BECE & WASSCE, Education

How BECE Candidates Can Choose the Right Senior High Schools for Placement

Moses Coleman
May 31, 2025

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Following these rules properly improves the likelihood of getting placed into a preferred school rather than being assigned randomly

Selecting the right Senior High School (SHS) is one of the biggest decisions for Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates.

However, with numerous schools, rules, and placement concerns, how can students make the best choices?

If you’re a BECE candidate—or a concerned parent/guardian—this article will guide you step by step through the process of selecting schools that will lead to a successful placement.

Table of Contents

Understanding the SHS Selection System

The Ghana Education Service (GES) classifies schools into three categories:

Category A – Highly competitive schools (Choose only ONE)

Category B – Popular but slightly less competitive schools (Select up to TWO)

Category C – Less competitive schools with good programs (Choose up to FIVE)

Additionally, students must select two alternative schools (Appendix 3 list) and ensure that no more than three of their main selections are boarding schools.

Following these rules properly improves the likelihood of getting placed into a preferred school rather than being assigned randomly.

Start with SHSselect.com — an easy online tool that guides you through all GES rules and helps you prepare a correct, printable school selection list.

Making Smart Choices

One of the biggest mistakes students make is selecting schools without considering their BECE performance.

Here’s a smarter way to approach the selection:

Know your strengths – If your results are strong, you can aim for a mix of Category A and B schools. If your grades are average, selecting more Category C schools increases your placement chances.

Research schools – Don’t just choose schools because of their name or popularity. Look at their programs, location, and boarding facilities.

Consider your career goals – Some schools specialise in Science, Arts, Business, or Technical programs. Make choices based on your long-term ambitions.

Avoid Common Mistakes

Using wrong school codes – Incorrect codes can lead to placement errors. Always verify school codes with your teacher or the official list.

Ignoring boarding limits – The system allows a maximum of three boarding schools among your five main choices. Exceeding this limit can affect placement.

Relying on guesswork – The SHS selection process requires precision. Make use of tools like SHSselect.com, which guides students through the selection rules, checks for errors, and generates a correct, printable school selection list.

Make the Process Easy with SHSselect.com

One tool that can simplify the process is SHSselect.com. It provides an easy-to-use online platform where students can:

Follow GES selection rules step by step
Track boarding school limits automatically
Verify school codes before submission
Download their final selection list as a printable PDF

Involve Your Parents

Students should never complete their selection alone. Parents can help check choices, confirm school codes, and offer practical advice based on experience.

This teamwork often leads to smarter decisions and a stronger chance of placement.