The National Examinations Council (NECO) has announced major changes to the English Language Paper III of the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) Internal.
Starting from the 2026 edition, the number of objective questions will be reduced from 100 to 80, while the exam duration will be cut to 50 minutes.
According to an official circular signed by the Osun State Coordinator, Sunday K. Bolaji, and dated September 1, 2025, the revised paper will now contain six sections:
Antonyms – 10 questions
Appropriateness of Registers – 10 questions
Idioms, Phrasal Verbs, and Foreign Words – 10 questions
Synonyms – 10 questions
Grammatical Structures – 30 questions
Cloze Test – 10 questions
The examination body explained that the adjustment is aimed at streamlining the assessment process and making the exam more effective for candidates.
This development comes shortly after NECO confirmed its full transition from paper-and-pencil exams to computer-based testing (CBT).
The shift will begin with the November/December 2025 SSCE External, in line with the Federal Government’s directive that all school-based SSCEs adopt CBT by 2026.
The council has also invited private and public operators of CBT centres to apply for accreditation. Centres must meet strict technical, infrastructural, and security standards to ensure smooth operations and maintain examination integrity.
NECO said the reforms are part of its broader plan to modernise Nigeria’s examination system, curb malpractice, and improve efficiency while boosting access to digital learning nationwide.
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