WAEC CBT: writing the WASSCE on computer
Skolra is not part of WAEC. Confirm on WAEC's official site: waecnigeria.org.
In short
- Is WAEC CBT in 2027? WAEC said in November 2025 that it will start the computer-based WASSCE for school candidates in 2027, after a trial in 2026. It has not said which schools will write on computer, or whether essays will be typed (checked 23 October 2026).
- WAEC calls its computer-based exam CB-WASSCE. It started with private candidates in 2024 and has been spreading to school candidates since.
- So far it is mostly a mix: you answer the objective questions on a computer, and you write essay and practical answers in a booklet.
- In 2026, only schools with enough computers wrote this way. Other schools still wrote on paper.
- WAEC has not announced a date when every school must write on computer.
On this page
How the move to CBT has gone
| 2024 | The first CB-WASSCE, for private candidates (first series). All questions were shown on the computer. Objective answers were given on the computer. Essay and practical answers were written in booklets. |
|---|---|
| 2025 | In April 2025 the Minister of Education said WAEC and NECO would move to CBT. WAEC ran more CBT exams for private candidates and began with a small number of schools. |
| 2026 | The WASSCE for School Candidates was run in CBT mode only in schools with enough computers and ICT. WAEC's head in Nigeria put it at about 450 schools. The rest wrote on paper. The Federal Government called it a phased move. |
| 2027 and after | In November 2025 WAEC said the computer-based WASSCE for school candidates would start in 2027, after the 2026 trial. Which schools will write on computer, and how essays will be written, have not been announced. |
What changes for you
- Objective papers are on screen. You read the question and choose your answer on the computer, instead of shading a sheet.
- Essay papers are still mostly on paper. In 2026 most candidates still wrote their essay answers in booklets. WAEC has tested typing essays on computer, but only in a few places.
- Practicals stay practical. You still do your science and other practicals by hand.
- You may sit at a CBT centre. If your school does not have the computers, you may write at another centre. Your school will tell you where.
- Your questions may be in a different order from the person next to you. WAEC said it does this to stop copying.
How to know if you will write on computer
Ask your school's exam officer. WAEC decides school by school, based on whether the school is ready. Do not rely on rumours. In 2025, WAEC said it never claimed every school would write on computer in 2026.
Private candidates have written on computer since 2024. See WAEC GCE dates and registration.
How to practise for WAEC CBT
- Get used to answering on a screen. Reading a question on a screen and clicking an answer feels different from paper. Practise answering on a screen until it feels normal.
- Practise with a timer. Sit full objective papers in the real time, so you learn your pace.
- Use past questions. WAEC's own e-learning portal, past papers and Chief Examiners' reports show the kind of questions set and the mistakes candidates make. The Skolra app has WAEC past questions and NECO past questions with answers and explanations on a CBT screen.
- Keep writing by hand. Your essay papers are still likely to be on paper. Practise writing full answers in time.
- Learn basic computer use. If you rarely use a computer, practise with a mouse and keyboard before the exam.
Tips for answering on a screen
- Read the whole question. On a screen it is easy to skim. Read to the end before you look at the options.
- Work it out first. For maths and science, do your working on rough paper if you are given some, then choose your answer.
- Check your answer before you move on. Make sure the option you meant is the one selected.
- Do not leave questions blank. If you skip one, go back to it before you finish.
- Do not submit early by mistake. Only end the paper when you have checked your work.
On the exam day
- Arrive early. Checks at a CBT centre can take time.
- If the computer freezes or goes off, raise your hand and tell the supervisor. Do not try to fix it yourself.
- Do not take a phone or any other device into the hall. WAEC's normal rules still apply.
Common problems
- You have never used a computer much. Start practising weeks before, not the night before.
- You run out of time on the objective paper. Do not stay long on one question. Answer the ones you know, then come back.
- You hear the exam is "fully CBT" this year. Ask your school. In 2026 most essays were still on paper.
- Someone sells "CBT answers" or questions before the exam. It is a scam, and WAEC has warned that offenders will be prosecuted.
Related guides
- WAEC and NECO CBT practiceTimed WAEC and NECO past questions with answers, in the app.
- WAEC GCE 2027The two series, registration, the computer exam and results.
- NECO GCE 2026The exam dates, the 16 subjects, the fee and how to register.
- WAEC timetable 2027The proposed 2027 dates, the 2026 dates, and how to read the timetable.
- NECO timetable 2027The proposed 2027 dates, the 2026 dates, and how to read the timetable.
- WAEC past questions and answersOver 13,000 WAEC (WASSCE) questions in 23 subjects, 1988–2024.
- How the JAMB CBT exam worksThe format, the screen and keys, exam-day rules and what is new for 2027.
- JAMB past questions and answersOver 9,000 questions in 25 UTME subjects, each with an explanation.