WASSCE 2025: KNUST Lecturer Advises SHS Graduates with D7–F9 Against Applying for Admission

A lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has cautioned Senior High School (SHS) graduates who scored D7, E8, or F9 in the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) not to waste money purchasing admission forms for the university.

Dr. Benjamin Osei Appiah, a lecturer at KNUST’s Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management, explained that the university maintains strict entry requirements. He emphasized that candidates with poor grades in core subjects such as English, Mathematics, and Science are automatically disqualified from admission. “If you have D7, E8, or F9 in English, Mathematics, or Science, don’t buy KNUST forms. You will not be admitted. The cut-off point for Hospitality and Tourism is aggregate 10, and you must have strong passes in your electives,” Dr. Appiah stated.

He further advised candidates with F9 to re-sit the exams through the WASSCE for Private Candidates (Nov/Dec or Jan/Feb sessions) before reapplying.

Cut-Off Points for 2025/2026 Admissions

KNUST has released competitive cut-off points for its programs, including:

BSc Computer Science – Aggregate 07

BSc Actuarial Science – Aggregate 10

BSc Biological Science – Aggregate 09

BSc Human Biology – Aggregate 06

LLB Law – Aggregate 06

These figures highlight the highly competitive nature of admissions, especially as the 2025 WASSCE recorded mass failures in Mathematics and Integrated Science, with over half of candidates struggling in core subjects.

The lecturer’s comments, widely shared on social media, have sparked mixed reactions:

Some praised his honesty, saying it would save students from wasting money on forms.

Others criticized the blunt delivery, arguing that struggling students need encouragement rather than discouragement.

Many agreed that re-sitting the exams is the most practical path for those with poor grades.

The 2025 WASSCE results have reignited concerns about declining performance in core subjects. Education stakeholders are calling for reforms in teaching, exam preparation, and student support systems. Universities, meanwhile, continue to uphold strict entry requirements to maintain academic standards.

Dr. Benjamin Osei Appiah’s advice serves as a reality check for SHS graduates aiming to study at KNUST. While his comments may seem harsh, they underscore the importance of meeting academic requirements and the need for students to take advantage of re-sit opportunities to strengthen their chances of admission.