WAEC Adjusts Exam Timings to Curb Examination Leakages Across West Africa

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has reportedly introduced adjustments to examination timing as part of strengthened measures aimed at curbing examination leakages and improving the integrity of its assessments across member countries.

According to education authorities and recent policy updates, the adjustment is part of a broader strategy to reduce opportunities for question paper exposure before examinations are conducted in all participating nations.

WAEC, which administers standardized examinations across West Africa, is believed to be aligning exam schedules more closely and modifying start times in certain member countries to prevent coordinated malpractice and cross-border leakage of examination materials.

The development comes amid growing concerns over the circulation of leaked examination questions through digital platforms and organized malpractice networks, which have posed challenges to examination bodies in the region.

In addition to timing adjustments, WAEC is also said to be strengthening its security framework by enhancing question paper encryption, introducing stricter supervision protocols at examination centres, and increasing collaboration with national security and education agencies.

Education stakeholders have welcomed the move, describing it as a necessary step to safeguard the credibility of certificates issued by WAEC and ensure fairness among candidates.

WAEC is expected to provide further clarification on the revised examination timing structure through its national offices ahead of upcoming examination diets.