NECO Deploys Software for Grading of Students; www.mynecoexams.com
The National Examinations Council (NECO) has deployed cutting-edge software to ensure efficient grading of candidates in its various examinations.
The examination body has also stated that the initial placement of NECO on the the list of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), that remit 25 per cent of generated revenue to government coffers has taken a toll on the exam body’s activities.
The Registrar/Chief Executive of NECO, Prof. Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, made this known in Minna during a press briefing to mark his one year in office.
Speaking on the new grading system, Wushishi, who listed several achievements recorded since assuming office, said the software would ensure the precise grade value for every subject.
He said: “One of the innovations that will bring to bear in the conduct of the examination is determining the way and manner we determine the grade number, which relates to the allocation of grades for various subjects to students.
“Formerly it was done manually and there are processes that are followed in doing that manually, but when I came, I felt it is necessary to align ourselves and some of our operations with the in-thing, which is technology, and we felt there is need for us to have a software that will enable us determine precisely real values for subjects after our exams. So we had a workshop for that and we were able to now deploy standard software to determine grade and marking.”
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On the successes recorded in recent times in the conduct of the school-based Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) and its external version, Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), as well as National Common Entrance Examination of unity schools, Wushishi said he was able to put in place mechanisms to drastically reduce cases of malpractice and other challenges.
The NECO boss listed some of the measures to include deployment of robust security surveillance for exam papers and officials, improved welfare mechanisms for staff and examiners, and the use of foolproof software in selection of NECO staff on monitoring duties, among others.
we had over 30,000 cases of exam malpractice., we had just about 20,000 and this year, we have confidence it will reduce to the barest minimum. In our last BECE, the malpractice was about 600 cases and this year, it was less than 100,” he said.
Wushishi said though NECO was removed from the list in June , over N6 billion was deducted from its Treasury Single Account (TSA) when it was on the list, adding that the exam body needs money to meet its obligations.
“From to June (this year), the Minister of Finance has deducted from NECO’s Treasury Single Account the total of N6,023,145,000:23K.
“We also need to pursue the money removed, the 50 per cent is supposed to be taken as operating surplus and give us the rest to settle our debts, so we have another battle for the reconciliation,” he said.
Speaking on the debts owed the Council by some state governments, Wushishi revealed that NECO has recovered part of the money, but lamented that over N2 billion still remained unpaid.
His words: “When you talk about the issue of debts, we have done a lot. We have recovered some, some states are still indebted to the Council to the tune of over N2 billion. This is for over so many years, from 2012 till date. We are making efforts and some states are responding.
“And through our efforts to make sure we solve our problems, we have a commitment with the Accountant General of the Federation, and the states we have MoU with, we can take the MoU to the Accountant General’s office to deduct from source but we are very tactical about it, because we also have to sensitize the state governments on the need to keep this place afloat, and it is the payment of what they have subscribed for in the council that will keep this place afloat.
“So we are tactically doing that and we are getting the result and we have not yet taken any state to the Accountant General office.”
While commending President Muhammadu Buhari, the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu and the governing board of NECO for their great support to the Council, Wushishi said the exam body relies heavily on money generated from candidates’ registrations for its various capital projects and other activities that relate to conduct of exams.
He said some of the policies and innovative reforms he initiated in NECO have brought about positive turnaround of the Council and more efficient conduct of all its examinations within Nigeria and some other neighbouring African countries, including Niger Republic and Gabon, among others.
NECO Grades and Their Points
Understanding NECO Grades and Their Point Systems
The National Examinations Council (NECO) is a critical examination body in Nigeria, responsible for conducting the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE). For students, parents, and educators, understanding how NECO grades are calculated and how they translate into points—particularly for university admission processes—is essential for academic planning.
This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of the NECO grading structure and the point systems used by Nigerian tertiary institutions.
The NECO Grading System
NECO assesses candidates on a scale that reflects their level of proficiency in a subject. The grades range from A1 (the highest) to F9 (the lowest).
| Grade | Description | Interpretation |
| A1 | Excellent | Distinction |
| B2 | Very Good | Distinction |
| B3 | Good | Distinction |
| C4 | Credit | Credit |
| C5 | Credit | Credit |
| C6 | Credit | Credit |
| D7 | Pass | Pass |
| E8 | Pass | Pass |
| F9 | Fail | Fail |
Understanding the Thresholds
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Distinction (A1–B3): Represent a high level of mastery of the subject matter. These grades are highly competitive for top-tier university courses.
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Credit (C4–C6): These are generally the minimum requirement for university admission. Most Nigerian universities require a minimum of five credits in relevant subjects, including Mathematics and English Language, in one or two sittings.
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Pass (D7–E8): While technically a “pass,” these grades are often not accepted for university admission purposes. They may, however, be sufficient for entry into certain polytechnics or monotechnics, depending on the institution’s specific requirements.
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Fail (F9): The candidate has not demonstrated sufficient knowledge to pass the subject.
Understanding the Point System for Admissions
While NECO provides the grades, universities often convert these grades into a points system to rank candidates during the admission process. This is particularly relevant for the Post-UTME screening exercise.
Note: It is crucial to understand that there is no single, unified national point system for NECO. Each university or polytechnic has the autonomy to develop its own criteria for converting O’Level results into points.
How Point Systems Generally Work
Most institutions utilize a weighted system where higher grades are rewarded with more points. A common (though not universal) model looks like this:
| Grade | Points |
| A1 | 6 Points |
| B2 | 5 Points |
| B3 | 4 Points |
| C4 | 3 Points |
| C5 | 2 Points |
| C6 | 1 Point |
How Institutions Use These Points
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Selection Weighting: An institution may state that a candidate’s O’Level results contribute 10% or 20% to their total admission score, with the remainder coming from the UTME score and Post-UTME screening.
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Subject Relevance: Many schools calculate points based only on the five required subjects for the specific course applied for (e.g., Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, and English for a Medicine applicant).
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One vs. Two Sittings: Some universities may assign a higher point value to candidates who achieve their five credits in a single sitting compared to those who combine two results (e.g., WAEC and NECO).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I combine NECO and WAEC results?
Yes. Most Nigerian universities allow candidates to combine their O’Level results. You can use your NECO result alongside your WAEC (or NABTEB) result to meet the five-credit requirement.
2. Do all schools use the same points for NECO?
No. You must check the specific admission brochure or the official website of the university you are applying to. Some schools may use a 5-point scale, while others may use a 6-point scale or have a different weighting mechanism entirely.
3. Why are some of my subjects graded differently?
NECO grades are based on your performance relative to the national average in that subject for that specific year. The difficulty of the exam and the performance of other candidates can influence the final grade cut-offs.
4. What if I have an F9?
An F9 indicates a failure in that subject. You will need to re-sit the examination for that subject if it is a mandatory requirement for your course of study.
Strategic Advice for Applicants
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Check the JAMB Brochure: The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) brochure is your primary resource. It details the exact O’Level requirements for every course in every institution in Nigeria.
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Focus on the Core Subjects: Regardless of the point system, ensure you prioritize securing at least a C6 in Mathematics and English Language, as these are non-negotiable for almost every degree program.
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Research Your Target School: Visit the admission portal of your preferred university early in the application cycle. Look for “Admission Guidelines” or “Screening Criteria” to see how they specifically treat O’Level grades.
Understanding how your NECO performance translates into admission points is a powerful step in securing your spot in the university of your choice. Always verify the current year’s specific requirements directly with your target institutions, as policies can change from one academic session to the next.