The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has unveiled a series of major innovations ahead of the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), including the launch of a new portal that gives candidates access to past questions and a complete shift towards a computer-based examination format.
Speaking during a press briefing, the Head of the Nigeria National Office of WAEC, Dr. Amos Dangut, described the new measures as part of WAEC’s commitment to improving the learning and testing experience of secondary school students across the region.
One of the standout features announced is the online access to past WASSCE questions, which WAEC believes will greatly aid candidates in preparing for the examination by familiarizing them with previous formats and question types.
“By practicing with these past questions, students can identify their strengths and weaknesses, which will help them prepare more effectively,” Dr. Dangut explained.
WAEC also introduced two new digital platforms—the E-Learning Portal and the E-Study Portal—to enhance student preparation. These platforms are expected to serve as comprehensive digital learning environments, with the E-Learning Portal offering video tutorials, interactive lessons, and materials based on the official WASSCE curriculum.
According to Dr. Dangut, the goal of the E-Learning Portal is to “create an engaging and self-paced learning space that supports academic excellence.”
The E-Study Portal, on the other hand, will act as a central hub for study guides, revision materials, and discussion forums, allowing students to collaborate and share knowledge with peers and educators.
“This will enable a more enriched and interactive learning experience,” he added.
In a move to enhance exam integrity and personalize the assessment process, each candidate sitting for the 2025 WASSCE will receive a unique set of questions. This development marks a significant shift from the traditional model where all students answered the same set of questions.
The 2025 exams will also fully adopt computer-based testing (CBT), which WAEC believes will speed up marking and reduce opportunities for cheating.
By embracing digital technology, WAEC is aiming not just for greater efficiency, but also for higher standards in student assessment and examination credibility.
As part of efforts to improve security and credibility in the examination process, WAEC has announced that the National Identification Number (NIN) is now a mandatory requirement for registration. This step is intended to eliminate identity fraud and streamline candidate verification.
Dr. Dangut said the move is in line with national policy and will support efforts to ensure only eligible students are allowed to sit for the exam.
WAEC also disclosed that the number of female candidates registering for WASSCE has steadily increased, which it sees as a positive step towards gender equality in education.
Additionally, about 26,000 practicing senior secondary school teachers have been enlisted to serve as supervisors during the exams, a move designed to ensure professional and fair conduct of the tests.
“These teachers are familiar with the classroom and the curriculum. Their involvement will make the supervision process more effective,” Dr. Dangut noted.
In another major change, WAEC has extended the 2025 examination period to eight weeks to accommodate the new digital processes and allow for more flexible scheduling.
The council also announced stronger partnerships with the Nigeria Police Force and state governments to improve security during the examination period. Measures will include surveillance and quick response teams to address any security threats.
“There will also be awareness campaigns to educate candidates on the dangers of examination malpractice,” Dangut added.
WAEC confirmed that the upcoming WASSCE will cover 74 different subjects, ensuring that students are evaluated across a broad range of disciplines including sciences, arts, commerce, and vocational studies.
This comprehensive coverage aims to assess not only academic excellence but also technical skills and career readiness among Nigerian youths.
Dr. Dangut emphasized that all these changes are designed to reinforce the integrity of the examination process while giving students better tools to succeed.
He noted that WAEC’s modernization drive is not just about adapting to new technologies, but also about aligning with global standards in assessment and learning.
“We are confident that these innovations will produce better-prepared candidates and a more transparent and credible examination system,” he said.
WAEC is a leading examination body in West Africa responsible for conducting standardized school-leaving exams in Nigeria and other English-speaking West African countries. Its most popular examination, the WASSCE, is a major requirement for admission into universities and higher institutions.
Each year, millions of candidates register for the exam, making WAEC one of the largest testing organizations in Africa.
With these latest changes, the 2025 WASSCE is shaping up to be one of the most advanced and student-centered examinations ever conducted in the region.
WAEC’s new approach, particularly its digital transformation and student-focused learning tools, is being welcomed by education stakeholders, school administrators, and students alike. Many see it as a necessary step towards a more modern and fair examination system in Nigeria and the region at large.
The success of these innovations, however, will depend on consistent implementation, training of teachers and students, and provision of infrastructure like electricity and internet access, especially in rural areas.
