NCEE Marking Scheme Explained — How Scores Are Calculated
Many parents and pupils prepare for the National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) without realising how marks are actually awarded.
Understanding the marking system gives your child a clear edge — it shows which subjects carry the most weight, where pupils often lose marks, and how to plan revision time efficiently.
This guide from The Exam Coach explains exactly how the 2025 NCEE is marked, how scores are calculated, and what steps to take to maximise results.
Overview
The NCEE is organised by the National Examinations Council (NECO) for admission into Nigeria’s Federal Unity Colleges.
The exam has two main papers, each testing a range of subjects. Scores from both papers are added together to form a total of 200 marks.
This combined score determines each candidate’s overall result, which NECO and the Federal Ministry of Education use to set cut-off points and admission lists for different states and schools.
💡 Exam Coach Top Tip: Pupils who understand the marking system can focus their effort on the sections with the highest marks, not just the ones they enjoy.
Paper Breakdown
The NCEE is taken in two sessions on the same day: Paper 1 (Qualifying) and Paper 2 (Achievement Test).
Paper 1 – Qualifying Examination
This paper focuses on reasoning, logic, and foundational knowledge. It contains 60 objective questions worth one mark each. The questions come from four subjects:
Verbal Reasoning
Quantitative Reasoning
Mathematics
General Paper (a mix of Basic Science, Social Studies, and Civic topics)
Each section has about 15 questions, for a total of 60 marks.
Paper 1 acts as the initial screening paper, although nearly all candidates proceed to Paper 2.
Paper 2 – Achievement Test
Paper 2 tests deeper subject knowledge through both objective and written questions. It has three core sections:
English Studies (50 marks) – comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, and composition writing.
Mathematics (50 marks) – arithmetic, problem solving, geometry, and data questions.
General Studies (40 marks) – combined knowledge of Basic Science, Social Studies, Agriculture, Health, and Civic Education.
Paper 2 contributes 140 marks to the total.
Overall Total
When combined, Paper 1 and Paper 2 give a total of 200 marks (60 + 140).
Half of these marks (100 out of 200) come directly from English and Mathematics, which means these subjects have the biggest impact on overall performance.
Weighting: Where the Marks Really Matter
Although every subject contributes to the total, not all are equally weighted.
Here’s the approximate mark distribution by percentage:
Mathematics: 25%
English: 25%
Quantitative Reasoning: 10%
Verbal Reasoning: 10%
General Studies: 20%
This breakdown shows that Mathematics and English together account for about half of the total marks.
Reasoning (Quantitative + Verbal) takes about one-fifth, and General Studies makes up the remaining fifth.
💬 Exam Coach Insight: Many pupils with average English and Maths skills score well overall because they practise reasoning daily, it sharpens accuracy and decision-making.
Example of Score Calculation
To understand how scores combine, imagine a pupil receives the following marks:
Verbal Reasoning – 12 out of 15
Quantitative Reasoning – 10 out of 15
Mathematics – 50 out of 65
English – 52 out of 65
General Studies – 30 out of 40
When added together, this pupil’s total score is 154 out of 200, which is a strong performance. In many states, this score would be well above the cut-off point for Unity College admission.
Common Marking Rules
Here’s how NECO markers assess and award points:
Objective questions are worth one mark each. There is no negative marking, so pupils should attempt every question.
Written answers in English or Maths are marked for both working and accuracy — correct methods earn partial credit even if the final answer is wrong.
Comprehension and composition are graded for understanding, structure, clarity, and grammar.
General Studies questions reward concise, fact-based answers rather than long explanations.
🧾 Exam Coach Top Tip: Neatness helps. Markers can only award method marks if they can read your child’s working.
Common Mistakes That Lose Marks
1️⃣ Leaving questions blank
There’s no penalty for guessing, so pupils should always make an attempt.
2️⃣ Poor time management
Spending too long on one question can mean losing easy marks at the end of the paper.
3️⃣ Ignoring instructions
Questions sometimes ask for two correct options or short written responses — not reading carefully can cost marks.
4️⃣ Weak English writing
In the composition section, short or unclear answers lose points. Pupils should practise writing full, organised paragraphs.
5️⃣ Calculation errors
Simple arithmetic mistakes are common. Encourage double-checking by estimating answers first.
6️⃣ Untidy presentation
In Maths especially, unclear working or missing steps can prevent partial credit.
💡 Exam Coach Top Tip: Remind pupils to underline final answers neatly and number questions clearly.
How Cut-Off Scores Are Determined
After marking, NECO sends all results to the Federal Ministry of Education, which sets state and school cut-off marks.
Cut-offs vary each year depending on:
The overall difficulty of the exam
How well candidates performed nationwide
The number of places available in each school
Typical trends show:
Southern states (e.g. Lagos, Anambra, Oyo) often have higher cut-offs — around 150–170 marks.
Middle-belt regions usually range from 130–150 marks.
Northern states may have lower thresholds, typically 100–130 marks.
⚠️ Note: These are only historical averages. Always wait for NECO’s official release of cut-off marks after results are announced.
Improvement Tips: Boosting Your Child’s Score
1️⃣ Prioritise Maths and English
Together they make up half the total marks. Daily short practice sessions help more than long weekend revisions.
2️⃣ Build Reasoning Strength
Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning questions develop the quick thinking needed for tougher sections.
3️⃣ Take Timed Mocks
Replicating the 200-mark format under exam conditions helps pupils learn time management.
4️⃣ Track Mistakes
Keep a simple record of recurring errors — for example, misreading instructions or missing easy arithmetic steps.
5️⃣ Ask for Feedback
Tutors can identify issues with grammar, calculation, or comprehension that parents might overlook.
6️⃣ Review and Rest
Fatigue causes errors. Schedule regular breaks and maintain a steady pace rather than cramming.
Final Thoughts
The NCEE marking system rewards steady, structured preparation, not last-minute cramming. By understanding how marks are allocated, you can help your child target the areas that matter most.
At The Exam Coach, our students improve fastest when they combine:
Focused practice in high-weight subjects (Maths and English)
Regular reasoning drills for mental agility
Real mock tests with personalised marking feedback
