The West African Examinations Council has withheld the results of 2,577 candidates who sat for the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination for Private Candidates Second Series, citing alleged examination malpractice.
The exam body, in a statement on Sunday by its Acting Head of Public Affairs, Moyosola Adesina, announced the release of the results while introducing a significant shift in its examination format.
For the first time, the exam was conducted in two modes: the traditional paper-and-pen format and a new computer-based hybrid model.
While the majority of candidates have accessed their results, those affected by the withholdings have been advised to visit WAEC’s Notice of Examination Malpractice Portal to make representations regarding their cases.
The council stated that all reported cases will be thoroughly investigated before decisions are communicated to the affected candidates.
Despite the withheld results, WAEC highlighted a significant improvement in candidates’ performance.
Out of the 65,023 candidates who sat for the exam, 34,878 (53.64%) obtained credit passes in at least five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics—an improvement of 9.35% compared to previous years.
The examination recorded a decline in enrollment, with 68,342 candidates registering—20% fewer than in 2023.
However, WAEC reassured that efforts were ongoing to process the results of 2,669 candidates whose subjects were yet to be finalized due to errors.
Meanwhile, 157 candidates with special needs, including those with visual and hearing impairments, were accommodated during the examination, underscoring WAEC’s commitment to inclusivity.
The council expressed gratitude to government agencies, security personnel, invigilators, and examiners for their contributions to the smooth conduct of the exam, emphasizing that the results reflect their collective efforts.
