WAEC introduces new technology for detecting examination malpractices during WASSCE

WAEC in its quest to stay ahead has introduced a new technology aimed at detecting examination malpractices during the WASSCE and other related examinations.

The new electronic technology will aid the examining body to easily detect collusion cases in objective tests.

Detecting WASSCE examination malpractices has been the agenda of WAEC to ensure the credibility of its exams are protected.

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In a statement by WAEC sighted by edulearnweb.com, the council revealed that it was not possible for the council to visit all examination centres due to geographical location and the high rate of collusion during the conduct of examination is worrying. It said collusion is on the high during the marking of subjective scripts of candidates as answers look the same.

It has also detected a trend where candidates score good marks in the objective test in centres but fail woefully in the essay scripts. Detecting WASSCE examination malpractices by WAEC implies having institutional control and prevention of any form of cheating, before, during and after the examination. This has proven humanly impossible, hence the need to deploy the technology.

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It has therefore introduced a new software tool, Item Differentia Profile, to assist in detecting every form of objective tests collusions.

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Below is the full message from WAEC

THE WEST AFRICAN EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL DEPLOYS A NEW ELECTRONIC MEANS OF DETECTING EXAMINATION MALPRACTICE (COLLUSION CASES) IN OBJECTIVE TESTS

(1) Since it is not possible for WAEC inspectors to visit all schools/centres to inspect the conduct of all examination papers, due to the geographical spread of examination centres across the country, many malpractice cases such as collusion are perpetrated during examinations.

(2) A high number of collusion cases are usually detected by examiners during the marking of Essay Scripts.

(3) There are schools/centres where almost all the candidates score very high marks in objective tests, but very low marks in the theory papers, and this has been of great concern to the Council.

(4) Collusion cases in Objective Papers previously went undetected because of lack of known technologies to detect malpractice in objective tests.

(5) A new software tool, Item Differentia Profile, is now available to detect collusion cases in objective tests.

2. DEPLOYMENT OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL INSTRUMENT (ITEM DIFFERENTIA PROFILE) FOR THE DETECTION OF COLLUSION CASES IN OBJECTIVE TEST

WAEC through its commitment to combatting examination malpractice, consistent innovation, deployment of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in its operations, has deployed a software application for detecting cases of collusion
(malpractice) among candidates during the conduct of Objective tests.

The new technological solution is capable of detecting most of the collusion cases that take place during the conduct of objective tests in WASSC examinations, and to report on the candidates who were implicated, using the charge sheets, that are electronically generated by the computer.

Candidates and other stakeholders are hereby informed about this new development, so that they would be advised to desist from examination malpractice forthwith because ignorance will not be accepted as an excuse for any reported breach. Please be guided accordingly.

Source: Edulearnweb.com