NCEE Preparation Calendar 2025 — Month-by-Month Roadmap
The National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) may only take place once a year, but true preparation spans months.
Parents often ask:
“When should we start?”
“What should my child be doing each month?”
Without structure, preparation quickly turns stressful.
That’s why The Exam Coach has created this Month-by-Month NCEE Preparation Calendar for 2025 — a clear roadmap covering everything from early revision to mock practice and final exam readiness.
Use it as a guide to keep your child calm, confident, and on course.
The 3 Phases of Successful Preparation
The NCEE journey typically follows three stages:
Foundation (January – March): Build concepts, learn skills, and establish routine.
Acceleration (April – June): Strengthen exam techniques and mock practice.
Refinement (July – Exam): Polish weak areas and maintain confidence.
Each phase plays a distinct role in maximising scores. Let’s break down what to do month by month.
January – March: Foundation and Routine Building
The earlier you start, the less pressure you face later. These first three months are about laying a solid base for every subject.
1️⃣ Set Goals and Understand the Exam
Begin by familiarising your child with the NCEE format:
Paper I → Mathematics and General Science
Paper II → English and General Studies
Then set SMART goals — for example:
“Score 150+ by the March mock.”
“Complete five past papers per month.”
2️⃣ Build a Daily Study Routine
45 minutes per subject, 4 days a week.
Rotate Maths, English, and Reasoning.
Sundays → light review or educational games.
Keep a study calendar visible — structure builds discipline.
3️⃣ Focus on Core Skills
During January to March, your child should focus on building strong foundations across all five NCEE subjects. Each subject requires a slightly different approach:
English Language — Concentrate on comprehension, grammar, and vocabulary. Encourage daily reading and short writing tasks. Discuss meanings of new words in context to improve both understanding and retention.
Mathematics — Strengthen confidence with the basics: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Introduce fractions and word problems early to develop logical problem-solving skills.
Verbal Reasoning — Practise recognising patterns, matching synonyms and antonyms, and arranging sentences in logical order. These skills improve both language use and critical thinking.
Quantitative Reasoning — Focus on identifying numerical patterns, completing sequences, and solving puzzles that require multiple reasoning steps. Encourage your child to explain how they arrived at each answer.
General Studies — Revise simple science and social knowledge topics, including environmental awareness, Nigerian geography, and health education. Use real-life examples and discussions to make learning interactive.
A balanced mix of these subjects throughout the week helps build your child’s confidence and reduces the risk of over-focusing on one area. For ready-made materials and structured practice papers, visit the NCEE Past Questions and Answers page.
4️⃣ Track Progress Weekly
At the end of each week:
Check topics covered.
Review wrong answers together.
Reward effort, not just marks.
💡 Exam Coach Tip: Parents who monitor consistently see average scores improve by 15–20 marks by April.
5️⃣ Join a Structured Tuition Programme
By February, consider joining The Exam Coach’s Online English Tuition programme or weekly workshops for extra support.
Expert guidance ensures your child’s foundation topics are strong before mock season begins.
April – June: Acceleration and Mock Mastery
This is the most intense and productive phase.
The goal: build exam technique, speed, and confidence.
1️⃣ Increase Practice Volume
Complete 2–3 full past papers per week.
Time each session to mirror the real exam.
Review mistakes immediately after each test.
Use our free downloads and mock papers via the NCEE Past Questions page.
2️⃣ Introduce Weekly Mocks
Take full-length mock exams every Saturday morning from April onward.
Mark and analyse each paper within 24 hours to track progress.
Log scores in a simple spreadsheet: Maths | English | Reasoning | Total | Notes.
3️⃣ Refine Exam Skills
Focus on the three pillars of performance:
Speed: Timed quizzes and mental maths.
Accuracy: Rechecking work and avoiding careless errors.
Understanding: Mastering question patterns and key words.
Encourage your child to verbalise answers — explaining thought process improves recall.
4️⃣ Develop Test Stamina
The NCEE runs for several hours. Simulate this at home by combining two papers in one sitting.
Teach hydration and light breaks between sections.
🧠 Exam Coach Reminder: Exam success is as much about endurance as knowledge.
5️⃣ Evaluate Mock Feedback
Every mock contains a lesson.
Ask:
Where were marks lost?
Was it timing, understanding, or carelessness?
How can we improve next week?
Apply feedback immediately — this turns practice into progress.
6️⃣ Balance Stress and Rest
Avoid over-drilling as the exam approaches.
Include fun learning activities like word games and puzzles to keep motivation high.
July – Exam Day: Refinement and Confidence
These final weeks are about fine-tuning, not cramming.
Your child should already understand the syllabus — now it’s time to consolidate and mentally prepare.
1️⃣ Focus on Weak Areas
Revisit topics where mock scores were lowest:
Grammar rules and comprehension traps
Complex fractions and word problems
Time and speed questions
Logical sequences and pattern recognition
Short, daily sessions (20–30 minutes) work better than marathons now.
2️⃣ Take Final Mock Exams
The final two mocks should simulate the real test day completely.
Time starts, breaks, and question formats must match the actual NCEE.
Track scores to ensure steady progress and confidence.
3️⃣ Review Exam Strategy
Teach simple exam-room habits:
Read instructions carefully.
Attempt every question (no negative marking).
Manage time — 1 minute per objective question.
Leave 5–10 minutes to check answers.
Remind your child that calmness is a superpower on exam day.
4️⃣ Final Preparation Checklist
Documents: Photocard, birth certificate copy, 2 biros, ruler, eraser.
Logistics: Confirm venue and arrival time a day before.
Mindset: No late-night revision — review lightly, sleep well, and eat a balanced breakfast.
5️⃣ Post-Exam Reflection
After the exam, celebrate effort — regardless of outcome.
Discuss what went well and what could improve next time.
This keeps learning ongoing and builds resilience for future academic goals.
Resources for Parents and Students
Here’s a quick reference list of recommended tools to support each phase:
✅ January – March
NCEE Past Question Booklets
Flashcards for vocabulary and maths facts
Daily reading practice materials
✅ April – June
Online mock tests and score trackers
Progress charts and timed exercises
✅ July – Exam Day
Quick-review notes and cheat sheets
Mental maths apps and reasoning games
Calm music and guided breathing for relaxation
💬 Parent Reminder: Consistency beats intensity. Even 20 focused minutes daily is better than a five-hour cram on Saturday.
Final Thoughts
The NCEE isn’t won in a single month — it’s built across steady months of preparation, routine, and feedback.
By following this calendar, you’ll transform stressful revision into structured progress.
At The Exam Coach, we guide families through each step, from early planning to mock feedback and final exam support, so no child faces the NCEE alone.
Start early. Stay consistent. Believe in progress and take it one month at a time.
