NECO SSCE/GCE External Timetable 2025 (PDF Download)

Are you preparing for the 2025 NECO GCE External examination? Great news! The National Examinations Council (NECO) has officially released the NECO GCE External Timetable for 2025, also known as the Nov/Dec Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE External). This examination is primarily for private candidates who are not currently enrolled in a secondary school but wish to obtain a valid O’level result for admission or employment purposes.

In this post, we will provide the complete NECO GCE timetable for 2025, including the exam dates, subjects, time slots, and a free downloadable PDF version to help you plan effectively. Whether you're aiming for university admission or just want to upgrade your results, this guide is essential for your exam preparation.

Who Can Take the NECO GCE External Exam?

This exam is open to:

Adults looking to complete their secondary education
Candidates who missed or failed a previous SSCE exam
Individuals needing credits in specific subjects for admission
Those seeking better job opportunities with a complete O’level certificate

NECO SSCE External Exam Starting and Ending Dates

According to the official release by NECO:

Examination Begins: Wednesday, 26th November 2025
Examination Ends: Saturday, 13th December 2025

NECO GCE External Timetable 2025 PDF Download

The NECO timetable is available as a PDF file for easy download and offline access. Click the link below to download the exam schedule:

📥 Direct link to the PDF: Download NECO SSCE External Timetable 2025

Full SSCE External Timetable 2025 (Simplified Format)

To make it easy to read and plan, we’ve also broken down the full timetable into a day-by-day list. Each day contains the subjects and exact time slots.

Wednesday, 26th November 2025

Civic Education Paper III (Objective) – 1hr | 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Civic Education Paper II (Essay) – 2hrs | 11:00 am – 1:00 pm

Thursday, 27th November 2025

Marketing Paper III (Objective) – 1hr | 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Marketing Paper II (Essay) – 1hr 40mins | 11:00 am – 12:40 pm

Friday, 28th November 2025

Christian Religious Studies Paper III (Objective) – 1hr | 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Christian Religious Studies Paper II (Essay) – 1hr 30mins | 11:00 am – 12:30 pm

Saturday, 29th November 2025

Financial Accounting Paper III (Objective) – 1hr 20mins | 10:00 am – 11:20 am

Financial Accounting Paper II (Theory & Practice) – 2hrs 30mins | 11:20 am – 1:50 pm

Monday, 1st December 2025

Agricultural Science Paper III (Objective) – 1hr | 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Agricultural Science Paper II (Essay) – 1hr 30mins | 11:00 am – 12:30 pm

Agricultural Science Paper I (Alternative to Practical) – 1hr 30mins | 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm

Tuesday, 2nd December 2025

Commerce Paper III (Objective) – 1hr | 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Commerce Paper II (Essay) – 1hr 40mins | 11:00 am – 12:40 pm

Wednesday, 3rd December 2025

Biology Paper III (Objective) – 1hr | 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Biology Paper II (Essay) – 1hr 30mins | 11:00 am – 12:30 pm

Biology Paper I (Alternative to Practical) – 2hrs | 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Thursday, 4th December 2025

Geography Paper III (Objective) – 1hr | 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Geography Paper I (Practical) – 1hr 30mins | 11:00 am – 12:30 pm

Geography Paper II (Essay) – 2hrs | 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Friday, 5th December 2025

Islamic Studies Paper III (Objective) – 1hr | 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Islamic Studies Paper II (Essay) – 1hr 30mins | 11:00 am – 12:30 pm

Saturday, 6th December 2025

Literature in English Paper III (Objective) – 1hr | 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Literature in English Paper IV (Prose) – 2hrs | 11:00 am – 1:00 pm

Literature in English Paper II (Drama & Poetry) – 1hr 40mins | 2:00 pm – 3:40 pm

Monday, 8th December 2025

Physics Paper III (Objective) – 1hr 15mins | 10:00 am – 11:15 am

Physics Paper II (Essay) – 1hr 45mins | 11:15 am – 1:00 pm

Physics Paper I (Alternative to Practical) – 2hrs 45mins | 2:00 pm – 4:45 pm

Tuesday, 9th December 2025

General Mathematics Paper III (Objective) – 1hr 45mins | 10:00 am – 11:45 am

General Mathematics Paper II (Essay) – 2hrs 30mins | 12:00 noon – 2:30 pm

Wednesday, 10th December 2025

Economics Paper III (Objective) – 1hr | 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Economics Paper II (Essay) – 2hrs | 11:00 am – 1:00 pm

