News

WAEC Touts CBT as Key Weapon Against Exam Malpractice

August 11, 2026 By BeatzHive Editorial 2 min read

WAEC Backs Computer-Based Testing as Its Strongest Tool Against Exam Malpractice

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has identified Computer-Based Testing (CBT) as one of its most effective weapons in the fight against examination malpractice. According to reports, the council is leaning heavily on technology to make cheating far more difficult, signalling a significant shift for candidates used to the traditional paper-and-pencil format.

Randomised Questions, Serialisation and a New Malpractice Portal

At the heart of the council’s strategy is question randomisation. Under the CBT system, candidates can receive the same examination with questions arranged in different sequences, meaning two students seated next to each other may not be looking at matching question numbers. That simple change makes the age-old habit of glancing at a neighbour’s paper — or whispering answers across the hall — considerably harder to pull off.

CBT is not the only measure in play. WAEC has reportedly rolled out other technology-driven safeguards, including question serialisation and digital monitoring, all aimed at tightening security around its examinations.

The council has also refined how it handles accusations of wrongdoing. A dedicated malpractice portal now allows candidates accused of cheating to respond to the allegations and present their own side of the story before any final decision is taken — a step towards a fairer, more transparent process.

Alongside these tools, WAEC has continued to caution candidates, schools and examination officials against any involvement in malpractice, reinforcing that the crackdown applies to everyone in the system, not just students.

Why the End of “Expo” Culture Matters for Nigerian Students

Examination malpractice — popularly known as “expo” among Nigerian students — has long been a thorny issue in the country’s education conversation, with leaked questions and copied answers undermining confidence in results. WAEC’s certificates are a gateway to university admission and employment across West Africa, so the integrity of its examinations carries real weight for millions of candidates.

The move towards CBT mirrors a broader digital shift in how major assessments are conducted, and the message to students is straightforward: genuine preparation is the only reliable path. As the council pushes deeper into the digital era, the shortcuts that once worked are quickly running out of road.

Stay with BeatzHive News for more entertainment and music news.