The National Examinations Council (NECO) has announced a revision to the structure of the English Language Paper III in the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) Internal, reducing the number of objective questions from 100 to 80.
This adjustment will take effect starting with the 2026 examination cycle.
According to an official notice dated September 1, 2025, and signed by the Osun State Coordinator, Sunday K. Bolaji, the revised format for Paper III will now be divided into six sections:
- Antonyms – 10 questions
- Appropriateness of Registers – 10 questions
- Interpretation of Idioms, Phrasal Verbs, and Foreign Words – 10 questions
- Synonyms – 10 questions
- Grammatical Structures – 30 questions
- Cloze Text – 10 questions
The new time allocation for this section of the English exam will be 50 minutes. The revision aims to simplify the examination format and improve the overall experience for students.
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In line with broader reforms, NECO previously confirmed it would begin transitioning from traditional paper-based exams to computer-based testing (CBT). As reported on August 29, this change will commence with the November/December 2025 SSCE External examinations.
This transition follows a directive issued by the Federal Government in July 2025, mandating the use of public and private CBT centres for SSCEs starting in 2026.
To prepare for this shift, NECO has begun inviting applications from CBT centre operators across the country. These centres will need to meet strict technical, infrastructural, and security standards to qualify for accreditation, ensuring the credibility and smooth running of the exams.
The broader goal of these reforms is to modernize the examination system, minimize malpractice, improve operational efficiency, and increase access to digital education nationwide.
