NECO to combine common entrance tests for unity schools

The National Examination Council (NECO) says it has
adjusted the National Common Entrance
Examination (NCCE) for admission into Federal
Government Colleges in line with the education
minister’s directive.
NECO’s FCT Zonal Coordinator, Abdul Mustapha, who
spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on
Tuesday in Abuja, said the first and second tests had
been collapsed into one.
The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, on
Monday announced the cancellation of the interview
test for NCCE organised by NECO.
Mr. Adamu directed the council to strengthen its
examination processes with a view to achieving a
quality and credible NCCE for admission into unity
schools at the first test.
According to the minister, whatever inputs that are
needed to be made into the first examination should
be done.
He added that multiple examinations did not
necessarily translate into the admission of quality
pupils into secondary schools.
“In line with the minister’s directive, NECO has
already taken care of the technical aspect of the
examination by re-adjusting the first test.
“The first test, which is mainly achievement test
written as paper one and the second test which is
mainly aptitude test written as paper two, are to be
written at one sitting within the same time frame of
the existing timetable arrangement.
“So, from NECO’s perspective, the one exam will
technically yield the same result,’’ he said.
Mr. Mustapha said that the minister’s directive was
sequel to an earlier submission by NECO’s Registrar,
Prof. Abdulrashid Garba, to combine the two tests
into one composite examination.