NECO Cuts English Exam Questions from 100 to 80

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has revealed a decrease in the number of objective questions for the English Language Paper III in the upcoming Senior Secondary Certificate Examination Internal. Starting with the 2026 SSCE internal exams, the total question count will drop from 100 to 80.

In an official announcement released to The PUNCH on Wednesday and signed by Osun State’s State Coordinator, Sunday K. Bolaji, dated September 1, 2025, it was noted that the new structure for the paper consists of six sections.

Antonyms (10 questions), Appropriateness of Registers (10 questions), Appropriate Interpretation of Idioms, Phrasal Verbs, and Foreign Words (10 questions), Synonyms (10 questions), Grammatical Structures (30 questions), and Cloze Text (10 questions) are included.

The duration allocated for Paper III will also be modified to 50 minutes. This revision aims to optimize the examination process and improve the assessment experience for students.

Previously reported by PUNCH Online on August 29, NECO confirmed its transition from the traditional paper-and-pencil examination method to a computer-based testing format, beginning with the November/December 2025 SSCE external exams.

This transition is in accordance with the Federal Government’s directive from July 2025 to establish both private and public CBT centers across the nation for school-based SSCEs by 2026.

NECO has called upon interested operators of CBT centers throughout Nigeria to apply for accreditation, adhering to strict technical, infrastructural, and security standards to guarantee examination integrity and seamless implementation.

This initiative seeks to modernize Nigeria’s examination system, minimize malpractice, and enhance operational efficiency while increasing access to digital education nationwide.