Solomon
The 2025 NECO timetable has officially been released.
Every senior secondary school student in Nigeria now has a fixed schedule to follow.
Whether you started studying months ago or are just beginning to revise, this is the time to lock in.
The NECO 2025 timetable is your blueprint for navigating the exams happening across June and July.
It details every subject, practical, and written paper.
You can’t afford to rely on guesswork anymore.
If you miss a paper, there are no makeups.
This article presents the complete NECO SSCE schedule, special rules, practical dates, and guidelines for all students preparing to sit this important national exam.
You’ll also discover some behind-the-scenes rules that may affect your exam day.
Let’s begin with the most important question.
When Do 2025 NECO Exams Begin?
The 2025 NECO SSCE exams officially begin on Monday, 16 June 2025.
The final exam will be written on Friday, 25 July 2025.
This seven-week period is packed with subjects ranging from science to arts, practicals to theory.
The first week focuses on practical exams such as Auto Mechanics, Physical Education, and Garment Making.
These early papers require demonstration of skills, not just memorized knowledge.
As the weeks progress, theory papers in core subjects like Mathematics, English, Government, and Chemistry take over the schedule.
The final paper, Agricultural Science, will bring the series to a close.
2071 Paper I: Practical – Physical Education
3051 Paper I: Practical – Auto Mechanics – 3 hrs
3071 Paper I: Practical – Woodwork – 3 hrs
3081 Paper I: Practical – Home Management – 3 hrs
3091 Paper I: Practical – Foods and Nutrition – 3 hrs
4041 Paper I: Performance Test, Music Technology/Alternative – 1 hr 30 mins
4044 Paper IV: Aural Music – 50 mins
4104 Paper IV: Oral French – 1 hr
4114 Paper IV: Oral Arabic – 1 hr 20 mins
6011 Paper I: Practical – Auto Body Repair and Spray Painting – 3 hrs
6021 Paper I: Auto Electrical Work – 3 hrs
6031 Paper I: Practical – Auto Mechanical Work – 3 hrs
6051 Paper I: Practical – Air Conditioning and Refrigeration – 2 hrs
6061 Paper I: Practical – Welding and Fabrication, Engineering Craft Practice – 6 hrs
6081 Paper I: Practical – Electrical Installation & Maintenance Work – 3 hrs
6083 Paper I: Practical – Radio, Television and Electronics Work – 3 hrs
6091 Paper I: Practical – Blocklaying, Bricklaying and Concrete Work – 5 hrs
6101 Paper IV: Exhibition – Painting and Decoration
6111 Paper I: Practical – Plumbing and Pipe Fitting – 5 hrs
6121 Paper I: Practical – Machine Woodworking – 3 hrs
6131 Paper I: Practical – Carpentry and Joinery – 4 hrs
6141 Paper I: Practical – Furniture Making – 3 hrs
6151 Paper I: Practical – Upholstery – 3 hrs
6161 Paper I: Practical – Catering Craft Practice – 3 hrs
6171 Paper I: Practical – Garment Making – 3 hrs
6184 Paper I: Practical – Clothing and Textiles – 3 hrs
6194 Paper IV: Exhibition – Dyeing and Bleaching
6204 Paper IV: Exhibition – Printing Craft Practice
6211 Paper I: Practical – Cosmetology – 3 hrs
6224 Paper IV: Exhibition – Photography
6254 Paper IV: Exhibition – Leather Goods, Manufacturing and Repair
6301 Paper I: Practical – GSM Maintenance and Repairs
6314 Paper IV: Progressive Assessments – Animal Husbandry
Monday 23rd June
6271 Paper I: Practical – Data Processing – 3 hrs
Time: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Tuesday 24th June
4102 Paper II: Written Expression – French – 1 hr
Time: 10:00 am – 11:00 am
4104 Paper III: Written Expression – French – 1 hr 45 mins
Time: 11:00 am – 12:45 pm
4042/4043 Papers II & III: Objective & Essay – Music – 2:00 pm – 3:40 pm
4031 Paper I: Practical – Electronics – 3 hrs
Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Wednesday 25th June
4112/4112 Papers III & III: Objective, Essay & Literature – Arabic – 3 hrs 30 mins
Time: 10:00 am – 1:30 pm
4022 Papers III & III: Objective & Essay – History – 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Thursday 26th June
6013/6012 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Auto-Body Repair and Spray Painting – 2 hrs 30 mins
Time: 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
6023/6022 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Auto Electrical Work – 2 hrs 30 mins
Time: 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
6033/6032 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Auto Mechanical Work – 2 hrs 30 mins
Time: 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
6063/6062 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Welding & Fabrication Engineering Craft Practice – 3 hrs
Time: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
6083/6082 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Radio, Television & Electronics Work – 2 hrs 30 mins
Time: 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
6113/6112 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Plumbing & Pipe Fitting – 2 hrs 30 mins
Time: 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
6142 Paper IV: Drawing & Design – Furniture Making – 2 hrs
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 noon
6143/6142 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Furniture Making – 1 hr 45 mins
Time: 12:15 pm – 2:00 pm
6163/6162 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Catering Craft Practice – 2 hrs
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
6183/6182 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Clothing & Textiles – 2 hrs 30 mins
Time: 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
6213/6212 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Cosmetology – 2 hrs 30 mins
Time: 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
6233/6232 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Mining – 2 hrs 45 mins
Time: 10:00 am – 12:45 pm
6253/6252 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Tourism – 1 hr 30 mins
Time: 10:00 am – 11:30 am
6273/6272 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Data Processing – 3 hrs
Time: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
6283/6282 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Storekeeping – 2 hrs 40 mins
