The National Examinations Council (NECO) has announced a significant change to the structure of its 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 circular signed by the Osun State Coordinator, Sunday K. Bolaji, and dated 1 September 2025, the revised format will take effect from the 2026 SSCE Internal.
The new structure comprises six sections:
- Antonyms (10 questions)
- Appropriateness of Registers (10)
- Idioms, Phrasal Verbs and Foreign Words (10)
- Synonyms (10)
- Grammatical Structures (30)
- Cloze Text (10)
The duration of Paper III will also be reduced to 50 minutes. NECO explained that the adjustment is aimed at streamlining the examination process and improving the testing experience for candidates.
This development comes as the council prepares to fully transition from paper-and-pencil tests to computer-based testing (CBT) from November/December 2025, starting with the SSCE External. The shift aligns with the Federal Government’s July directive to deploy both public and private CBT centres nationwide for school-based SSCEs by 2026.
NECO has also invited operators of CBT centres across the country to apply for accreditation, subject to strict technical, infrastructural and security requirements. The reforms are expected to modernise the examination system, curb malpractice and expand digital access to education.
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