WAEC Commends Anti-Cheating Steps as Pass Rate Falls
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) announced the results for the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination on Monday, citing a notable decline in performance due to newly introduced anti-malpractice measures.
During a press conference in Lagos, Dr. Amos Dangut, the Head of WAEC National Office, stated that 38.32 percent of the 1,969,313 candidates who participated in the examination achieved credits in five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.
This represents a drastic decline of 33.8 percent compared to the 72.12 percent achieved in the 2024 WASSCE.
Dangut explained that the decrease in performance was a result of newly implemented stricter examination protocols aimed at reducing malpractice.
“The decrease in performance can be linked to new anti-malpractice strategies, such as serializing objective papers in important subjects, which made it harder for candidates to collude and cheat,” he remarked.
He further noted that 1,517,517 results, or 77.06 percent, had been fully processed and released, while 451,796 results, making up 22.94 percent, are still under processing due to technical or administrative complications.
He also mentioned that female candidates slightly outperformed male candidates in the crucial benchmark category, with 407,353 females (53.99 percent) passing five subjects, including English and Mathematics, compared to 347,192 males (46.01 percent). WAEC also revealed that 1,718,090 candidates, accounting for 87.24 percent, secured credits in at least five subjects, regardless of whether they included English and Mathematics.
Moreover, the results of 192,089 candidates, representing 9.75 percent, are being withheld due to alleged involvement in various types of examination malpractice, showing a decrease from the 11.92 percent noted in 2024.
A total of 12,178 candidates with special needs participated in the examination.
This group included students who are visually impaired, hearing impaired, physically challenged, and mentally challenged, and their results were processed alongside others.
During the briefing, WAEC reiterated its plans to complete the transition to Computer-Based Testing for the WASSCE by 2026, as directed by the Federal Government.
Dangut explained that the Council is finalizing arrangements for conducting the entire Computer-Based WASSCE for School Candidates by 2026.
He noted that in 2025, candidates were given the choice to take the examination using either the traditional pen-and-paper method or in a hybrid CBT model, where questions were displayed on screens, and answers were written in booklets.
By 2026, he added, all school candidates are anticipated to complete the examination utilizing the fully computer-based format.
He also cautioned that candidates sponsored by state governments that owe the Council would not be able to access their results until the debts are resolved.
“We urge the relevant state governments to settle their debts so that affected candidates can access their results,” he stated.
As part of its push for digital innovation, WAEC has launched various new platforms and tools to assist candidates and institutions.
These offerings include the WAEC E-Study platform for digital access to past questions, the WAECKonnect app featuring revision tools, updates, and an AI assistant, real-time digital scoring during marking coordination, and digital certificates available within 48 hours of results being released.
Dangut affirmed that the Council is dedicated to enhancing access, security, and transparency within its examination processes.
“Our objective is to make examinations more accessible, credible, and transparent. We invite all stakeholders—schools, candidates, parents, and the media—to join us in preparing for this digital future,” he stated.
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