WAEC Begins Computer based WASSCE, Customized Questions Papers For School Candidates

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced the introduction of Computer based examimation and paper variations or customized papers for conduct of the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), for school candidates, as part of measures being taken to checkmate examination malpractice.

Head of the Nigeria National Office of the Sub-Africa regional examimation council, Dr. Amos Dangut made this known on Thursday during a media briefing held at its Headquarters in Yaba, Lagos

"This new examination format, which will see candidates receive unique questions, will be implemented for the first time during the WASSCE, which is scheduled to take place from April 24 to June 20, 2025", he revealed 

The HNO expressed the Council’s commitment to integrating modern technology in examination administration.

"As an organization that believes in the use of modern Information and Communications Technology, we are excited to introduce Computer-based WASSCE for School Candidates,” he stated.

“From this year onwards, no two candidates will have the same questions, which is a significant step towards upholding academic integrity," he added 

The 2025 examination according to him,  will accommodate a staggering one million , nine hundred and seventy-three thousand, two hundred and fifty-three  (1,973,253 )candidates from twenty-three thousand , five hundred and fifty-four  (23,554 ) schools

The total number of the candidates include nine hundred and seventy-nine thousand, two hundred and twenty-eight  (979,228)males and nine hundred and ninety-four thousand and twenty five (994,025) females. 

"This marks an increase in both male and female participants compared to previous years. “The statistics indicate a continued growth in female participation, which is encouraging,” Dr. Dangut noted.

Dr. Dangut stated that the National Identification Number, NIN has been incorporated as a component, so as to improve on the registration process by candidates for the examination

 He then  emphasized that it was not mandatory at the initial stage to facilitate easier registration.

"We wanted to ensure all candidates could access the registration portal without unnecessary barriers,” he explained

Dr Dangut reacting to the ongoing security concerns,  acknowledged the challenges posed by insecurity in the country.

 “We cannot ignore the realities of conducting examinations amidst insecurity. In the previous WASSCE, we faced threats in certain areas, but we managed to ensure that examinations continued safely,” he said. He highlighted WAEC’s partnership with the Nigeria Police Force and various state governments to bolster sec', he stated 

The examination council reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards examination malpractice.

 “We are committed to decisively dealing with any form of examination fraud,” Dr. Dangut warned. “The penalties for involvement in malpractice will be strictly enforced to maintain the integrity of our examinations", he warned