National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) Complete Guide 2025
If your child is aiming to secure a place at one of Nigeria’s top Federal Unity Colleges—such as King’s College Lagos, Queen’s College Lagos, or Federal Government College Abuja—then the National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) is the gateway.
This competitive national exam is taken by thousands of Primary 6 pupils each year, but only the highest-performing students are offered admission. The NCEE tests pupils across a wide range of subjects, including Mathematics, English Studies, Basic Science & Technology, Civic Education, and Reasoning Skills.
Success in the exam requires a solid foundation in core academic subjects, strong reasoning ability, and good time management. In this guide, we’ll break down the full structure of the NCEE, explain each section in detail, and share practical tips to help your child prepare effectively and achieve their best possible score.
Contents
NCEE – General Information
What is the National Common Entrance Examination?
Which schools use the National Common Entrance Examination?
What subjects are tested in the National Common Entrance Examination?
Who is eligible to take the National Common Entrance Examination?
What National Common Entrance Examination tests do students take?
When is the National Common Entrance Examination taken?
Where is the National Common Entrance Examination taken?
How competitive is the National Common Entrance Examination?
How is National Common Entrance Examination marked?
When are National Common Entrance Examination results released?
What are National Common Entrance Examination results used for?
Paper 1, Part A – Mathematics and Basic Science 📐
Paper 1, Part B – English and Social Studies 📝
Paper 2, Part A – Quantitative And Vocational Aptitude 🎲
Paper 2, Part B – Verbal Aptitude 🧠
NCEE English Preparation
Do students need to revise for the NCEE?
Where can I find practice materials?
How can I help my child prepare for the NCEE?
National Common Entrance Examination – General Information
What is the National Common Entrance Examination?
The National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) is the national entrance exam used for admission into Nigeria’s network of Federal Unity Colleges. These government-funded secondary schools are among the most competitive and academically respected in the country. Admission is based primarily on a pupil’s performance in the NCEE, which is set and administered by the National Examinations Council (NECO).
Which Schools Use the National Common Entrance Examination?
The NCEE is used for admission into over 100 Federal Unity Colleges across Nigeria, including:
King’s College, Lagos
Queen’s College, Lagos
Federal Government College, Abuja
Federal Government Girls’ College, Owerri
Federal Government College, Enugu
Federal Government College, Ikot Ekpene
Federal Government Girls’ College, Benin City
Federal Science and Technical Colleges nationwide
These schools admit some of the most promising Primary 6 students from across all 36 states and the FCT.
What subjects are tested in the National Common Entrance Examination?
The NCEE tests six core subject areas:
Mathematics
English Studies
Basic Science and Technology
National Values and Civic Education
Quantitative Reasoning
Verbal Reasoning
Who is Eligible to Take the National Common Entrance Examination?
The exam is open to Primary 6 pupils in Nigeria, typically aged 10–12, who are seeking admission into Junior Secondary School (JSS1) at a Federal Unity College. There are no other entrance routes to these schools—only NCEE results are considered.
What National Common Entrance Examination Tests do Students take?
The NCEE is divided into two papers, covering six core subject areas:
✏️ Paper I
Mathematics
English Studies
Basic Science and Technology
National Values and Civic Education
✏️ Paper II
Quantitative Reasoning
Verbal Reasoning
All questions are multiple-choice, and students must shade their answers on an optical mark recognition (OMR) sheet.
When Is the National Common Entrance Examination taken?
The NCEE is typically held in May or June each year. For 2025, the official exam date was Saturday 14th June 2025.
Students sit the exam in designated test centres nationwide, usually at government secondary schools or state-assigned venues.
Where Is the National Common Entrance Examination taken?
Test centres are assigned by NECO and are located across all 36 states and the FCT. Pupils will receive their exam slip before the test date, which includes the location, centre number, and exam timetable.
How Competitive is the National Common Entrance Examination?
