The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has recorded approximately 56,000 registrations for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for Private Candidates, Second Series, as the examination body continues efforts to improve examination security through computer-based testing.
The Head of WAEC’s National Office, Mr Suleiman Kum, disclosed the registration figures during an inspection of the Computer-Based Test (CBT) English Language examination in Lagos on Saturday.
According to him, Lagos State accounted for more than 22,000 of the registered candidates, demonstrating the significant number of people participating in the private examination in the state.
The exercise also attracted candidates who registered to sit for specific subjects rather than the entire examination.
Kum explained that approximately 272 walk-in candidates were included in the overall registration figure, while about 50 of them were recorded in Lagos State.
The inspection was conducted at the WAEC Training and Testing Centre on Ijaiye Road, Ogba, where candidates took the English Language examination using computers.
The development highlights WAEC’s continued efforts to modernise its examination procedures while maintaining the standards required to ensure that candidates are assessed fairly.
WAEC highlights importance of computer-based testing
Kum said the introduction of computer-based examinations had helped the council address examination malpractice and improve the credibility of its assessment process.
He explained that WAEC began introducing CBT in 2024 and had continued to develop the system as part of its efforts to strengthen examination security and improve the administration of tests.
According to the WAEC official, the adoption of computer-based testing has significantly reduced opportunities for malpractice, making it a useful approach to safeguarding the integrity of public examinations.
He maintained that the technology provides an opportunity for the council to improve the way examinations are conducted while reinforcing public confidence in the results issued to candidates.
“We have discovered that computer-based tests, popularly known as CBT, are truly the best way to conduct examinations because malpractice is drastically reduced,” Kum said.
Examination malpractice has remained a concern for education stakeholders because it can undermine the credibility of results and create unfair advantages for candidates who do not follow established examination rules.
WAEC’s move towards computer-based testing is intended to strengthen the examination process and make it more difficult for candidates to engage in prohibited activities.
However, the council’s approach also involves enforcing existing regulations and ensuring that candidates understand the conditions under which they are expected to write their examinations.
Candidates subjected to screening before examinations
Beyond the use of technology, WAEC has maintained screening procedures at examination centres to prevent candidates from bringing unauthorised materials into examination halls.
Kum said candidates were thoroughly searched before being allowed into the examination rooms, explaining that the procedure was necessary to protect the credibility of the exercise.
He clarified that the screening was not intended to create difficulties for candidates but to prevent violations of examination regulations.
“We do not set traps for candidates; we want to prevent malpractice by ensuring they enter the examination hall without unauthorised materials,” he said.
The explanation reflects the council’s position that preventing examination malpractice requires a combination of technological improvements, proper supervision and compliance with established rules.
Candidates are therefore expected to cooperate with examination officials and ensure that they do not bring prohibited materials into examination halls.
The council’s continued enforcement of these procedures is also aimed at ensuring that candidates complete their examinations under conditions that promote fairness and accountability.
Kum reiterated that WAEC would continue to introduce improvements to its operations, with particular attention to examination security and innovation.
“WAEC will continue to improve to ensure that it remains the benchmark for examination integrity and innovation in Nigeria,” he said.
WAEC advises candidates to study past questions
While discussing examination preparation, Kum urged candidates to devote sufficient time to their studies and make effective use of available learning materials.
He specifically recommended practising previous WAEC examination questions, studying marking schemes and reading chief examiners’ reports to improve their understanding of the subjects they intend to write.
According to him, these resources provide useful information about the areas in which candidates frequently encounter difficulties and the standards expected in their answers.
Chief examiners’ reports, in particular, can help candidates understand common mistakes made during previous examinations and identify areas that require additional attention.
By reviewing these reports, candidates may gain a clearer understanding of how to structure their responses, interpret questions correctly and provide relevant answers.
The advice also underscores the importance of preparing systematically instead of depending entirely on last-minute revision.
Candidates sitting for the private examination often have different educational backgrounds and preparation schedules.
However, familiarising themselves with the examination format and practising relevant questions can help them identify weaknesses before the actual test.
WAEC’s recommendation encourages candidates to approach their studies with greater discipline and take advantage of resources that explain the requirements of individual subjects.
Private WASSCE provides another opportunity for candidates
The WASSCE for Private Candidates serves people seeking to obtain the West African Senior School Certificate outside the regular school-based examination arrangement.
It also provides an opportunity for individuals who wish to improve previous results by registering for particular subjects.
The inclusion of walk-in candidates in the 2026 registration figures illustrates how the examination accommodates some candidates who need to address specific subject requirements.
For such candidates, careful preparation is important because their performance in the relevant subjects may affect their educational or professional plans.
The examination is also significant for candidates pursuing further education, as the WASSCE certificate and subject results may form part of the entry requirements for various academic programmes, depending on the institution and course involved.
Prospective candidates must therefore pay attention to registration requirements, examination schedules and the instructions issued by WAEC.
WAEC continues efforts to improve examination administration
The inspection in Lagos forms part of the ongoing implementation of computer-based testing in WAEC examinations.
The council’s adoption of CBT represents a change in examination delivery, with candidates required to answer questions using a computer rather than relying exclusively on traditional paper-based methods.
The transition places additional importance on candidates becoming familiar with the computer-based examination environment and following the instructions provided at their centres.
For examination officials, the process requires adequate supervision and the enforcement of procedures designed to maintain order and protect the integrity of the assessment.
WAEC has indicated that it will continue to pursue innovations aimed at improving examination administration while preserving the credibility of its certificates.
With approximately 56,000 candidates registered for the 2026 WASSCE for Private Candidates, Second Series, the latest exercise highlights the continued demand for the examination and the council’s efforts to adapt its processes to changing educational needs.
The figures were disclosed during the inspection of the CBT English Language examination in Lagos, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
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