The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) is taking steps to introduce the Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode for the administration of its examinations, marking a significant advancement in the evolution of testing methods.
Mr. Patrick Areghan, the Head of National Office (HNO) at WAEC, disclosed this development in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos. Areghan emphasized that implementing CBT for some of WAEC’s examinations had been a part of his vision for the organization.
While speaking about the progress made in introducing CBT, Areghan acknowledged the challenges posed by practical and essay papers, as these types of questions cannot be easily administered through computer-based testing. However, he expressed the commitment of WAEC to gradually integrate CBT into its examination processes, starting initially with objective questions.
Areghan highlighted the importance of considering factors like computer literacy, availability of computer facilities, and access to electricity in schools, as these are crucial for implementing CBT successfully. He also stressed his desire to see WAEC fully digitalize all of its operations in the near future.
In summary, WAEC is actively working on adopting the CBT mode for its examinations, with a phased approach that begins with objective questions and aims to eventually include theory and practical papers, as announced by Mr. Patrick Areghan, the Head of National Office at WAEC.