GCE Harder than WAEC? Differences To Expect
What do you think when you’re asked this kind of question?
Of course, the guy had written WAEC April/May (formerly May/June) and made a few papers. He wanted to make up for his deficiencies in English, Chemistry, and Physics. That’s why he must obtain the WAEC Jan/Feb series (formerly called WAEC GCE).
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WAEC stated differences between her three exams |
I’ll be willing to answer this question. Yet, we need to make some facts known before we can jump to a conclusion. Let’s go…
Nature of WAEC GCE, NECO GCE, NBAIS GCE, and NABTEB GCE
- The time of NECO, NBAIS, and NABTEB GCE remains November/December (or sometimes earlier) each year. While WAEC GCE has been divided into two – one holding Jan/Feb and the other Aug/Sept. They are called first and second series respectively.
- Questions are set with the alternative to practicals (on paper practicals) instead of real practicals (laboratory practicals) that April/May exams use.
- All GCEs are conducted at designated centres (secondary schools) in selected towns instead of the general secondary schools in towns across the nation – which April/May exams use.
With the above comparisons, you should get the similarities and a few differences among these GCE exams.
Are WAEC, NECO, NABTEB, and NBAIS GCE Tougher to Pass than April/May, May/June, June/July Type?
This question is a bit difficult to answer. Hence, I won’t go too blunt and direct about it. You will check the points of view below, to start with. Then, we can decide which one may be more friendly than the other.
1. The Primary Purpose
2. The Nature of the Exams
GCE doesn’t care whether you’d completed secondary school or you’re still in SS1. What matters is – do you have what it takes to pass the exams? Also, people of any age, government office, or profession are allowed to write GCE if they want.
I recently registered a 52-year old man who had been a court clerk all his years for WAEC GCE. Now, he wanted to study Law at a university. Hence, he needed to make Government and Literature because of his time, he was a commercial student with such subjects not included for him.
3. Practicals and Alternatives to Practicals
For GCE, candidates are not provided with any specimens to prepare. Instead, candidates should be aware that they will be tested with the alternatives to practicals (on-papers). The alternatives to practicals test candidates practically but not as physically involved. They can be asked to identify and fill parts of drawn objects, machines, animals, etc instead of taking part in a practical science session.
4. The Nature of GCE Syllabus
Subjects are the same, topics are the same. The only difference as earlier established is the practicals.
Which one of the School Students Exam (internal) and Private Students Exam (GCE) will be Easier?
I’ve personally attempted the two exams years back. Things are not much different from what we’re used to.
WAEC internal can be easier because you’re have been well prepared for the papers most recently (SS1 to 3). People usually write GCE while they’d abandoned books for months – if not years. This may make it more difficult to pass.
There are other reasons WAEC internal (school students exams) could be more convenient as detailed in this post.
Another thing that makes internal exams more convenient is environmental psychology. You’re used to the invigilators (who usually are your teachers), your exams hall, and other students.
With GCE, you’re more likely which you’re going to write in a different school or town. You will meet new teachers and supervisors. Even other students may come from far places and you might have not met them before.
This definitely may have effects on candidates’ performance.
But in reality, if well prepared, you need the same amount of effort and reading to pass both internal exams and the GCE types.
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