NECO Lists Requirements for CBT Hall as Agency Moves from Paper-Pencil Examination
- National Examinations Council (NECO) has 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
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The National Examinations Council (NECO) has formally announced its transition from the traditional paper-pencil examination format to a fully computer-based system, beginning with the November/December 2025 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) External.
In a statement released on Wednesday and shared with PUNCH Online, the Council disclosed that it had “concluded arrangements to migrate from paper pencil to computer-based examination,” marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s educational assessment landscape.
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Computer-based examination centres to meet strict NECO requirements
To facilitate the rollout of the new computer-based examination (CBE) format, NECO has invited applications from “interested Computer-Based Centre Operators” nationwide.
These operators will be required to meet rigorous technical, infrastructural, and security standards to qualify for registration.
According to the Council’s newly published guidelines, each approved centre must house a minimum of 150 functional computer systems or laptops, with an additional 10% backup capacity.
Centres must also be equipped with robust servers, air-conditioned halls, and cubicles built to specific dimensions. Surveillance is mandatory, with IP-enabled CCTV cameras and reliable internet connectivity from MTN or Airtel listed as essential.
NECO emphasised that only permanent CBT centres will be considered, stating that “make-shift CBT centres are not allowed; all centres must therefore be dedicated CBT centres that are used and maintained as such all year round.”
The Federal Government had earlier, in July, revealed plans to deploy both privately-owned and publicly-managed CBT centres for the conduct of the school-based SSCE by 2026.
This aligns with NECO’s phased transition strategy and reflects a broader national commitment to digitalising educational assessments.
NECO sets high standards for examination integrity
In its statement, NECO depicted the importance of integrity and professionalism among CBT centre personnel. The Council stated that “CBE centre personnel (including technical staff) should be dependable and trustworthy,” adding that they must be “men of high integrity that can ensure the credibility of the examination process.”
Infrastructure requirements also include a minimum 40kva generator, UPS or inverters with at least three hours of backup power, internal toilets, holding rooms for candidates, and fenced premises with adequate security.
Here is a list of conditions for hall, system, personnel and facilities requirements:
APPLICATION FROM COMPUTER-BASED EXAMINATION (CBE) CENTRE OPERATORS.
The National Examinations Council (NECO) has concluded arrangements to migrate from paper pencil to computer-based Examination, starting from the 2025 November/December Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) External.
Interested Computer-Based Centre Operators are invited to apply for Registration with the Council based on the following criteria
COMPUTER-BASED EXAMINATION (CBE) CENTRE REQUIREMENTS AND GUIDELINES
A. System Requirements
1. Minimum of 150 functional Computer Systems/Laptops with 10% (ie, 15 ) backups with the following minimum specifications:
Intel Based processor. Dual core Celeron/Pentium, Ram: 4GB Ram, HD: SSD Preferred, 32GB minimum, Windows 10, 10/100MB RJ45 Network Port, Browser (Latest versions of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Microsoft Edge).
2. Minimum 15 inches flat screen Computer monitor for desktop or 17 inches for laptop.
3. The computer systems must be connected to a robust computer server with capacity to carry a minimum of 150 systems concurrently.
4. Provision of up-to-date Antivirus and all the systems must be virus free.
5. All the computer systems must be linked together in a star topology on Cable Local Area Network topology (LAN). (Wireless Computer connection is not allowed).
6. Switches must be on uninterrupted power source throughout the examination.
7. Gigabit switches are the recommended switches and each center must have 2 backup switches.
B. Hall Requirements
8. Provision of individual cubicle with minimum length of 26 inches, breadth of 18 inches and height of 18 inches and appropriate seat for each system.
9. Availability of adequate and functional air-conditioners and lighting.
10. Availability of prescribed CCTV network with IP Cameras for monitoring.
11. The CCTV must be cabled; no wireless CCTV will be allowed.
12. Exposed or flying cables are not allowed in the examination hall; all cables must therefore be trunked.
13. Network coverage: There must be strong MTN or AIRTEL signal at the location of the centre.
14. There must be enough Wall Clocks that will be visible to all candidates in the hall as candidates would no longer be allowed to bring in Wrist Watches to the examination hall.
15. Make-shift CBT centres are not allowed, all centres must therefore be dedicated CBT centres that are used and maintained as such all year round.
16. The centre must not be in shared premises such as cinema hall, shopping mall, market, etc.
17. Availability of back-up power supply (power generating set of minimum 40kva for a centre with 250 systems and UPS/inverters that can carry all systems for a minimum of three (3) hours.
18. Adequate CBE personnel, two technical personnel (2) and one (1) network engineer. 19. The CBE centre personnel (including technical staff) should be dependable and trustworthy. They are to be men of high integrity that can ensure the credibility of the examination process.
20. Provision must be made for adequate holding room or reception facility eg canopy with chairs, etc.
21. There must be internal toilets (inside the CBT hall).
22. Adequate security personnel of the CBE Facilities.
23. The centre must be adequately fenced.
Source: UGC
NECO announces massive recruitments
Legit.ng earlier reported that The National Examinations Council (NECO) has announced massive recruitments after its switch from Pen Paper Tests (PPT) to Computer-Based Examinations.
The examination body also confirmed it would be migrating from paper-based exams to CBTs from the 2025 November/December Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) External.
Source: Legit.ng
