The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has revealed that a record-breaking 1,973,253 candidates will participate in the first-ever Computer-Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination (CB-WASSCE), which is scheduled to begin next week.
Speaking at a press briefing at WAEC’s National Office in Yaba, Lagos, on Thursday, Dr. Amos Dangut, Head of the Nigeria National Office, announced that the 2025 WASSCE for School Candidates will run from Thursday, April 24 to Friday, June 20, 2025, across Nigeria.
Dr. Dangut promised that the results of the 2025 examination would be released 45 days after the last paper, and certificates will be issued within 90 days.
“Digital copies of certificates will be accessible through the WAEC Digital Certificate platform,” he said.
According to the council, the CB WASSCE aimed at improving examination delivery and curbing malpractice.
In terms of enrolment, Dangut stated that there were 158,000 more candidates registered compared to last year, adding that the number of females sitting the exam is more than males.
He said, “The Council has introduced its maiden Computer-Based WASSCE for School Candidates, 2025.
“A total of 1,973,253 candidates from 23,554 schools have registered to take the exam, an increase of over 158,000 from the previous year.
“Of this number, 979,228 are males (49.63 per cent) and 994,025 females (50.37 per cent), showing a continuing rise in female participation,” he said.
He added that the examination will cover 74 subjects with 196 papers, and over 26,000 senior secondary school teachers serving as supervisors nationwide.
“It will interest you to know that from this year, two candidates will not have the same questions on each number. This is part of a paradigm shift in test administration techniques to uphold academic integrity,” he said.
On examination malpractice, Dangut enjoined candidates, supervisors, and schools to adhere strictly to examination rules.
“The Council decisively deals with examination malpractice. Candidates’ paper variations for the CB-WASSCE 2025 have been preprinted. Any candidate who chooses to write a paper other than the one assigned will bear the consequences,” he said.
He appealed to parents, teachers, and school officials to discourage malpractice while urging media organisations to support WAEC’s awareness campaigns.
“School principals and teachers should sensitise their students to the dangers of this terrible crime against humanity. A word is enough for the wise,” he said.
Dangut added that to aid candidates in preparation, WAEC had unveiled several digital platforms.
He said, “WAEC E-Study Portal provides access to past questions, marking schemes, and learning plans; WAEC E-Learning Portal offers performance analysis and solutions to common challenges faced by students; and WAEC Konnect facilitates communication and updates for candidates and stakeholders.
“In addition, WAEC has compiled Past Question Papers and Chief Examiners’ Reports for various subject areas to help candidates understand expectations and improve performance.”
Dangut also issued a stern warning to operators of rogue websites, describing them as a threat to the future of Nigerian students.
“Parents are hereby cautioned to desist from patronising these evildoers who are hell-bent on frustrating the efforts of WAEC,” Dr Dangut warned. “We shall, as usual, work hand-in-hand with the Nigerian Police Force to bring perpetrators to book.”
Dangut acknowledged the persistent security concerns in some regions, which hitherto affected the conduct of examinations in some parts of the country.
“Conducting examinations in such situations has been challenging, though surmounted. “The Council has continued to partner with the Nigeria Police Force and State Governments to ensure the smooth and hitch-free conduct of the examination,” he said.
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