Time: 10:00 am – 12:40 pm
6293/6292 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Bookkeeping – 1 hr 50 mins
Time: 10:00 am – 11:50 am
6303/6302 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – GSM Maintenance & Repairs – 3 hrs
Time: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
6343/6342 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Salesmanship – 2 hrs 40 mins
Time: 10:00 am – 12:40 pm
6333/6332 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Marketing – 2 hrs 40 mins
Time: 10:00 am – 12:40 pm
5033/5032 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Commerce – 2 hrs 40 mins
Time: 2:10 pm – 4:50 pm
Friday 27th June
2011 Paper I: Practical – Biology – 2 hrs
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 noon
2021 Paper I: Practical – Chemistry – 2 hrs
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 noon
Monday 30th June
5013/5012 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Store Management – 2 hrs 40 mins
Time: 2:00 pm – 4:40 pm
3053/3052 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Auto Mechanics – 2 hrs 30 mins
Time: 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Tuesday 1st July
4033/4061 Papers III & II: Objective & Practical / Physical – Geography – 2 hrs 30 mins
Time: 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
4123/4122 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Hausa – 3 hrs
Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
4133/4132 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Igbo – 3 hrs
Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
4143/4142 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Yoruba – 3 hrs
Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
4153/4152 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Edo – 3 hrs
Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
4163/4162 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Efik – 3 hrs
Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
4173/4172 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Ibibio – 3 hrs
Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Wednesday 2nd July
1013 Paper III: Objective – English Language – 1 hr
Time: 10:00 am – 11:00 am
1012 Paper II: Essay – English Language – 1 hr 45 mins
Time: 11:15 am – 1:00 pm
1014 Paper IV: Test of Orals – English Language – 45 mins
Time: 1:15 pm – 2:00 pm
5053/5052 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Insurance – 2 hrs 40 mins
Time: 2:20 pm – 5:00 pm
Thursday 3rd July
2031 Paper I: Practical – Physics – 2 hrs 45 mins
Time: 10:00 am – 12:45 pm
4073/4072 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Government – 2 hrs 40 mins
Time: 2:00 pm – 4:40 pm
3043/3042 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Electronics – 2 hrs 40 mins
Time: 2:00 pm – 4:40 pm
Friday 4th July
4062 Paper II: Essay – Human and Regional Geography – 2 hrs
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 noon
Monday 7th July
4092 Paper I: Practical – Technical Drawing – 3 hrs
Time: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
4092 Paper II: Drama & Poetry – Literature in English – 1 hr 40 mins
Time: 10:00 am – 11:40 am
2013/2022 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Biology – 2 hrs 30 mins
Time: 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Tuesday 8th July
2081 Paper II: Practical – Computer Studies – 2 hrs
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 noon
2023/2022 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Chemistry – 3 hrs
Time: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
4093/4094 Papers III & IV: Objective & Prose – Literature in English – 2 hrs 15 mins
Time: 2:00 pm – 4:15 pm
Wednesday 9th July
6101 Paper Ib: Painting and Decoration (Practical) – 6 hrs
Time: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
6191 Paper Ib: Dyeing and Bleaching (Practical) – 6 hrs
Time: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
6201 Paper Ib: Printing Craft Practice (Practical) – 6 hrs
Time: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
6221 Paper Ib: Photography (Practical) – 6 hrs
Time: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
6251 Paper Ib: Leather Goods Manufacturing and Repair (Practical) – 6 hrs
Time: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
6201 Paper I: Practical – Mining – 2 hrs
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 noon
6251 Paper I: Practical – Fisheries – 1 hr 30 mins
Time: 10:00 am – 11:30 am
6311 Paper I: Practical – Animal Husbandry – 1 hr 30 mins
Time: 10:00 am – 11:30 am
6261 Paper I: Practical – Stenography – 1 hr 17 mins
Time: 10:00 am – 11:17 am
6264 Paper IV: Practical – Stenography (Word Processing) – 2 hrs
Time: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
3013/3044 Papers III & II: Objective & Drawing – Technical Drawing – 2 hrs 30 mins
Time: 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Friday 11th July
6033/6032 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Auto Parts Merchandising – 2 hrs 15 mins
Time: 10:00 am – 12:15 pm
6053/6052 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration – 1 hr 40 mins
Time: 10:00 am – 11:40 am
6073/6072 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Electrical Installation & Maintenance Work – 2 hrs
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 noon
6093/6092 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Blocklaying, Bricklaying & Concrete Work – 2 hrs
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 noon
6123/6122 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Machine Woodworking – 1 hr 40 mins
Time: 10:00 am – 11:40 am
6133/6132 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Carpentry & Joinery – 2 hrs
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 noon
6153/6152 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Upholstery – 1 hr 30 mins
Time: 10:00 am – 11:30 am
6263/6262 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Stenography – 2 hrs
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 noon
6313/6312 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Animal Husbandry – 2 hrs
