The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has made a groundbreaking announcement, revealing its decision to transition from the traditional Paper and Pencil Test to the Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode for the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).
The Public Affairs Unit of WAEC released a statement on Monday, with Moyosola Adesina, the acting head, underscoring this transformative shift.
According to the statement, this innovative approach will debut with the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for private candidates in February 2024.
WAEC emphasized that the move aligns with global best practices and represents a significant evolution in the assessment process.
The statement reads, “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).”
Contrasting with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), which adopted CBT for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) long ago, WAEC had cited the complexity of its examination structure, particularly the multitude of subjects and practical components, as a barrier to earlier adoption.
Despite being the oldest examination body in the West African sub-region with a 72-year history, WAEC has maintained its reputation for integrity, recognized globally for admissions and other opportunities.
Addressing concerns about the nature of WAEC’s examinations, officials, including the recently retired Head of Nigeria’s National Office, Patrick Areghan, clarified that WASSCE goes beyond ranking.
The shift to CBT marks a significant departure from WAEC’s more than 70-year reliance on the Paper-Pencil Test mode.
Challenges such as technology infrastructure availability, especially for school-based diets, and the duration of examinations were highlighted as factors influencing this decision.
WAEC’s new model for CBT implementation will feature fully computer-based “Objective Tests,” while “Essay and Test of Practical” papers will adopt a hybrid format.
Candidates will view questions on screen and write answers on provided answer booklets.
The CBT exams will be conducted in urban centers, considering candidates with special needs. Registration for the CBT-based WASSCE for Private Candidates begins on Monday, December 18, 2023.
WAEC assured prospective candidates of a mock examination to familiarize themselves with the new platform, emphasizing the importance of honing computer skills.
The examination body envisions a future where all its assessments will be delivered via computer, reinforcing its commitment to providing qualitative and reliable educational assessments while encouraging academic and moral excellence.
