WAEC Announces Full Transition to Computer-Based WASSCE in 2026

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WAEC Announces Full Transition to Computer-Based WASSCE in 2026

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has confirmed that the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) will be conducted entirely through computer-based testing, marking the end of paper-based examinations.

This was disclosed during a meeting between WAEC officials and school representatives held on August 30, 2025. According to the resolution, all candidates will be registered through their schools but assigned to designated WAEC examination centers.

WAEC has called on schools interested in serving as CBT centers to apply immediately, with special priority given to schools in the Lekki, Ajah, and Epe areas. To qualify, schools must have a minimum of 50 functional computers and adequate space to accommodate candidates from other schools.

The new structure outlines that objective tests will be fully computer-based, with students writing three papers in a single day. Essay and theory examinations will take place in school halls, where questions will be projected for candidates, who will be provided with answer booklets only. For practicals, examinations will be center-based and supervised by IT-compliant teachers, who may or may not belong to the host center. Schools whose students are assigned to a center will also provide the necessary practical materials.

WAEC clarified that schools are not required to purchase new computers for the transition, as examinations will proceed for all candidates regardless of institutional readiness. Schools approved as examination centers will receive payment from WAEC, even if their own students benefit from the arrangement.

meeting summary 

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Highlights from the Meeting Between School Representatives and WAEC (30th August 2025)

1. The 2026 WASSCE will be conducted entirely on computers, with no paper-based option.

2. Students will be registered through their schools, but WAEC will assign them to specific exam centers.

3. Schools interested in becoming WAEC/CBT centers are encouraged to apply promptly.

4. Priority will be given to schools in the Lekki, Ajah, and Epe areas before considering other locations.

5. Objective tests will be fully computer-based, with candidates writing three papers in a single day.

6. Essay/Theory papers will be projected in school halls, and students will only receive answer booklets—no printed question papers will be distributed.

7. Practical exams will be center-based, supervised by IT-proficient teachers, who may or may not be from the host center.

8. Schools whose students are assigned to a particular center will be responsible for supplying the necessary practical materials.

9. Schools are not required to buy computers for the exams, as all candidates will sit for them regardless of school readiness.

10. WAEC will pay schools approved as examination centers, even if their own students are among the candidates.

11. To qualify as a CBT center, a school must have at least 50 functional computers and be able to host candidates from other schools.

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