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 noon
6333/6332 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Fisheries – 2 hrs
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 noon
6101 Paper Id: Painting and Decoration (Report Writing) – 2 hrs
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 noon
6191 Paper Id: Dyeing and Bleaching (Report Writing) – 2 hrs
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 noon
6201 Paper Id: Printing Craft Practice (Report Writing) – 2 hrs
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 noon
6221 Paper Id: Photography (Report Writing) – 2 hrs
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 noon
6251 Paper Id: Leather Goods Manufacturing and Repair (Report Writing) – 2 hrs
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 noon
Monday 21st July
3061 Paper I: Drawing – Building Construction – 3 hrs
Time: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
4034 Paper IV: Creative Design – Visual Art – 3 hrs
Time: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
3033/3032 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Basic Electricity – 2 hrs 15 mins
Time: 10:00 am – 12:15 pm
4031 Paper I: Drawing – Visual Art – 3 hrs
Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Tuesday 22nd July
1033/1032 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Civic Education – 3 hrs
Time: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
2073/2072 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Physical Education – 2 hrs
Time: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
3063/3062 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Building Construction – 2 hrs
Time: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
5043/5042 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Office Practice – 3 hrs
Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Wednesday 23rd July
4013/4012 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Christian Religious Studies – 2 hrs 30 mins
Time: 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
4023/4022 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Islamic Studies – 2 hrs 30 mins
Time: 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
3093/3092 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Foods & Nutrition – 2 hrs 30 mins
Time: 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Thursday 24th July
2043 Paper III: Objective – Further Mathematics – 2 hrs
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 noon
2042 Paper II: Essay – Further Mathematics – 2 hrs 30 mins
Time: 12:00 noon – 2:30 pm
4033/4032 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Visual Art – 3 hrs
Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Friday 25th July
2063/2062 Papers III & II: Objective & Essay – Agricultural Science – 2 hrs 30 mins
Time: 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
Key NECO Rules Every Candidate Must Understand
Showing up with only your timetable and a pen won’t cut it.
NECO follows specific procedures that must be respected.
Missing even one small detail can cost you your entire exam result.
1. Photocard Is Required for Entry
You cannot enter the exam hall without your photocard.
Just knowing your name won’t help.
Your photo must match your identity.
2. Question Paper Time Overrides Timetable
If there’s ever a difference between your printed timetable and the time on your question paper, always follow the question paper.
It takes priority in all cases.
3. Group Practicals Are Scheduled Separately
Subjects like Data Processing, Computer Studies, Visual Arts, and Welding and Fabrication are not listed in the public timetable.
Their dates are assigned by NECO offices.
Always check with your school for the correct time.
Don’t assume based on the general timetable.
4. Extra Time for Special Needs Candidates
NECO allows an additional 30 minutes for students with special needs, such as albino and blind candidates.
Blind students will write using special braille sheets provided by the board.
5. Early Distribution Required for Some Exams
Subjects such as Dyeing and Bleaching, Photography, Printing Craft Practice, and Leather Work will be distributed two weeks before the exam date.
Welding and Fabrication papers require a three-week early release.
Make sure your school keeps you informed.
6. Oral Arabic and French Have Flexible Schedules
These two oral exams do not appear on the public timetable.
Your school will notify you of the exact date—often very close to the exam.
Be alert for sudden announcements.
Prohibited Items in the NECO Exam Hall
Though basic calculators are allowed, some items are strictly forbidden.
These include mobile phones, smartwatches, tablets, iPads, and any programmable devices.
If it does more than simple calculations, leave it at home.
Bringing any of these may get you removed before the exam even starts.
Skipping Practicals Means Losing the Subject
If your subject has a practical component (Paper I) and you miss it, NECO will not release your result for that subject.
Even if you score high in the written section, you will get no grade.
This rule is final.
Helpful Tips for Succeeding in NECO 2025
Knowing the timetable is not enough.
You also need to prepare wisely.
Start studying well ahead of time to avoid last-minute pressure.
Use past questions to get familiar with the exam format—not just for repetition, but for understanding patterns.
Join study groups, especially for subjects that require practical demonstrations.
Ensure you get at least seven hours of sleep before exam days.
Eat nutritious meals—don’t rely on just tea and bread to get you through hours of testing.
Final Advice Before Your First Paper
Don’t just print the timetable and forget about it.
Study it carefully.
Memorize important dates.
Missing an exam because of confusion between Tuesday and Wednesday will cost you dearly.
If you’re unsure about anything—whether it’s a subject code, exam time, or location—talk to your school’s principal or exam officer.
NECO does not accept excuses and doesn’t award sympathy marks.
Charles Esther