Computer Based Testing Technique in Nigeria: Prospects and Challenges

Abstract

There has been a public outcry over the conduct, authenticity and reliability of public examinations in Nigeria. In response to these complaints, the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) introduced a full scale computer-based test (CBT) in the 2015 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to eliminate examination malpractice and to facilitate examination registration and prompt release of result. This paper examines the challenges militating against CBT in Nigeria and the prospects of full adoption of CBT in all public examinations in the country. Secondary data sources including relevant journals, conference papers, and internet resource materials among others were mainly used for this study. Several challenges were identified, but the chief among them is gross inadequacy of ICT infrastructure in the country. The prospects of CBT in Nigeria were found to be very high owing to JAMB, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), and other key government agencies’ acceptance of CBT for public examination. This paper rejects building of one CBT centre per local government area as being planned by federal government, rather recommends that at least four (4) government owned standard CBT centres should be built and equipped in each of the 774 local government areas to facilitate seamless transition from paper and pencil test (PPT) to CBT.

Keywords: computer-based test, education, examination, ICT, infrastructure