The West African Examinations Council, WAEC, has announced its plan to establish a Computer Based Test,—CBT mode in the administration of its examinations.
Patrick Areghan, WAEC’s Head of National Office,—HNO, had hinted at this in an interview he made with NAN on Saturday, September 23.
According to Areghan, introducing the CBT mode of administering some of the council’s examinations had been part of his vision for the exam body.
He had however, said that it was not as easy as some people think as he had to consider conducting a CBT exam for practicals and essay papers?
He had said:
“We can only readily do that in the case of objective exams. But people will not see it from that angle. They often argue that some others [exam bodies] were doing it, so WAEC should do the same?
“There’s also the issue of some school staff not having the knowledge of computers? How many schools have computer facilities, and how many have the electricity to properly operate them?”
Areghan further stated that the council should be able to organise CBT examinations, even if it meant starting with the objective questions first.
He lastly, added that WAEC may have a segregated market, and that those who cannot afford the CBT will go for the pencil and paper option.
