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By Hauwa Mohammed
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has taken a major step toward the conduct of digital examinations as it tested its Computer-Based Testing (CBT) format for essay papers ahead of its introduction in the 2026 school examination.
The pilot exercise held at the WAEC Training and Testing Center at Ogba in Lagos, brought together 25 students from each selected school to sit for the test.
The exercise was designed to assess how well candidates could adapt to writing essay papers using computers instead of the traditional paper-and-pencil method.
Speaking with newsmen during an interview, the Head of the Nigeria National Office of WAEC, Dr. Amos Dangut, described the initiative as a further step in increasing the computerization of WAEC examinations.
“The test we conducted today is to showcase how the essay paper can also be done on the computer. It is a pilot test, not yet a nationwide one. However, the outcome of today’s exercise will guide our next steps. The innovation is expected to cover the whole country, not just Lagos State,” Dangut explained.
He noted that while WAEC had already begun conducting objective tests on computers, the essay component marks a new phase in the council’s digital transformation journey.
Addressing students’ complaints about minor technical hitches during the pilot test, the WAEC boss emphasized that such challenges were expected at this stage.
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“Like I said, it’s a pilot test. The students were given questionnaires to share their experiences, and we have also made our own observations. All these will be used to fine-tune the system before the main examination. What we have so far is largely successful, and those minor issues will be resolved,” he said.
Dangut also advised school proprietors and administrators to begin preparing their students for the coming change, stating, “the future of examinations is here CBT WASSCE.”
On how students and teachers would be trained to adapt, he revealed that WAEC has begun creating awareness materials such as video clips, posters, and handbills. The council also plans to organize hands-on training sessions at various testing centres across the country.
Responding to concerns about technical glitches, examination malpractices, and cybersecurity, the HNO assured parents and candidates of fairness and credibility.
“Our CBT exams have maintained less than one percent malpractice rate, which is internationally commendable. Even during the May/June exams where there was a slight glitch, it did not affect all the centres. This is proof that the CBT system is a superior form of assessment,” he stated.
The HNO added that WAEC’s use of portable tablets with built-in power sources would make it possible to conduct CBT exams in rural areas where electricity supply is limited.
Students who participated in the pilot exercise described the test as innovative and encouraging, though they noted that typing and navigation required some getting used to.
The introduction of the CBT-based WAEC examination is expected to mark a new era in Nigeria’s educational assessment, promoting transparency, efficiency, and credibility.
