NECO Reduces English Exam Questions, Streamlines SSCE Paper Structure

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has announced major adjustments to the structure of the English Language Paper III for the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) Internal, reducing the number of objective questions from 100 to 80.

According to an official notification signed by Sunday K. Bolaji, NECO’s State Coordinator for Osun State, and dated September 1, 2025, the changes will take effect from the 2026 SSCE Internal examinations.

The restructured Paper III will now consist of 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 Text (10 questions)

In addition, the time allocation for the paper has been reduced to 50 minutes. NECO stated that the adjustment is aimed at streamlining the examination process, improving focus on core areas of assessment, and enhancing the overall testing experience for candidates.

This development comes as NECO continues preparations for its transition to computer-based testing (CBT), which will officially begin with the November/December 2025 SSCE External. The shift follows the Federal Government’s July 2025 directive to deploy accredited CBT centres nationwide for all school-based SSCEs by 2026.

To ensure a smooth rollout, NECO has invited qualified CBT centre operators across Nigeria to apply for accreditation, subject to strict technical, infrastructural, and security requirements.

Education stakeholders say the reforms are expected to modernise Nigeria’s examination system, reduce malpractice, and improve operational efficiency, while also expanding access to digital education nationwide.