The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) is considering a major shift from paper-based to computer-based testing (CBT) as part of new measures to curb widespread cheating in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
WAEC’s Head of Public Affairs, John Kapi, confirmed that the Council has already initiated technical discussions and intends to pilot the approach using smaller examinations before a nationwide rollout.
“Gradually, we are also thinking about computer-based testing, which is something that we have thought about. We have had a technical committee meeting. We want to pilot that with one of our small examinations, the general and advanced business certificate examination”
John Kapi, Head of Public Affairs at WAEC
He stressed that the pilot would be restricted to regional capitals where internet connectivity can be guaranteed.
“This is an examination that does not have a large candidature, so we can manage them at the regional capital, where we are sure of internet connectivity, and once we are able to do that, we believe we can begin the process, so that if that works, we can replicate”
John Kapi, Head of Public Affairs at WAEC
The move towards digital testing is part of a broader reform agenda aimed at shifting national examinations from rote memorisation to more application-based assessments. WAEC believes that by embracing technology, the credibility of its examinations can be significantly strengthened while reducing the opportunities for malpractice.
Mr Kapi said: “We’re exploring computer-based testing, starting with smaller exams, before scaling up nationwide.” He noted that the Council is keen on modernising its systems in line with international best practices.
Cheating Crisis and Rising Arrests
The announcement comes amid mounting concerns over examination malpractice across the country. WAEC has confirmed that at least 18 people, including students, teachers, and invigilators, impersonators, supervisors, have been arrested in connection with irregularities during the ongoing WASSCE.
Mr. Kapi disclosed that some supervisors were found taking photographs of exam questions and sending them outside for answers, a development he described as a serious breach of trust that undermines the integrity of the examination system.
According to him, invigilators and supervisors, who are expected to safeguard the process, have instead become weak links in the fight against malpractice. “They are the ones making the job difficult – they have disappointed us,” he lamented.
The Council is optimistic that CBT will help curb such breaches by reducing reliance on paper scripts and limiting opportunities for collusion. By centralising the process and introducing real-time monitoring, WAEC expects to close loopholes that allow for question leaks and impersonation.
The pilot of CBT through the General and Advanced Business Certificate Examinations will serve as a testing ground for the infrastructure, logistics, and technical challenges likely to arise in implementing nationwide digital examinations.
Officials say the choice of a smaller exam is deliberate to ensure the system is adequately tested before being applied to larger and more critical assessments such as WASSCE and BECE.
Upholding Integrity
The integrity of WAEC’s examinations remains a matter of public concern, with stakeholders repeatedly calling for reforms to protect the credibility of results. The Council has acknowledged the urgent need to modernise its operations while dealing decisively with the human factors enabling cheating.
WAEC insists that while the introduction of computer-based testing will take time to perfect, it represents the future of national examinations in West Africa. The Council says it will continue to collaborate with law enforcement to prosecute offenders while working to restore public confidence in its systems.
As the arrests of supervisors, teachers, and students mount, the Council maintains that it cannot fight the battle alone and has urged parents, schools, and communities to take a stronger stance against malpractice.
With preparations for the pilot project underway, WAEC says it is determined to lead the transition towards a digital examination culture that not only reduces cheating but also prepares Ghanaian students for a technology-driven future.
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