Education
NECO Reduces English Exam Questions From 100 to 80, Introduces New Paper Structure
The National Examinations Council (NECO) has announced major changes to the English Language Paper III of the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) Internal, effective from 2026.
In an official notice signed by Osun State Coordinator, Sunday K. Bolaji, and dated September 1, 2025, NECO confirmed that the total number of objective questions will be reduced from 100 to 80.
The revised paper structure 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
The time allocated for Paper III will also be reduced to 50 minutes. According to NECO, the adjustment is designed to streamline the examination process and improve the testing experience for students.
This development comes shortly after NECO announced on August 29, 2025, that it would fully transition from paper-and-pencil examinations to computer-based testing (CBT). The transition will begin with the November/December 2025 SSCE External and extend to the 2026 school-based SSCE Internal.
The move aligns with the Federal Government’s July 2025 directive mandating the use of accredited public and private CBT centres nationwide for school examinations.
NECO has also invited CBT centre operators across the country to apply for accreditation. Applicants must meet strict technical, infrastructural, and security requirements to guarantee examination integrity.
The reforms are part of NECO’s broader efforts to modernise Nigeria’s examination system, reduce malpractice, improve efficiency, and expand access to digital education.
