Fred Ezeh, Abuja
National Examination Council (NECO) has said that no fewer than 12,084 were caught in exam malpractice in its 2018 November/December examination.
It added that the candidates cheated more in Mathematics, English language, Biology and Economics, which are core subjects that some candidates often find difficult to pass.
The council was unhappy with the rise in the figure when compared to 4,425 cases in 2017, saying that it was a reflection of increased desperation by candidates to cut corners in the exam.
NECO’s acting Registrar, Abubakar Gana, in a statement released on Friday, revealed that a total of 59, 963 candidates registered for 28 subject in the exam. 57,842, according to him, sat for English language out of which 44, 497 candidates (76.93%) got either distinction or credit.
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Also, 57, 275 candidates sat for Mathematics, out of which 47, 151 candidates (82.32%) got either distinction or credit.
Additionally, 37, 069 candidates (62.48%) got five credits and above, including English and Maths, while 47,031 candidates (79.27%) got five credits and above irrespective of English and Maths.
He said the comparative analysis of candidates that scored five credits and above, including English and Maths for 2017 and 2018 exams showed 56.79 percent in 2017 and 62.48 percent in 2018, an obvious increase of 5.69 percent in 2018.
He thus reminded the candidates that result checker cards are no longer useful in checking results.
