Big Change! FG Orders WAEC, NECO to Begin CBT Exams by 2026

The National Examinations Council and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) have been instructed by the Federal Government to switch to fully computer-based testing for all of their exams by 2026.

This was revealed by Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa on Monday as he and JAMB officials were in Bwari to observe the ongoing exams.

More than 2 million candidates have enrolled for the current exam at more than 800 locations nationwide, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.

Alausa disclosed that starting in November, the WAEC and NECO would both begin using CBT to administer their objective papers.

He predicted that by May or June 2026, CBT would be fully implemented for the essay and objective components.

“WAEC and NECO can successfully administer CBT exams to over 2.2 million candidates if JAMB can.”

“We will arrange for WAEC and NECO to begin their CBT objective exam as well.” Both the objectives and the essay will be entirely CBT by the time of the 2026 tests, which are scheduled for May or June. Exam misconduct can be eradicated in this way.

Alausa also said that proposals from a commission examining examination standards across the country are anticipated next month.

Speaking earlier on the early exam date, JAMB Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede explained that the board’s UTME exams had always started at 8:00 a.m.

According to Oloyede, candidates were only supposed to arrive on the ground by 6:30 a.m. to receive accreditation before the tests.

He brushed off complaints about early arrival times, pointing out that screening applicants was required before the start of exams.

Exams have traditionally begun at eight o’clock. Eight o’clock is the time for the first session, 10:30 is the time for the second, 1 p.m. is the time for the third, and 3:30 is the time for the fourth.

Oloyede also refuted reports that applicants were sent to centers they did not want, claiming that no such incidents had been found.
Out of the 2.03 million registered applicants, he verified that over 1.6 million had finished their tests, leaving roughly 50,000 to go.

More than 40 candidates were arrested for wrongdoing, including impersonation and trying to sneak exam questions with hidden cameras, the registrar further disclosed.