From 100 to 80: NECO Unveils Revised English Exam Structure for Students
The National Examinations Council (NECO) has announced a major adjustment to the structure of the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) Internal English Language Paper III. Beginning with the 2026 SSCE Internal, the number of objective questions will be reduced from 100 to 80.
According to an official notification dated September 1, 2025, and signed by the Osun State Coordinator, Sunday K. Bolaji, the new paper will now consist of six sections: Antonyms (10 questions), Appropriateness of Registers (10 questions), Interpretation of Idioms, Phrasal Verbs, and Foreign Words (10 questions), Synonyms (10 questions), Grammatical Structures (30 questions), and Cloze Text (10 questions). The duration of Paper III has also been adjusted to 50 minutes.
This change is part of NECO’s broader effort to streamline the examination process and improve the testing experience for students.
It comes on the heels of NECO’s confirmation on August 29 that the council will fully transition to computer-based testing (CBT), starting with the November/December 2025 SSCE external.
The new system will replace the traditional paper-and-pencil method and is set to extend to the school-based SSCEs by 2026, in line with the Federal Government’s directive to deploy CBT centres nationwide.
To ensure a smooth transition, NECO has called on CBT centre operators across Nigeria to apply for accreditation, which will be subject to strict technical, infrastructural, and security requirements.
The shift is expected to modernise Nigeria’s examination system, curb malpractice, boost operational efficiency, and expand access to digital education.
This development speaks directly to the right of every child to quality education. By modernising examinations, NECO is taking steps to safeguard children’s right to equal learning opportunities and to prepare them for a future driven by digital innovation.
