Selecting a Senior High School (SHS) after completing the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) is a major step that can influence a student’s academic journey. To make informed choices, candidates are encouraged to calculate their BECE aggregates and familiarize themselves with the Computerized School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS).
To support candidates during the selection process, SHS Select has launched an online platform that enables students to calculate their BECE aggregates and receive tailored school recommendations based on their expected grades, preferred programs, geographical location, and boarding or day school preferences.
The platform is designed to help candidates make school selections that align with the guidelines of the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the CSSPS.
How to Calculate Your BECE Aggregate
Under the current BECE grading system, a candidate’s aggregate is determined using six subjects:
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Integrated Science
- Social Studies
- The two highest grades obtained from the remaining subjects
Each subject is graded on a scale of 1 to 9, with Grade 1 representing the highest performance and Grade 9 the lowest. To calculate the aggregate, candidates add the grades obtained in the four core subjects to their two best elective subjects.
A lower aggregate reflects stronger academic performance and generally increases a candidate’s chances of gaining admission into competitive senior high schools.
For instance, a candidate with the following grades:
- English Language – 2
- Mathematics – 1
- Integrated Science – 2
- Social Studies – 3
- Computing – 2
- Religious and Moral Education – 3
will have an aggregate of 13 (2 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 2 + 3 = 13).
Features of the SHS Select Platform
The SHS Select platform offers several tools to simplify the school selection process. Candidates can:
- Calculate their BECE aggregate instantly.
- Receive personalized SHS recommendations based on their results.
- Select schools in accordance with GES and CSSPS requirements.
- Filter schools by program, gender, location, and boarding or day status.
- Arrange their eight school choices in the correct order before submission.
- Download and print their completed school selection form.
By entering their examination details and preferences, candidates receive customized recommendations, making it easier to identify schools that match both their academic performance and educational goals.
Tips for Selecting the Right SHS
Education experts advise candidates to make well-informed decisions rather than choosing schools based solely on reputation. They recommend that students:
- Use their aggregate as a guide when selecting competitive schools.
- Choose programmes that align with their future career ambitions.
- Rank schools according to their genuine order of preference.
- Include a balanced combination of highly competitive and less competitive schools.
- Verify that each selected school offers their preferred programme.
- Seek advice from teachers, parents, or school counsellors before submitting their final choices.
Access the BECE Aggregate Calculator.
Candidates who wish to calculate their BECE aggregate and receive school recommendations can access the SHS Select online platform at https://shsselect.com/bece-aggregate-calculator.
The platform is intended to help students make informed school choices, minimize mistakes during the selection process, and improve their chances of securing placement into their preferred Senior High Schools through the CSSPS.