The exam is highly competitive. Each year, tens of thousands of pupils from all over Nigeria take the NCEE, but only the top-performing students from each state and the FCT are offered admission. Merit, catchment area, and educationally disadvantaged state quotas are considered in the admission process.
How Is the National Common Entrance Examination marked?
Each correct answer earns 1 mark. There are no penalties for incorrect answers. NECO then calculates scores for each section and provides a cumulative score. These scores are ranked nationally and within states. Admission offers are based on this ranking and state-based quota allocations.
When are National Common Entrance Examination results released?
Results are usually released 2–4 weeks after the exam. Parents can check results:
Online via the NECO results portal
At their child’s school
Through SMS (if activated by NECO)
Successful candidates are also notified of the Unity College they’ve been assigned to, based on their scores and state of origin.
What are National Common Entrance Examination results used for?
NCEE scores are used exclusively for placement into Federal Unity Colleges. Unlike private or state secondary school admissions, Unity Colleges do not consider primary school grades, interviews, or recommendations—only the NCEE results determine admission.
Paper 1, Part A – Mathematics and Basic Science
How long is The NCEE Mathematics and Basic Science Section?
Paper 1 of the NCEE includes two parts:
Part A: Mathematics and Basic Science
Part B: English Studies and Social Studies
The entire paper lasts 2 hours and 10 minutes (130 minutes). While time is not officially split, students typically spend around 65 minutes on Part A.
How many marks are available in The NCEE Mathematics and Basic Science Section?
There are a total of 50 questions in the mathematics and basic science section.
📐 40 mathematics questions
🧪 10 science questions
Each correct answer is worth 1 raw point, and there is no penalty for incorrect answers.
What topics are covered in The NCEE Mathematics and Basic Science Section?
📘 Mathematics
This section tests key primary-level maths topics, such as:
Number and numeration (place value, factors, multiples)
Fractions, decimals, and percentages
Ratio and proportion
Measurement (length, area, volume, weight)
Geometry (angles, 2D/3D shapes)
Data handling (bar charts, pictograms, simple probability)
Word problems requiring multi-step reasoning
🔬 Basic Science & Technology
This section assesses scientific knowledge and basic tech concepts:
Living and non-living things
The human body and health
Force, energy, and motion
Properties of materials
The environment and simple machines
Introduction to information and communication technology (ICT)
What question types are found in The NCEE Mathematics and Basic Science Section?
All questions are multiple-choice, with fiver answer options (A–E). Pupils must shade their chosen answers on an OMR sheet.
Mathematics questions often involve:
Short calculations
Diagrams or charts
Multi-step word problems
Science questions typically involve:
Factual recall
Basic application of concepts
Everyday examples
What is the expected standard in this Test?
To perform well in this part of the NCEE, pupils should:
Be confident in basic arithmetic and geometry
Be able to solve problems involving two or more steps
Understand foundational science topics taught in Primary 4–6
Apply concepts to everyday scenarios (e.g. energy in a bicycle, parts of a plant, or ICT tools)
What is Considered a good score?
There is no official pass mark for individual sections. Instead, a pupil’s total score across all subjects is used to rank them within their state and nationwide.
However, strong performance in Mathematics and Basic Science (usually at least 80%) is especially important for admission into Unity Colleges with a STEM focus or strong academic reputations (e.g. Federal Science & Technical Colleges, King’s College, FGC Abuja).
Paper 1, Part B – English and Social Studies
How long is The NCEE English and Social Studies Section?
Paper 1 of the NCEE includes two parts:
Part A: Mathematics and Basic Science
Part B: English Studies and Social Studies
The entire paper lasts 2 hours and 10 minutes (130 minutes). While time is not officially split, students typically spend around 65 minutes on Part B.
How many marks are available in The NCEE English and Social Studies Section?
There are a total of 50 multiple-choice questions in Part B:
📚 40 English questions
🌍 10 Social Studies questions
Each correct answer earns 1 mark, with no penalty for incorrect answers.
