Computer Based Test: WAEC Says Gradual Process Will Be Adopted

By Ayodele Oni

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has clarified that introduction of Computer Based Test (CBT) for the conduct of school leaving certificate examinations will be in gradual process.

Reacting to a call by a Northern Youth Forum for the rejection of the Computer Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination (CB-WASSCE) the council explained that private Candidates would first be used as experiment.

A statement issued by the council’s Acting Head of Public Affairs, Moyosola Adesina reads: “The attention of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has been drawn to a media report stating that a youth forum has called for the rejection of the planned Computer Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination (CB-WASSCE) for Private Candidates – First Series, 2024.

“The said the examination to be conducted by WAEC Nigeria is scheduled to hold between January 31 and February 17, 2024.

According to spokesperson, the agitation for the rejection of the CB-WASSCE was in response to an earlier media report in which WAEC announced that it had ditched the Paper and Pencil Testing model and had adopted the Computer Based Testing model for the conduct of the School Candidates’ Examination.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the West African Examinations Council hereby states unequivocally, that it had never announced the adoption of the Computer Based Testing model for the conduct of the WASSCE for School.

“The Council is not unaware of possible challenges that may be encountered by candidates during the conduct of the examination.

“To this end, a trial test and a free mock examination have been scheduled to take place on WAEC’s designated platforms for prospective candidates, whether secondary school students or out-of-school individuals, to familiarize themselves with the testing environment, prior to the commencement of the WASSCE for Private Candidates – First Series, 2024.

“Notification for the mock examination will be sent to prospective candidates through their emails. Announcements for the scheduled mock examination will also be made through mainstream and new media.

“In addition, candidates are also advised to visit WAEC Nigeria’s website and social media spaces for relevant information and guidelines on how to navigate the CB-WASSCE platform.”

According to the spokesperson, WAEC Nigeria has engaged the services of CBT centres across the Country, to check their suitability to host candidates for the CB-WASSCE, throughout its duration.