BECE Candidate Sends Emotional Message to Examiner After Writing Math: “Have Mercy on Me”
A candidate sitting for the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) has gone viral on social media after sending an emotional plea to the examiner who will mark her Mathematics paper.
The student, identified as Anita Ocansey, openly admitted that she found the Mathematics paper very difficult and appealed to the examiner to be lenient while marking her script. Her emotional reaction has touched many Ghanaians online, especially students who also struggled with the paper.
According to reports, Anita said she did her best despite finding several questions challenging. Speaking in a video after the examination, she explained that she was only confident about answering questions involving the frequency table and some parts of the paper.
In her emotional appeal, she said:
“Examiner, my name is Ocansey Anita. I beg you, if you see my paper, have mercy on me because the maths killed me.”
The statement quickly spread across social media platforms, with many people reacting to her honesty and courage. Some users sympathised with her situation, while others encouraged her not to lose hope because many students often feel nervous after writing Mathematics during BECE.
The 2026 BECE officially began on Monday, May 4, and is expected to end on May 11. More than 620,000 candidates across Ghana are participating in this year’s examination organised by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).
In recent days, several education stakeholders and public officials have been sending messages of encouragement to candidates nationwide. Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu urged students to remain calm, confident, and avoid examination malpractice throughout the examination period.
The emotional video from Anita has also sparked conversations about the pressure students face during national examinations, especially in subjects like Mathematics. Many social media users shared their own experiences, saying they also struggled with Mathematics during their time in school.
Others used the moment to encourage candidates not to panic after writing difficult papers, reminding them that one challenging subject does not determine their entire future.
Meanwhile, education authorities continue to monitor examination centres across the country to ensure a smooth and fair process. Teachers, parents, and officials have repeatedly advised candidates to stay focused and trust in their preparation.
As the BECE continues nationwide, many students remain hopeful of achieving good grades despite the challenges they may face in certain subjects. Anita’s emotional message has now become one of the most talked-about moments of this year’s examination season.