It is that time of the year when either you or your kids have to write their final examination in secondary school. A few years ago, examinations were written manually and the results were also manually documented.
Today, we live in a digital age where technology is gradually taking over. Most of the manually conducted examinations are now automated and a good example is the West African Examination Council’s (WAEC) newly adopted computer-based test.
If you are looking to pass your CBT effortlessly in 2024, then this article is for you. Let us look at easy ways to get you prepared to ace your exam in 2024.
What is WAEC CBT?
The acronym WAEC stands for West African Examination Council and CBT stands for Computer Based Test. The CBT is the latest development that WAEC has decided to adopt in order to conduct credible examinations.
The implementation of the CBT is said to begin in February 2024 for private candidates. These private candidates are students who will obtain their certificates directly from WAEC and not from schools.
WAEC Registration for 2024
If you want to participate in the WAEC CBT exercise, then hurry and make arrangements to get registered from Monday the 18th of December 2023 as portals will be open for registration to begin.
How does the CBT exam work?
The computer-based test is carried out using computers, where these computers are connected to the internet.
The candidates use computers to answer questions from different subjects within a fixed time. There is usually a timer that reads for each question in most cases.
Usually, when the timer counts down to zero, the candidate will no longer have access to the examination questions as that will mark the end of the exam.
How to pass a CBT exam
For every examination practice, there is a set of rules to follow depending on how that examination is going to be conducted. Passing a CBT exam is quite easy but slightly different from passing a manual exam. Here are a few tips to help you with any CBT exam;
- Know-how: the first thing to do in order to pass a CBT exam is to know how to use a computer. You have to gain basic knowledge of computer operations.
- Practice: there is a saying we all know that “practice, makes perfect”, it can’t be clearer than that. If you must excel in your exam then you must practice how to operate a computer several times before the exam, if you are not familiar with a computer.
You must learn to read things on the screen as fast as you can, speed should be part of your practice. A month’s practice or more can get you there.
- Read through: for any exam, be it manual or automated, you have to read the instructions given before you attempt any questions.
- Manage time: time management cannot be overlooked. You must learn to use the time given to answer all the given questions. It should not be just about beating time though, be sure to have as many questions answered correctly.
- Cross check: you may not be able to go back to view questions you have already answered, so, it’s always best you confirm your answer again before you move to the next question.
- Submit: in some cases, if you fail to click the submit button when you are done with the exam, the system does notautomatically submit the test for you. So, you must always click on submit when you are done with your test.
How many questions are there in a CBT exam?
More often than not, a CBT will have multiple-choice questions ranging from 115 to 120. This may be the range regardless of the number of subjects included. The time limit could be up to 4 hours with break time in between.
NOTE: to ace a CBT you must score more than 79%. So, be sure to give correct answers to more than 90% of the questions you are asked.
How to study for WAEC CBT exams in 2024
The WAEC examinations will always remain the same and its purpose will not change regardless of the format in which it is carried out.
You still have to prepare for the WAEC CBT almost the same way you’ll prepare for a manual WAEC exam but with a slight difference. The following are some tips on how to study for a WAEC CBT exam;
- Success is the goal, so, think success!
- Create time to read.
- Practice past WAEC questions.
- Practice reading on a screen with a little more speed.
- Carefully read all the instructions given.
- Read each question more than once.
- Try to answer questions before looking at the options given.
- Try picking out all the wrong options first.
- Choose the correct answer and click it on the screen.
- Be sure to answer all questions.
- Click the Submit button on the screen at the end of the exercise.
NOTE: some computer-based tests provide options for you to check all the questions you have answered before submitting.
Be sure to check if the one you are writing has such options and if you finish before your time runs out, go through all the questions and answers again before submitting. GOOD LUCK!!
