The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced significant changes to the administration of the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in Liberia. These reforms, designed to curb malpractice and modernize the exam process, introduce varied question sets, incorporate technical and vocational subjects, and enforce stricter regulations for candidate conduct. The examination, scheduled for May 15th to June 10th, 2025, will see 53,210 candidates from 1,078 senior high schools participating, with the Liberian government covering the examination fees for all candidates. A notable shift involves the digitization of the exam for public school students starting in 2026, while private schools will continue with the paper-based format until they develop the necessary technological capacity.
One of the most significant changes is the implementation of varied question sets for the same subjects across different schools. While students in all schools will be assessed on the same curriculum, the specific questions on their exam papers will differ slightly. This strategy aims to minimize the potential for cheating and ensure a more accurate reflection of individual student performance. This method, proven successful in other regions, will initially be applied to four core subjects in the 2025 WASSCE. This innovative approach is expected to significantly reduce instances of examination malpractice.
In addition to the varied question sets, WAEC has introduced stricter regulations for candidate behavior and exam administration. These regulations encompass arrival times, adherence to supervisor instructions, mandatory physical searches, and specified writing instruments for different sections of the exam. Students are required to wear their official school uniforms and are strictly prohibited from engaging in any form of malpractice, including camping before or during the exam, paying unauthorized fees, bringing prohibited materials into exam halls, tampering with scripts, or seeking unauthorized assistance. Any form of disrespect or aggression towards examination staff is also strictly forbidden.
The 2025 WASSCE also marks the inclusion of technical and vocational subjects in the examination scope, bringing the total number of subjects Liberian candidates will sit for to nine. This expansion reflects the growing emphasis on technical and vocational skills development within the Liberian education system. Furthermore, logistical arrangements have been made to accommodate three Guinean schools that traditionally traveled to Ganta, Liberia, for the exams. These schools will now be able to administer the WASSCE within their own regions, facilitated through collaboration between the Liberian Ministries of Education and Foreign Affairs.
The 53,210 candidates represent both public and private schools, with 18,201 students from public schools and 36,428 from private institutions. A total of 379 examination centers across 155 schools will host the WASSCE administration. The significant number of private schools participating (800 out of 1,078) highlights the role of private education within the Liberian educational landscape. The government’s commitment to funding the exam fees for all candidates underscores its dedication to ensuring access to secondary education and facilitating the smooth administration of the WASSCE.
Looking towards the future, WAEC is embracing digital advancements in examination administration. Beginning in 2026, public school students will transition to online examinations, leveraging the computer resources already provided to these institutions by the Ministry of Education. Private schools, on the other hand, will continue with the paper-based format until they develop the necessary digital infrastructure to support online testing. This phased approach allows for a smooth transition to digital examinations while ensuring equitable access for all students. The ongoing reforms implemented by WAEC demonstrate a commitment to enhancing the integrity, efficiency, and modernity of the WASSCE across West Africa.
