In a groundbreaking move aimed at embracing technological advancement in education, the West African Examination Council (WAEC) has announced its plan to transition to computer-based testing (CBT) for the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) for private candidates.
The announcement, made in a statement signed by Moyosola Adesina, the acting head of the public affairs unit of WAEC on Monday, heralds a significant transformation in the way students will take the exam.
Starting with the 2024 mock SSCE, scheduled for February 2024, WAEC will introduce objective tests that will be entirely computer-based. However, for the essay and practical papers, the council will adopt a hybrid approach, with questions displayed on computer screens, and candidates providing handwritten answers in paper booklets.
“In line with global best practices, 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 statement read.
Furthermore, the computer-based exams will be conducted in urban centers and cities across the country, and special accommodations will be made for candidates with special needs to ensure they can participate fully in the new format. Registration for the CBT-based SSCE for private candidates will open on Monday, December 18, 2023.
To help students adapt to the new examination platform, WAEC has arranged for a mock examination to take place in February 2024, ahead of the main exam. The council strongly encourages all prospective candidates to enhance their computer skills and be fully prepared to embrace this innovative change.
“As Africa’s foremost exam body, providing reliable educational assessment and encouraging academic and moral excellence, it is the vision of the council that, in the near future, all its exams will be delivered via the computer,” the statement concluded.
The move to CBT for SSCE private candidates marks a significant step towards modernizing education and aligning with global trends in assessment methods. WAEC’s decision reflects a commitment to enhancing the examination experience and ensuring that candidates are well-prepared for the challenges of the digital age.
