External examinations in Nigeria are typically conducted by various examination bodies, each responsible for specific levels of education and types of assessments. The primary examination bodies include:
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West African Examinations Council (WAEC):
- WAEC is responsible for conducting the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for students in senior secondary schools.
- Examinations are held annually, usually around May to June, and results are released a few months later.
- WAEC also conducts exams for private candidates through the WAEC GCE (General Certificate Examination).
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National Examinations Council (NECO):
- NECO conducts the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) as well.
- This examination is usually held in June and July, with results released afterward.
- NECO also conducts other examinations such as the National Common Entrance Examination for admission into federal unity colleges.
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Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB):
- JAMB conducts the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), which is required for admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
- The UTME is usually held once a year, and candidates must register and sit for the examination.
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Professional Examinations:
- Various professional bodies (e.g., ICAN for accounting, NMC for medicine, etc.) also conduct external examinations for certification in their respective fields.
Conducting Examinations:
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Registration: Candidates must register for the examinations, providing necessary details and usually paying a fee. Registration is often done online.
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Preparation: Schools and students prepare for the examinations through routine assessments, mock exams, and study sessions.
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Exam Administration:
- The examinations are administered in designated examination centers.
- The examination bodies set the papers, which are distributed to the centers on the exam day.
- There are strict regulations in place to ensure the integrity of the exams, including the use of invigilators to monitor the conduct of the examination.
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Assessment and Grading: After the examinations, scripts are collected, marked, and grades are assigned based on predetermined criteria.
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Results: Examination bodies usually release results online and through designated centers. Candidates may receive their results via SMS or email, depending on the policies of the examination body.
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Post-Examination Services: Candidates may have the option to apply for results verification or re-sits for certain subjects, depending on the policies of the examination body.
Challenges:
External examinations in Nigeria face several challenges, including issues of examination malpractice, logistical difficulties, and the reliability of results. However, government and educational authorities continuously work on improving the system to enhance the credibility and quality of external assessments.