What topics are covered in The NCEE English and Social Studies Section?
📖 English Studies
This section assesses a pupil’s command of the English language, including:
Reading comprehension (fiction and nonfiction passages)
Grammar and usage (tenses, parts of speech, punctuation)
Vocabulary (nearest and opposite in meaning, context clues)
Sentence structure (cloze tests, sentence completion)
🌍 Social Studies (National Values Education)
This portion tests knowledge of citizenship, moral values, and national identity:
Duties and rights of citizens
Honesty, cooperation, discipline, and respect
Nigerian national symbols (flag, anthem, currency, coat of arms)
Religious and cultural tolerance
Government structure and social responsibility
What question types are found in The NCEE English and Social Studies Section?
All questions are multiple-choice, with five answer options (A–E). Pupils must shade their answers on an OMR sheet.
English questions include:
Comprehension questions based on short texts
Grammar error identification or correction
Synonym/antonym selection
Sentence completion with appropriate vocabulary
Social Studies questions include:
Factual knowledge about Nigeria’s institutions and values
Scenario-based ethics or civic choices
National symbols and responsibilities
What is the expected standard in this Test?
To perform well in this part of the NCEE, pupils should:
Read fluently and understand both narrative and informational texts
Apply correct grammar and punctuation rules
Have a strong working vocabulary
Be aware of civic values, responsibilities, and Nigerian national identity
Understand moral reasoning in everyday situations
What is Considered a good score?
There is no official pass mark for individual subjects. Instead, a pupil’s total score out of 210 is ranked within their state and nationwide.
However, Unity Colleges that focus on leadership, humanities, or national development often place greater emphasis on English and Social Studies. A strong performance in this section (typically scoring 35+ out of 50) can significantly boost overall ranking, especially for pupils hoping to enter highly sought-after schools like Queen’s College or Federal Government College Enugu.
Paper 2, Part A – Quantitative And Vocational Aptitude
How long is The NCEE Quantitative And Vocational Aptitude Section?
Paper 2 of the NCEE includes two parts:
Part A: Quantitative and Vocational Aptitude
Part B: Verbal Aptitude
Students are given 1 hour and 20 minutes (80 minutes) to complete this paper. While time is not officially split, students typically spend around 40 minutes on Part A.
How many marks are available in The NCEE Quantitative And Vocational Aptitude Section?
The Quantitative And Vocational Aptitude section includes 50 multiple-choice questions, typically split evenly between both parts:
➕ 25 Quantitative Aptitude questions
🔤 25 Vocational (Verbal) Aptitude questions
Each question is worth 1 mark, and there is no penalty for incorrect answers. All answers are recorded on an OMR sheet.
What topics are covered in The NCEE Quantitative And Vocational Aptitude Section?
🔢 Quantitative Aptitude
Numerical sequences and patterns
Missing numbers in mathematical relationships
Arithmetic reasoning puzzles
Logic-based numerical questions
Basic number coding (e.g. letter‑number substitution)
🛠️ Vocational Aptitude
Practical problem-solving using everyday reasoning
Logic puzzles involving shapes, patterns, tools, or processes
Situational questions that require planning or methodical thinking
Early exposure to how skills relate to vocational tasks
What question types are found in The NCEE Quantitative And Vocational Aptitude Section?
All questions are multiple-choice with five answer options (A–E). Formats may include:
Pattern recognition in number series
Choosing the correct option to complete a mathematical relationship
Selecting the logically different number from a group
Solving mini puzzles or equations using mental strategies
What is the expected standard in this Test?
To do well in this section, pupils should:
Be confident with basic number operations
Have good mental maths speed and accuracy
Be comfortable identifying number patterns
Think logically and work under time pressure
Be able to rule out distractor answers efficiently
This section is less about memorised content and more about agility and logical thinking.
What is Considered a good score?
