By Sabiu Abdullahi
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) in Nigeria has rolled out the results of its pioneering Computer-Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination for Private Candidates, 2024—First Series.
This signifies a notable departure from conventional paper-based assessments towards a digitally-driven format.
As per a statement from the council, the groundbreaking CB-WASSCE utilised a blended approach, projecting questions onto computers while candidates submitted real-time answers for multiple-choice questions and provided responses in booklets for essays and practical components.
The examination spanned from January 31 to February 17, 2024. An analysis of the results revealed that out of the 8,139 candidates who participated, 3,424 individuals, constituting 42.07%, attained credit or above in a minimum of five subjects, irrespective of English language and mathematics inclusion.
The statement read, “2,519 candidates representing 30.95 per cent obtained credit and above in a minimum of five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.
“The coordination of examiners and marking of candidates’ scripts were carried out at three marking venues in Lagos, Enugu and Kaduna from March 1 to 16, 2024. A total of 459 Examiners participated in the Coordination and Marking Exercise.
“The entry figure of 8,362 candidates showed a 4.30 per cent decrease in candidature when compared with the 2023 entry figure of 8,738. 8,139 candidates sat the examination at 140 CBT centres spread across the country.
“Amongst the candidates that sat the examination, 21 candidates, with varying degrees of Special Needs, were registered for the examination. Out of this number, nine were visually challenged, two had impaired hearing and two were Albinos.
“All these candidates with special needs were adequately catered for in the administration of the examination.”