In no distant time, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) will fully embrace Computer-Based Testing (CBT). When that time comes, examination malpractice—especially within school premises—will become a thing of the past.
It is no longer a matter of if, but when. WAEC CBT is not a futuristic concept; it is a reality knocking on our doors. Just take a look at this year’s WAEC exams—the simple introduction of sets in English Language, Mathematics, Economics, and Biology already led to mass failure. That is not failure alone—it’s a wake-up call.
Look Closely: The Evidence Is Here
In 2025, over 1.9 million candidates sat for the JAMB Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), a fully computer-based test. The exact figure—1,955,069—reflects a system that has successfully adjusted to modern technology.
Compare that to WAEC’s figures in the same year: 1,969,313 candidates took the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), held between April and June. That’s just a few thousand more than JAMB.
So, if JAMB—with nearly the same candidate population—can conduct CBT nationwide, why not WAEC?
No More School-Based Exams
One of the most radical but necessary changes that WAEC CBT will bring is the end of school-based exam centers. No longer will exams be held inside classrooms, often supervised by teachers who also serve as invigilators—sometimes compromising the process.
Instead, examinations will be conducted at designated and accredited CBT centers—neutral, monitored environments beyond the reach of common malpractice tactics.
This shift will finally give students a level playing field, where success depends on what you know—not who you know, or what you smuggled into the exam hall.
Parents and Schools Must Wake Up
This is a clarion call to parents, teachers, and school administrators: Start preparing your students now. The days of overdependence on “expo” and leaked answers are numbered.
The future belongs to students who are both digitally literate and academically sound. If your child can operate a smartphone but cannot confidently navigate a computer, that is a serious red flag.
Enroll them in basic computer training today. Schools must also begin holding regular CBT mock exams to ensure students become familiar with the digital format.
A New Dawn for Academic Integrity
The move to CBT is more than a technological upgrade—it is a moral and institutional reform.
It restores confidence in the credibility of certificates, helps uncover genuine academic talent, and builds a generation of learners who succeed through merit, not manipulation.
Let us stop doubting. WAEC CBT is already here in principle; very soon, it will be here in full force.
Final Word
The earlier we embrace this reality, the better. Education is evolving, and we must evolve with it.
Let us prepare our students not just to pass exams—but to do so with dignity, digital skills, and confidence.
– Comrade Jélìl Adabara El-Okene
Educational Advocate | Youth Development Crusader | Public Affairs