There is no official pass mark for individual subjects. Instead, a pupil’s total score out of 210 is ranked within their state and nationwide. Scoring 35 or more out of 50 is considered competitive for admission into top Federal Unity Colleges.
Paper 2, Part B – Verbal Aptitude
How long is The NCEE Verbal Aptitude Section?
Paper 2 of the NCEE includes two parts:
Part A: Quantitative and Vocational Aptitude
Part B: Verbal Aptitude
Students are given 1 hour and 20 minutes (80 minutes) to complete this paper. While time is not officially split, students typically spend around 40 minutes on Part B.
How many marks are available in The NCEE Aptitude Section?
The Verbal Aptitude section includes 40 multiple-choice questions. Each question is worth 1 mark, and there is no penalty for incorrect answers. All answers are recorded on an OMR sheet.
What topics are covered in The NCEE Verbal Aptitude Section?
Verbal Aptitude tests a pupil’s ability to think logically using language. Key topic areas include:
Word analogies (e.g., lion : cub :: cat : ___)
Odd one out (identify the word that doesn’t belong in a group)
Word classification (group words by meaning or function)
Sentence completion (selecting the best word to logically complete a sentence)
Logical sequencing (ordering sentences to form a coherent paragraph)
This section evaluates verbal reasoning, not rote grammar rules.
What question types are found in The NCEE Verbal Aptitude Section?
All questions are multiple-choice with five options (A–E). Common formats include:
Identifying the word that doesn't fit in a group
Completing analogies based on semantic relationships
Choosing the most suitable word to complete a sentence
Recognising correct sequencing in sentences or ideas
Grouping words by meaning or category
What is the expected standard in this Test?
Success in this section requires pupils to:
Understand word relationships and analogy logic
Have a good working vocabulary
Think quickly and reason under pressure
Interpret language contextually and make clear distinctions
Efficiently eliminate distractors when selecting an answer
This section favors students with strong verbal logic skills and flexible thinking.
What is Considered a good score?
There is no official pass mark per section. Final rankings are based on total marks out of 210, calculated across all sections and papers.
A score of 32 or more out of 40 in the Verbal Aptitude section is considered strong and often places a candidate within a highly competitive tier—especially valuable for admission into Unity Colleges that value reasoning and leadership capabilities.
NCEE English Preparation
Do Students need to revise for The NCEE?
Yes—absolutely. The NCEE is highly competitive, with tens of thousands of students competing for a few thousand spots in specialized high schools. While the test is based on material taught in middle school, the question format and timing pressure make practice essential. Students need to be familiar with revising/editing questions and interpreting complex reading passages quickly and accurately.
Where can I find practice materials for the NCEE?
How can I help my child prepare for the NCEE English and Verbal Aptitude Sections?
There are many ways you can support your child's preparation for the NCEE.
1. NCEE English Tuition 👩🏫
Tuition can be a useful tool to assist your child’s preparation for the NCEE English and verbal aptitude sections because it can help them progress faster than they otherwise would do at school. There are several different types of tuition available for NCEE students, each with their own benefits.
🙋🏿♂️ Individual Tuition: learning alone provides a 1-on-1 environment in which some students thrive due to uninterrupted attention from a tutor. This can be done in-person or online, and it can achieve great results for your child. Particularly in subjects such as maths, where students are required to fully understand each step of the question in order to arrive at the correct answer.
👨👧👧 Group Tuition: group tuition provides a collaborative learning environment where students can interact with peers and learn from each other, as well as their tutor. A collaborative learning environment is especially helpful in NCEE subjects such as English comprehension and lexis. Students can listen to and analyse each other’s answers in order to improve and refine their own.
Group NCEE tuition can achieve exceptional results compared to a class in school because all of the children are highly-motivated and ready to learn. The tutor must also teach the class at the appropriate level to achieve excellent NCEE performance, not at the level of the least able student (as in school). It's also a more cost-effective option.
