In Nigeria, the academic grading system for Colleges of Education (COEs) is strictly regulated by the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE). As of January 2026, the system continues to emphasize a balanced approach between practical classwork and formal examinations to produce specialized teachers for basic education.
The following update reflects the 2025/2026 academic standards, including the newly emphasized digital transformation and the revised minimum credit requirements for graduation.
2026 Unified Grading System (NCE)
The NCCE mandates a 40/60 split for all courses. This means your daily effort in class is nearly as important as your final exam score.
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Continuous Assessment (40%): Includes formal tests, informal quizzes, laboratory work, field reports, and workshop practice.
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Semester Examination (60%): A comprehensive final assessment held at the end of each semester.
Standardized Grading Scale
The following table shows the percentage scores, letter grades, and grade points used to calculate your standing.
| Percentage Score | Letter Grade | Grade Point (GP) | Remark |
| 70% – 100% | A | 5.0 | Distinction |
| 60% – 69% | B | 4.0 | Credit |
| 50% – 59% | C | 3.0 | Merit |
| 45% – 49% | D | 2.0 | Pass |
| 40% – 44% | E | 1.0 | Low Pass |
| 0% – 39% | F | 0.0 | Fail |
Continuous Assessment (Makes Up 40% of Total) and Semester Examination (60%)
The importance of Continuous Assessment in the overall evaluation of Nigeria Certificate in Education (N.C.E.) cannot be overstated.
The course grade is determined by a combination of C.A. scores and end-of-semester examination results.
Colleges of Education and other N.C.E. awarding institutions use a 40 percent C.A. and a 60 percent examination range.
The following is approved by the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE):
- In light of the work input expected from students in diverse programmes, colleges of education are required to adopt the 40 percent weighting for Continuous Assessment and 60 weighting for semester examinations.
- Students’ Continuous Assessment (via formal and informal tests) should be given more weight. Laboratories, field/assignment, workshops, studios, and other settings appropriate to respective disciplines should be used as an assessment.
Tabular Representation of the Grading System for Grades A to F
| Percentage Scores | Letter Grade | Grade Points (G.P.) |
| 70-100 | A | 5 |
| 60-69 | B | 4 |
| 50-59 | C | 3 |
| 45-49 | D | 2 |
| 40-44 | E | 1 |
| 0-39 | F | 0 |
The Credit Units (CU) vary depending on the number of contact hours allotted to each course per week semester and the number of works students have to do.
Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated by dividing the total number of Grade Points by the number of Course Units in a semester.
Degree Classification (CGPA)
Your final Nigeria Certificate in Education (N.C.E.) is classified based on your Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) across all three years of study.
| CGPA Range | Class of Pass |
| 4.50 – 5.00 | Distinction |
| 3.50 – 4.49 | Credit |
| 2.40 – 3.49 | Merit |
| 1.50 – 2.39 | Pass |
| 1.00 – 1.49 | Low Pass |
| 0.00 – 0.99 | Fail |
2026 Requirements for Graduation
To be eligible for graduation in 2026, a student must meet the NCCE Minimum Standards, which include earning a minimum of 108 to 130 credits depending on the specific subject combination. The core distribution is as follows:
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General Studies (GSE): 18 – 19 Credits
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Education Courses: 30 – 36 Credits
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Teaching Practice (TP): 6 Credits (Compulsory 6-month placement)
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Major Subject 1: 36 – 38 Credits
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Major Subject 2: 36 – 38 Credits
Key Changes in 2026
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Abolition of Resit Exams: Under current NCCE guidelines, resit examinations remain abolished. Students who fail a course must register and “carry it over” to the next available semester.
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Digital Skills: The 2025/2026 curriculum review has integrated digital literacy. Students are now assessed on their ability to use tech tools for lesson delivery as part of their C.A. scores.
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Specialist Focus: NCE programs are now more “level-specific,” meaning you are trained specifically as a specialist for either Early Childhood, Primary, or Junior Secondary education.
Important Resources
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NCCE Official Website: Access the full digitized “Minimum Standards” documents.
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NCCE News Portal: Stay updated on digital reforms and leadership milestones.
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TRCN Portal: Registration for the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria upon graduation.
How to Calculate GPA and CGPA for College of Education
The table below shows the approved grading system in Nigerian colleges of education:
| Percentage Scores | Letter Grade | Grade Points (GP) | Cumulative Grade (CGPA) | Level of Pass in a Subject |
| 70-100 | A | 5 | 4.50 – 5.00 | Distinction |
| 60-69 | B | 4 | 3.50 – 4.40 | Credit |
| 50-59 | C | 3 | 2.40 – 3.49 | Merit |
| 45-49 | D | 2 | 1.50 – 2.39 | Pass |
| 40-44 | E | 1 | 1.0 – 1.49 | Low Pass |
| 0-39 | F | 0 | -0.99 | Fail |
Grade Point Average (GPA) is the average of the weighted grade points achieved in the semester’s courses.
The Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated by multiplying each course’s Grade Point by the number of credit units awarded to that course, then summing and dividing by the total number of credit units taken during the semester.
The Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) is the most recent average of a student’s Grade Points earned in a program of study.
It is a measure of a student’s overall performance at any stage during their training.
Here is the formula for calculating the Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA):
Sum of total grade points x respective credit units for semester ÷ Total credit units for all courses registered by the students.
For a student studying in a college of education to be able to graduate, he/she must obtain a minimum of 30 credits, which includes all mandatory courses for each major field as well as all required General Studies courses.
Requirements for Graduation
The following are the distributions of the minimum credits necessary for graduation:
General Studies Courses: 19 Credits
Education Courses: 36 Credits
Teaching Practice: 6 Credits
First Teaching Subject: 38 Credits
Second Teaching Subject: Between 36 and 38 Credits.
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