First, a committee of experts draws up a marking guide. All appointed examiners are then thoroughly drilled in all aspects of the marking scheme in a simulated marking exercise called co-ordination. Actual marking does not start until the coordinating officers are satisfied that all examiners know what is required of them. Even when actual marking begins, the examiners are not left entirely on their own.

They are organised into small groups, each being supervised by a highly experienced examiner called a Team Leader. The Team Leader checks and vets the group members' marking progressively to ensure that they are keeping to the guidelines.

The Team Leaders themselves are supervised by more experienced examiners called Chief Examiners. When marking is finally completed, WAEC still goes ahead to employ another group of people called Checkers. The main role of Checkers is to ensure that all marks awarded by examiners are correctly recorded and transferred to the appropriate score sheets.

The Council usually advertises entry periods and entry procedures in national newspapers. In respect of the WASSCE for example, the Council conducts two exams each year; the first in May/June for school candidates and the second in October/November for private candidates.

Registration for either May/June or the November/December WASSCE is done through the Internet (online). The May/June exam is for school candidates and all entry formalities are undertaken by the schools presenting candidates.

In the case of the private candidates' examination, entry is on an individual basis. A prospective candidate purchases the entry scratch card which enables him/her to complete the entry form on the Council's registration website-www.waeconline.org.ng. A registered candidate subsequently prints out from the website the identification photo card, which contains vital information about the candidate's centre name, location, number and the subjects entered for. The examination timetable and subject syllabuses are also made available to prospective candidates on the website.

It is important to note that once the prescribed fee is paid to the accredited selling agent, a prospective candidate obtains two scratch cards, one for the online registration and the other for the online checking of results.

Results are partially released due to queries arising from one or a combination of the following mistakes:

• Wrong transfer of examination numbers in one or more papers;
• Failure to shade examination numbers;
• Shading objective sheets with biro pens instead of pencil;
• Mistakes in entries leading to duplication of subjects.

A comprehensive list of offences is provided in Council's Regulations & Syllabuses.

• The following, among others, constitute examination malpractice:
• Candidates bringing books or cribs into the examination hall;
• Insulting or assaulting any examination official;
• Swapping of scripts in an examination hall;
• Replacing their answer scripts with another one during or after the examination;
• Impersonation;
• Taking part in mass or organised cheating in the exam hall;
• All other acts that contravene the rules governing the conduct of the examination.

No. Instead it issues statements of result to the owners of lost certificates or, when necessary, confirms their results for a fee.

WAEC also issue attestation of result document for damaged and lost certificates.

Yes, but only if (s)he is a school candidate. No provision is made for a private candidate in this regard. Even then, a school candidate does not write directly to WAEC. It is her/his principal who, knowing the candidate's ability, forwards a request for the review of the candidate's scripts. Of course, there is a specified fee to be paid on every paper to be reviewed. Such requests should be sent in within sixty days of any examination.

No. The marking of scripts is handled by examiners appointed by WAEC. They are usually educationists who are familiar with the classroom situation and their identities are not supposed to be disclosed.