The National Examinations Council has published the official timetable for the 2026 Senior School Certificate Examination Internal, with the exercise scheduled to run from Monday, 15 June 2026 to Thursday, 23 July 2026.

With the examination date approaching, the council has also announced that the deadline for normal registration of candidates by schools is Monday, 25 May 2026. Schools unable to meet that deadline have until Friday, 29th May, 2026, for late registration, after which no further extension will be granted. State Ministries of Education, school proprietors, principals, and commandants of secondary schools have been urged to adhere strictly to the stipulated deadlines to avoid any inconvenience.

Candidates are expected to sit papers across a range of subjects, from practical sessions and language tests in June to core written examinations in July, including General Mathematics on Wednesday, 1 July 2026, and English Language on Wednesday, 15 July 2026.

The council has structured the schedule such that practical examinations for subjects including Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Agricultural Science, Computer Studies, and Technical Drawing will be held on specific dates, while written papers follow immediately in the weeks after. Practicals for Physical Education, Foods and Nutrition, Home Management, Music Technology, French, Arabic, Fashion Design and Garment Making, Beauty and Cosmetology, Computer Hardware and GSM Repairs, Catering Craft and Livestock Farming are scheduled between Monday, 15 June and Friday, 19 June 2026, with actual dates and times to be communicated by the council.

For identification purposes, every candidate must present a valid photocard at the examination centre. Where the time printed on the question paper differs from the time listed on the timetable, candidates are directed to follow the time on the question paper.

The council noted that for Physical Education Practical, French, Music, and Arabic Paper IV, schools are required to confirm specific venues from the NECO State Offices. Candidates sitting science practicals and Computer Studies practicals may be scheduled in sets where equipment is limited, meaning some may write earlier or later than the listed time, depending on arrangements at their centre.

NECO further disclosed that albino and blind candidates will receive 30 additional minutes at the end of each subject, while blind candidates are required to use NECO supplied or customised Braille sheets throughout the examination period.

The use of scientific calculators is permitted; however, candidates are prohibited from bringing electronic communication devices into the hall. These include mobile phones, programmable calculators, iPads, tablets, smart wristwatches, smart glasses, and smart pens.

Any candidate who fails to sit for a practical paper will not receive a result for the corresponding subject. Candidates taking Nigerian Language papers in Hausa, Igbo, or Yoruba are also advised to prepare for the Literature component included within those papers.

The Registrar and Chief Executive of NECO, Professor Anthony Ibrahim Oshishi, reiterated the council's commitment to maintaining strict adherence to examination schedules and called on all stakeholders to cooperate fully to ensure a smooth process for all candidates.