WAEC Plans Computer-based Exam For Private Candidates

West African Examinations Council (WAEC) in Nigeria is set for a computer-based West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for private candidates.

WAEC, in a statement signed by the acting head of public affairs in Nigeria, Moyosola Adesina, said it had concluded plans to migrate from paper and pencil tests to computer-based examination.

He said the first of such computer-based examinations will hold in February 2024 with the objective questions being fully computer-based, essay and test of practical papers to be done both computer-based and paper/pencil normal format (hybrid).

The examination body has continued to innovate with different milestones including its digital certificates which allows candidates to receive/download e-copy of WAEC results within few months of its release and ‘WAEC Verify ‘ another tool for institutions, corporate bodies and researchers to cross check results and certificates of prospective applicants or personalities.

Adesina said, “The Nigeria National Office of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) wishes to inform the general public, and all its stakeholders, that it has concluded plans to migrate its WASSCE for Private Candidates Examination Diets from Paper and Pencil Test to Computer Based Examination (CBE).

“The innovation will commence with WASSCE for private candidates, 2024 – First Series, which is slated to hold in February 2024. While the Objective Tests will be fully Computer Based, the Essay and Test of Practical papers will be hybrid, in which the examination questions will be delivered on screen and candidates are required to write answers on the answer booklets given to them.

“Furthermore, the examination will be conducted in urban centres/cities and candidates with special needs have been factored into the plan. Registration for the examination will commence on Monday, December 18, 2023.

“In order to enable candidates to familiarise themselves with the new examination platform, arrangements have been concluded for a mock examination to be conducted in February 2024, before the examination commences. To this end, the council implored prospective candidates to hone their computer skills and be prepared to embrace the innovation.

“As Africa’s foremost examining body, providing qualitative and reliable educational assessment, encouraging academic and moral excellence, it is the vision of the council that in the near future, all its examinations will be delivered via the computer,” Adesina said.