The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) is forging ahead with its groundbreaking move to conduct the first-ever Computer Based Test (CBT) for the WASSCE for private candidates. Dr. Amos Josiah Dangut, the council’s Head of National Office, affirmed this during a media parley in Lagos on Monday.
Despite initial resistance to the innovative approach, WAEC has finalized arrangements for the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) first series for private candidates in CBT format. The exam is scheduled to take place from January 31 to February 17, spanning two weeks and four days.
Embracing innovation, WAEC Nigeria is venturing into hybrid mode, presenting candidates with an alternative to the traditional Pen and Paper model. The hybrid mode involves rendering Objective or Multiple Choice questions on-screen, with candidates responding directly on the screen. Essay and Practical questions will also be displayed on-screen, and candidates will provide responses using answer booklets.
With 8,285 candidates registered as of January 29, the acceptance of this innovation is evident. Of these, 3,949 are male (47.66%), and 4,336 are female (52.3%). The examination will cover 19 subjects, comprising 26 papers.
To ensure a successful and secure examination, WAEC has trained carefully selected examination officials as proctors. Additionally, an e-learning portal and tutorial videos on navigating the examination portal have been made available to candidates.
Dr. Dangut announced that results would be released 45 days after the last paper, and certificates could be accessed digitally via the WAEC Digital Certificate portal. CBT centers across the nation have been inspected and equipped, with trial tests and mock examinations conducted to ensure a seamless process.
Amidst extensive publicity through mass media and social media outlets, WAEC reaffirms its commitment to enhancing educational goals by leveraging Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in its 71 years of existence.
