The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has unveiled an initiative to enhance the examination experience for private candidates by transitioning the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) from traditional paper and pencil tests to a Computer-Based Examination (CBE) format. On Monday, spokesperson Moyosola F. Adesina released a statement saying that the Council plans to start in February 2024 during the WASSCE for Private Candidates, which will be the first series.
WAEC clarified that objective tests will now be entirely computer-based, while the essay and practical papers will adopt a hybrid approach. Candidates can expect examination questions to be presented on screens, with answers recorded on the provided answer booklets. WAEC assured that the computer-based examination will be implemented in urban centres and cities, with consideration for candidates with special needs. Registration for this examination is slated to kick off on Monday, December 18, 2023.
To facilitate a seamless transition, WAEC disclosed plans for a mock examination to be conducted in February 2024, allowing candidates to familiarise themselves with the new computer-based platform. The Council underscored the importance of prospective candidates honing their computer skills, urging them to fully prepare for and embrace this educational innovation.
“As Africa’s foremost examining body, providing qualitative and reliable educational assessment and encouraging academic and moral excellence, it is the vision of the Council that, shortly, all its examinations will be delivered via the computer,” the council stated.
