The old paper-pencil approach will be phased out, according to confirmation from the National Examinations Council (NECO).
A fully computer-based method will now be used for all exams, starting with the November/December 2025 SSCE External.
In July, the Federal Government announced that by 2026, all CBT centers, including those run by private companies, would be used to administer the school-based SSCE. By 2026, the FG will move all Waec Neco Exams to the CBT.
“The National Examinations Council (NECO) has concluded arrangements to migrate from paper pencil to computer-based examination, starting from the 2025 November/December Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) External,” the Council said in a statement released on Wednesday.
Subject to stringent technical, infrastructure, and security standards, NECO has invited “interested Computer-Based Center Operators” nationwide to register for registration in order to guarantee a seamless implementation.
The examination body announced the publication of its comprehensive recommendations on security measures, system standards, and hall requirements.
Strong servers, cubicles of a certain size, air-conditioned halls, CCTV security with IP cameras, dependable internet signals from MTN or Airtel, and “a minimum of 150 functional computer systems/laptops with 10% backups” are among the requirements that require each center to meet.
“Make-shift CBT centers are not allowed; all centers must therefore be dedicated CBT centers that are used and maintained as such all year round,” the council emphasized.
NECO required CBT employees to have high moral standards in terms of security and integrity: “The CBE center personnel (including technical staff) should be dependable and trustworthy.”
“They must be honest men who can guarantee the validity of the examination procedure.”
“Adequate backup power supply (minimum 40kva generator, UPS/inverters with at least three hours capacity), internal toilets, holding rooms for candidates, and fenced premises with adequate security,” the Council emphasized, are essential facilities.
The following is a list of needs for the hall, system, staff, and facilities:
APPLICATION FROM COMPUTER-BASED EXAMINATION (CBE) CENTRE OPERATORS.
Beginning with the 2025 November/December Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) External, the National Examinations Council (NECO) has finalized plans to switch from paper-pencil to computer-based exams.
Operators of interested computer-based centers are encouraged to apply for Council registration based on the following requirements.
COMPUTER-BASED EXAMINATION (CBE) CENTRE REQUIREMENTS AND GUIDELINES
A. System Requirements
1. Minimum of 150 functional Computer Systems/Laptops with 10% (ie, 15 ) backups with the following minimum specifications:
Intel Based processor. Dual core Celeron/Pentium, Ram: 4GB Ram, HD: SSD Preferred, 32GB minimum, Windows 10, 10/100MB RJ45 Network Port, Browser (Latest versions of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Microsoft Edge).
2. Minimum 15 inches flat screen Computer monitor for desktop or 17 inches for laptop.
3. The computer systems must be connected to a robust computer server with capacity to carry a minimum of 150 systems concurrently.
4. Provision of up-to-date Antivirus and all the systems must be virus free.
5. All the computer systems must be linked together in a star topology on Cable Local Area Network topology (LAN). (Wireless Computer connection is not allowed).
6. Switches must be on uninterrupted power source throughout the examination.
7. Gigabit switches are the recommended switches and each center must have 2 backup switches.
B. Hall Requirements
8. Provision of individual cubicle with minimum length of 26 inches, breadth of 18 inches and height of 18 inches and appropriate seat for each system.
9. Availability of adequate and functional air-conditioners and lighting.
10. Availability of prescribed CCTV network with IP Cameras for monitoring.
11. The CCTV must be cabled; no wireless CCTV will be allowed.
12. Exposed or flying cables are not allowed in the examination hall; all cables must therefore be trunked.
13. Network coverage: There must be strong MTN or AIRTEL signal at the location of the centre.
14. There must be enough Wall Clocks that will be visible to all candidates in the hall as candidates would no longer be allowed to bring in Wrist Watches to the examination hall. 15. Make-shift CBT centres are not allowed, all centres must therefore be dedicated CBT centres that are used and maintained as such all year round.
16. The centre must not be in shared premises such as cinema hall, shopping mall, market, etc.
C. Facilities and Personnel Requirements
17. Availability of back-up power supply (power generating set of minimum 40kva for a centre with 250 systems and UPS/inverters that can carry all systems for a minimum of three (3) hours.
18. Adequate CBE personnel, two technical personnel (2) and one (1) network engineer. 19. The CBE centre personnel (including technical staff) should be dependable and trustworthy. They are to be men of high integrity that can ensure the credibility of the examination process.
20. Provision must be made for adequate holding room or reception facility eg canopy with chairs, etc.
21. There must be internal toilets (inside the CBT hall).
22. Adequate security personnel of the CBE Facilities.
23. The centre must be adequately fenced.