Thursday, 11th December 2025

Chemistry Paper III (Objective) – 1hr 30mins | 10:00 am – 11:30 am

Chemistry Paper II (Essay) – 1hr 30mins | 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

Chemistry Paper I (Alternative to Practical) – 2hrs | 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Friday, 12th December 2025

Government Paper III (Objective) – 1hr | 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Government Paper II (Essay) – 1hr 40mins | 11:00 am – 12:40 pm

Saturday, 13th December 2025

English Language Paper III (Objective) – 1hr | 10:00 am – 11:00 am

English Language Paper II (Essay) – 1hr 45mins | 11:15 am – 1:00 pm

English Language Paper IV (Test of Orals) – 45mins | 1:15 pm – 2:00 pm

CANDIDATES SHOULD NOTE THE FOLLOWING:

It is mandatory that each candidate has a photocard for identification.
Candidates are expected to be seated 30 minutes before the commencement of each subject/paper.
Where the time on the virtual question paper differs from the time on this timetable, the time on the virtual question paper should be strictly adhered to.
Albinos and blind candidates are to be given 30 minutes extra time across all papers.
Use of scientific calculator is allowed.
Bringing into the examination hall electronic communication gadgets (programmable calculators, mobile phones, iPads, tablets, smart wrist watches/glasses/pens etc) are strictly prohibited.

How to Use the NECO SSCE External Timetable

Understanding your timetable is the first step to success. Here's what you should do:

Check Subject Dates: Identify the exact dates and times for all your registered subjects.
Avoid Clashes: Confirm that none of your subjects overlap.
Make a Study Plan: Create a reading timetable based on your exam schedule.
Practice Past Questions: NECO questions often follow a pattern—mastering NECO past questions helps improve speed and accuracy.
Prepare Your Materials: Get your writing materials, calculator, and identification ready ahead of time.

Frequently Asked Questions About NECO Exams

1. When will the 2025 NECO GCE External Exam Start and End?
The 2025 NECO GCE External Examination is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, 26th November 2025, and end on Saturday, 13th December 2025. Candidates should consult the full timetable for specific subject dates and times.

2. Where can I download the NECO GCE External Timetable 2025 in PDF?
You can download the official NECO GCE 2025 timetable in PDF format directly from this page by clicking on the PDF download link provided above. It’s free and accessible for all candidates.

3. Who is eligible to register for the NECO GCE External Exam?
The NECO GCE External Exam is designed for private candidates—individuals who are not currently enrolled in any secondary school but wish to sit for the SSCE exams for academic or career reasons.

4. Is the NECO GCE result accepted for university admission in Nigeria?
Yes, NECO GCE (SSCE External) results are fully accepted by Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education for admission purposes, just like the school-based NECO SSCE.

5. What is the duration of most NECO GCE papers?
Durations vary by subject and paper type. For example, Objective Papers typically last 1 hour, while Essay or Theory Papers may last 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes. Check your specific subjects on the timetable.

6. Can I use a calculator in the NECO GCE exam?
Yes. Scientific calculators are allowed in the exam hall, but programmable calculators and any other electronic communication gadgets are strictly prohibited.

7. What items are prohibited in the NECO GCE examination hall?
Candidates are not allowed to bring mobile phones, tablets, smartwatches, smart pens/glasses, iPads, programmable calculators, or any form of electronic communication device into the hall.

8. Do albinos and visually impaired candidates get extra time in NECO GCE?
Yes. According to NECO guidelines, albinos and blind candidates are given 30 minutes extra time for all papers to accommodate their special needs.

9. What happens if the time on the question paper differs from the timetable?
If there’s any discrepancy, the time stated on the question paper should be strictly followed, not the one on the timetable.

10. Is it compulsory to have a NECO photo card before entering the exam hall?
Absolutely. Every candidate must present their NECO GCE photocard for identification before they will be allowed to write any paper.

The release of the NECO GCE External Timetable 2025 is a key step for every private candidate preparing for the exam. With the full schedule now available, it's time to plan wisely, read consistently, and stay focused. This timetable helps you avoid confusion and allows you to set realistic study goals for each subject.

Be sure to download the PDF, share it with friends and fellow candidates, and check back regularly for updates. Best of luck in your exams!