The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has implemented enhanced measures to combat examination malpractice as 1,959,636 candidates sit for the 2026 Computer-Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
New Question Serialisation Technology
During a press briefing on Monday, May 11, at the council's headquarters in Yaba, Lagos, WAEC's Head of National Office, Amos Dangut, announced the new measures. He stated that the examination body has upgraded its question serialisation technology, ensuring that candidates receive questions in different arrangements during the CBT examination.
"This innovation ensures that no two candidates have the same question sequence," Dangut said, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria. This development is expected to reduce copying and organised cheating during the examination.
Warning Against Malpractice Syndicates
WAEC also cautioned candidates, parents, and schools against dealing with rogue websites and malpractice syndicates that promise leaked answers or assistance during the exams. The council affirmed that anyone caught would face prosecution, along with penalties approved by the Nigeria Examinations Committee.
Growth of CBT Format
The examination body noted that interest in the computer-based format has increased since its initial rollout in 2025. Some schools outside Nigeria that follow the WAEC syllabus have also adopted the CBT option. The exam commenced on April 21 with practical papers and will conclude on June 19.
Out of the total registered candidates, 958,564 are male, while 1,001,072 are female, indicating higher female participation this year. Approximately 29,000 secondary school teachers selected by education ministries across the country are supervising the examination.
Security and Results
WAEC acknowledged security concerns in parts of the country but stated that it is collaborating with the Nigeria Police Force, state governments, and other agencies to ensure smooth conduct of the exams. Results will be released 45 days after the final paper, and certificates will be available within 90 days, including digital copies accessible online.
In a related development, WAEC released the 2026 Computer-Based WASSCE results for private candidates (First Series) via its official online portal. Candidates can check their results within 12 hours of the announcement. The council appreciated stakeholders for ensuring the smooth conduct of the examination.