👩🏽🏫 In-Person Tuition: this traditional approach involves face-to-face sessions with a tutor, either individually or in a small group. In-person tuition allows for personalised attention and immediate feedback, but it can often be less thoroughly planned and more improvised than online tuition.
👩🏼💻 Online Tuition: learning online is an increasingly popular choice. It offers flexibility and convenience, allowing students to learn from the comfort of their own homes with top-rated tutors from across the US and UK.
Furthermore, the lesson plans are more robust and less improvised than in-person tuition because, in order to effectively deliver an online lesson, the teacher absolutely must have a variety of pre-prepared and well-structured resources ready to be shown through the screen.
⏩ Intensive Courses: intensive courses are designed to cover a significant amount of material in a short period of time. They're ideal for parents who want a more structured learning programme with a clear start and end point. At times, tuition sessions can drag on without the progress or structure of the learning totally evident. Intensive courses are a good remedy for this problem.
The Exam Coach: Your Partner In NCEE English and Verbal Aptitude Tuition
The Exam Coach delivers group online tuition for children studying to sit the NCEE. We offer weekly online tuition workshops that fit in with your schedule and set your child on a steady path of improvement.
Our 11 Plus Tuition Model
👨🏼🏫 Expert Tutors: our tutors are experienced, top-performing teachers who are passionate about helping children succeed in the NCEE English and Verbal Ability sections.
✅ Proven Approach: our approach is based on years of experience and has helped countless students achieve their goals.
🎯 Targeted Skill Development: sessions are focused on essential NCEE English techniques and skill development in order to score marks in the exam.
⏰ Online and Flexible: our online tuition options offer flexibility and convenience, allowing your child to learn from home.
📚 Comprehensive Preparation: we specialise in the core NCEE English disciplines, including comprehension, revision and editing.
🏆 Build Exam Confidence: our supportive and encouraging group learning environment helps build your child's confidence and reduces anxiety about the NCEE.
With The Exam Coach tuition team, your child will be well-prepared and confident on exam day.
2. Practice Tests and Mock Exams 📝
Practice tests are a vital preparation resource for several reasons:
😱 Familiarisation with Format: working through practice tests helps your child become comfortable with the structure, timing, and types of questions they'll encounter in the actual NCEE.
🔎 Identify Areas for Improvement: by reviewing their answers with a mark schemes, you can work with your child to pinpoint their strengths and weaknesses.
💪 Build Exam Technique: practice tests help develop essential exam skills, such as time management, careful reading, and clear answer presentation.
Click the buttons below to access our free NCEE tests and resources.
3. Focus on Key Skills 🔑
The NCEE draws heavily on concepts taught through Primary 6, but success often comes down to how fluently students can apply those skills under pressure. Here are four high-impact areas to prioritise during prep:
📖 Active Reading Practice: Encourage your child to read regularly across different genres—fiction, non-fiction, biographies, science articles, and persuasive writing. Exposure to varied writing styles helps build the comprehension and inference skills needed for the NCEE’s English section. Ask questions like: What’s the main idea? What’s the author’s tone? Why did they include that detail?
🧠 Mental Maths & Estimation: Quick recall of number facts, factors, and basic calculations makes problem-solving much faster—especially since calculators aren’t allowed on the NCEE. Practise estimation strategies, arithmetic shortcuts, and number sense using flashcards, brainteasers, or even real-life maths during shopping or cooking.
📝 Grammar & Editing Awareness: Build a strong foundation in grammar by practising sentence corrections and short editing exercises. Focus on common NCEE issues: verb tense consistency, punctuation, transitions, and logical sentence flow. You can even pause during reading to ask, Could this sentence be clearer?
💬 Vocabulary Building: NCEE passages often contain advanced vocabulary, so aim to introduce a few new words each week. Use vocabulary journals, word maps, or synonym challenges. Encourage your child to use new words in their writing or daily conversations to reinforce them naturally.
