The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) is gearing up for its 2024 Computer-Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination (CBWASSCE), set to begin on Friday, October 25, 2024, and end on December 20, 2024.
For the first time, WAEC is offering this exam in a hybrid format, blending computer-based and traditional paper-based assessments to give candidates more flexibility.
Private candidates have until Tuesday, October 29, 2024, to complete their registration, and for those unable to meet this deadline, WAEC offers a “Walk-in Candidate” option, allowing registration up to 24 hours before the exam.
Who are Private Candidates?
These are individuals who register for the exam independently of any school or institution. This group includes:
- Adults looking to complete their WAEC certification later in life.
- Students not formally enrolled in a school but who still wish to take the exams.
- Those who missed their chance to sit for the exams during their schooling years.
Private candidates are responsible for their exam preparations, and unlike school-based candidates, they must select their exam centres independently. The flexibility in this setup allows people from various walks of life to pursue their academic goals, even if they’ve taken a non-traditional path.
What you need to register for 2024 WAEC Private Candidate CBT Exam
To complete your WAEC CBT registration, ensure you have:
- A valid email address and phone number.
- Biometric data capture for fingerprint and facial recognition.
- Personal details, including your name, gender, date of birth, nationality, and state of origin.
- A picture taken with a webcam that meets the following specifications:
- Minimum 2.0MP 720p resolution.
- USB 2.0 Color High-resolution RGB support.
- Capable of up to 30 frames per second (Recommended webcam: Microsoft LifeCam HD 3000).
- This photo will appear on both your photo card and certificate.
- Your preferred examination town to choose a centre.
- Selection of 7–9 subjects, including mandatory subjects like English Language and Mathematics.
How to register for the 2024 WAEC Private Candidate CBT Exam
Here’s a simplified step-by-step guide to help you through the process:
Step 1
Go to the official WAEC registration site at https://registration.waecdirect.org/ to begin your registration.
Step 2
Start by enrolling your fingerprints and other biometric data, either at home (if you have the required software) or at an approved registration centre.
Ideally, it makes sense to continue the registration process at the WAEC-approved centre. However, if you prefer, you can resume the process at home since your details will be saved automatically.
Step 3
Provide your biodata, contact information, and examination town. Ensure everything is accurate as you want it to appear on your results and certificate.
Step 4
In addition to English and Mathematics, which are already selected for you, choose five to seven other subjects that best fit your academic goals.
Step 5
Review all your details carefully before hitting submit. Remember, you can edit the information three times before your final submission.
Step 6
After successfully submitting your registration, print out your exam photo card and notice. This will include your exam number and centre details.
About the new Hybrid Exam format
The 2024 CBWASSCE comes with a new, hybrid structure. Multiple-choice questions will be delivered via the computer, requiring candidates to input answers directly on-screen.
Essay and practical questions will still be completed in traditional answer booklets provided at the exam centres.
Those more comfortable with the paper-and-pen approach can opt to take the entire exam offline, as WAEC continues to ensure that every candidate, regardless of their familiarity with technology, can participate fully.
For Walk-in Candidates
WAEC has made provisions for “Walk-in Candidates”, allowing you to register up to 24 hours before your chosen exam. However, this comes at a higher cost, so it’s better to register early to avoid extra fees.
For the latest updates on the final exam timetable, visit the WAEC website, where you can also download study materials, past questions, and more to help in your exam prep.
How much is the 2024 WAEC Private Candidate CBT Exam?
The registration fee for the 2024 WAEC Private Candidate CBT exam may vary based on the number of subjects you select. We’re currently awaiting confirmation of the exact pricing, and we’ll update this section as soon as it’s available.
Goodluck!
