High Schools (SHS). For many students, securing admission into a Category A SHS is the ultimate dream. These schools are the most prestigious, well-resourced, and competitive in the country. This article breaks down the Category A SHS cut off marks in Ghana for 2025 and how BECE results influence the placement process.
What Are Category A SHS in Ghana?
Category A schools in Ghana are the most competitive and highly sought-after Senior High Schools (SHS) in the country. The Ghana Education Service (GES) categorizes all SHS into different tiers—typically A, B, C, and D—based on their academic performance, facilities, and a school’s overall reputation. Category A schools represent the top tier.
How many Category A schools are in Ghana?
The precise number of schools in Category A isn’t always publicly declared in a single, comprehensive list. The official list is provided in the school selection booklet given to students in their final year of Junior High School (JHS). The category of a school can also change over time based on its performance.
How BECE Results Affect SHS Placement
The Computerized School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) uses candidates’ BECE results to determine SHS placement.
- Students are graded in six subjects, including English, Mathematics, Integrated Science, and Social Studies.
- The best possible aggregate is 6 (grade 1 in all six subjects).
- The highest acceptable aggregate for placement is usually 30–36, but Category A schools rarely admit beyond aggregate 10–15.
This means the lower your aggregate score, the higher your chances of gaining admission into a Category A SHS.
Cut-off marks for admission to Category A Senior High Schools (SHS) in Ghana are not officially published by the Ghana Education Service (GES). Instead, the admissions process through the Computerized School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) is based on a competitive merit system, making it challenging to pinpoint a specific, fixed cutoff aggregate. However, based on historical trends and the competitive nature of these top-tier schools, successful candidates often require a very low aggregate score, typically between 6 and 10.
Understanding the BECE Grading System and Aggregates
The BECE uses a nine-point numerical scale to grade candidates, with Grade 1 representing the highest performance and Grade 9 the lowest.
- Grade 1: Excellent
- Grade 2: Very Good
- Grade 3: Good
- Grade 4: Credit
- Grade 5: Credit
- Grade 6: Credit
- Grade 7: Pass
- Grade 8: Pass
- Grade 9: Fail
A candidate’s aggregate score for SHS placement is calculated from their raw scores in six subjects: the four core subjects (English Language, Mathematics, Integrated Science, and Social Studies) and the two best-performed elective subjects. A lower aggregate score indicates a better performance. For example, a student who scores a Grade 1 in all six subjects will have an aggregate of 6, which is the best possible score.
How Category A Schools Are Placed
Category A schools are the most competitive and highly sought-after senior high schools in Ghana. The CSSPS places students into these schools based on their raw scores and aggregate, prioritizing those with the best performance. Since there is high demand and limited space, admission is granted on a “best-fit” basis rather than a predetermined cut-off.
If multiple students have the same aggregate score, the system employs a tie-breaking system to determine placement. This includes factors such as:
- The number of Grade 1s a candidate has in their subjects.
- A candidate’s raw score (the actual marks obtained before grading).
- Performance in core subjects in a specific order: English Language, Mathematics, Integrated Science, and Social Studies.
2025 Expected Category A SHS Cut Off Marks in Ghana
Although the official cut-off list will be released after BECE results, past trends give a clear picture of what to expect in 2025:
| School | Gender | Expected Cut Off Aggregate |
|---|---|---|
| PRESEC (Legon) | Boys | 6 – 8 |
| Wesley Girls’ High School | Girls | 6 – 7 |
| Achimota School | Mixed | 6 – 9 |
| Prempeh College | Boys | 6 – 9 |
| Opoku Ware School | Boys | 6 – 9 |
| Holy Child School | Girls | 6 – 8 |
| St. Augustine’s College | Boys | 6 – 9 |
| Aburi Girls’ SHS | Girls | 6 – 9 |
| Mfantsipim School | Boys | 6 – 9 |
| Ghana National College | Mixed | 8 – 10 |
Note: These are expected cut-off ranges based on previous years. The actual cut-off for 2025 may shift depending on the number of high-performing candidates.
What is the difference between Category A and Category B schools?
The main difference is the level of competition and demand. Category A schools are the most sought-after and have the highest cut-off points for admission. Category B schools are also very good schools, often with strong academic records and good facilities, but they are generally less competitive than Category A schools. The selection guidelines for students reflect this difference: students are restricted to picking only one Category A school, but can choose up to two from Category B.
Thank you for visiting GHResults.com — we wish you all the best on your journey ahead, and we look forward to welcoming you back soon!