WAEC Records 56,000 Registrations for 2026 Private WASSCE

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced that approximately 56,000 candidates registered for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for Private Candidates, Second Series.

WAEC’s Head of National Office, Suleiman Kum, disclosed the figure on Saturday during an inspection of the Computer-Based Test (CBT) English Language examination in Lagos.

The inspection took place at the council’s Training and Testing Centre on Ijaiye Road, Ogba, where candidates were taking the examination.

According to Kum, the registered candidates included approximately 272 walk-in candidates who enrolled to improve their results in specific subjects.

Lagos State recorded more than 22,000 candidates, including about 50 walk-in candidates, making it a major examination centre for the exercise.

WAEC Highlights Benefits of Computer-Based Testing

Kum said the introduction of computer-based testing had significantly reduced examination malpractice while improving transparency, security and the credibility of the examination process.

He explained that WAEC introduced CBT in 2024 and had continued to refine the system to strengthen examination administration and protect the integrity of its assessments.

The WAEC official also disclosed that candidates were thoroughly screened before entering examination halls to prevent them from bringing unauthorised materials into the examination centres.

He stressed that the screening process was intended to prevent malpractice rather than deliberately create difficulties for candidates.

Kum reaffirmed the council’s commitment to adopting innovative methods to improve examination delivery and maintain its reputation for credible assessments.

WAEC Advises Candidates on Examination Preparation

The WAEC national office head urged candidates to prepare thoroughly for their examinations by studying diligently, practising past questions and familiarising themselves with marking schemes.

He also recommended reading chief examiners’ reports, which provide insights into candidates’ common mistakes, areas of strength and weaknesses, as well as guidance on answering questions effectively.

The 2026 private candidates’ examination forms part of WAEC’s ongoing transition towards computer-based testing, an initiative aimed at improving examination security, transparency and efficiency.

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