The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) will commence a new method of writing its examination which will be a systematic computer based test.

The implementation of the computer based test (CBT) will give candidates writing the private examination in October/November the opportunity to choose from either writing with the traditional pen and paper or with the new improved CBT.

The head of WAEC National office in Nigeria, Dr. Amos Dangut made this known on Wednesday in Ibadan while monitoring the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE).

This development, according to Dangut is to help reduce the rate of malpractice as evidenced during the test run of the CBT in January and February.

“The examination, held in January and February, yielded better performance compared to the previous year, with a significant decrease in malpractices from five per cent to 0.8 per cent.
“We are now gearing up for the upcoming private candidates’ examination in October and November, offering candidates the choice between the traditional pen and paper and the computer-based method,” Dangut said.

The National head also noticed that Nigeria, as part of the global community must align with the new trends in technology development.

“In any case, the world is already moving technologically. We also, as part of the global community, must ensure that we move along.

“And we can only do that by equipping our schools, getting the candidates prepared to face what lies ahead of them,” Dangut said.

While commenting on the ongoing WAEC so far in Ibadan, Dr. Dangut was impressed with the conduct of both the students and the examiners.

“It is my goal to maintain high standards across all schools to ensure fair comparisons of performance,” he said.