NECO Reduces English Language Exam Questions from 100 to 80, Gives Reason

• The National Examinations Council (NECO) has announced a plan to streamline the English language exam in the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE)
• The examination body said it will slash questions in the English Language Paper III from 100 to 80 from 2026 SSCE Internal exams
• The State Coordinator for Osun State, Sunday K. Bolaji, disclosed the six sections in the new paper structure

Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 8 years of experience covering basic and tertiary education in Nigeria and worldwide

Minna, Niger state - The National Examinations Council (NECO) said it will reduce the number of objective questions for the English Language Paper III in the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) Internal.

The examination body said the total number of questions will be reduced from 100 to 80.

NECO said the reduction in question will commence from the 2026 SSCE Internal exams

Read also

“How APC is plotting to rig Osun governorship election,” ADC alleges

As reported by The Punch, the State Coordinator for Osun State, Sunday K. Bolaji, made this known in a statement issued on Monday, September 1, 2025.

According to the statement, the new paper structure includes six sections.

Breakdown of English language questions

• Grammatical Structures (30 questions)
• Antonyms (10 questions)
• Synonyms (10 questions)
• Cloze Text (10 questions)
• Appropriateness of Registers (10 questions)
• Appropriate Interpretation of Idioms, Phrasal Verbs, and Foreign Words (10 questions)

NECO disclosed that 50 minutes will be allocated for the English language Paper III

The examination body explained that the change aims to streamline the examination process and enhance the testing experience for students.

NECO snapshot

The National Examinations Council (also known as NECO) is an examination body in Nigeria that conducts the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination and the General Certificate in Education in June/July and November/December, respectively.

The Registrar/ Chief Executive is Prof. Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi and the the examination body's head office is located in Minna, the Niger state capital

Read also

Polytechnic workers threaten nationwide strike, issue FG 21-day ultimatum, list demands

NECO lists requirements for the CBT hall

Recall that Legit.ng reported that NECO announced a landmark shift to computer-based testing, beginning with the 2025 SSCE External.

The council has issued strict technical and security guidelines for CBT centres, signalling a nationwide overhaul of exam infrastructure.

The digital transition aligns with the federal government’s broader plan to fully adopt CBT for school-based SSCE by 2026.

FG gives orders to JAMB, WAEC, NECO

Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led federal government has issued a fresh directive to JAMB, WAEC, NECO, and NABTEB over exam malpractice.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, directed the examination bodies to blacklist CBT centres and candidates found guilty of examination malpractices.

Alausa said schools/CBT centres found guilty of exam malpractice will be derecognised, and students (s) involved in examination malpractice should be barred from external exams for three years

Read also

INEC PVC pre-registration: ADC raises alarm over extraordinary registration in southwest

Source: Legit.ng