The results of the 2025 Gambia Basic Education Certificate Examination (GABECE) showcase notable student success in essential curriculum areas, especially in science and social and environmental studies (SES), which achieved the highest pass rates.
On Tuesday, 23 September 2025, Habibatou Drame, the Minister of Basic and Secondary Education, announced the results, emphasizing ongoing improvements in all four core subjects.
Minister Drame reported that 16,283 students successfully passed science, while 17,280 passed SES—both indicating improvements from 2023. She observed that science consistently documents gradual rises in credit-grade scores, while SES has upheld robust credit-level performance. “With science observing a sustained improvement in credit grade scores and SES upholding robust credit performance,” she stated.
English and mathematics yielded positive outcomes, with approximately 5,800 to 5,900 students achieving credit passes in each subject. “This indicates a significant number of learners excelling in these essential areas. Drame stated that these results underscore the continuous progress and enduring accomplishments in four curriculum subjects.
This year’s examinations saw 60 students attain the highest possible aggregate score of 6. The minister characterized this group as “a robust foundation of exceptional accomplishment at the peak of the grading scale,” highlighting the degree of academic excellence among upper basic students. “This group of exceptional performers embodies a solid basis of remarkable accomplishment at the highest level of grading skill,” she stated.
A total of 15,607 candidates across the nation achieved an aggregate score of 42 or higher, reflecting a significant rise from the 14,761 recorded in 2024. This marks the second year in a row of growth in students achieving this important performance benchmark. In 2025, over 53.8% of all candidates achieved or surpassed this level, indicating an increase in academic standards across various regions.
Minister Drame also emphasized the gender trends reflected in the results. Female students maintained their strong performance, with 9,675 girls attaining an aggregate score of 42 or higher—accounting for 55.4% of female candidates, an increase from 51.9% in 2024. Male students also showed progress, with 5,932 boys (51.3% of male candidates) achieving the benchmark.
“These results showcase not only increased female participation overall, but also a notable level of girls’ excellence at the pinnacle of examination performance, indicating promising progress towards gender parity in educational outcomes,” she added.
