The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has recently intensified efforts to clamp down on exam malpractice. In 2024, the Council took bold steps against several schools involved in organized cheating. These actions included the cancellation of results, blacklisting of implicated schools as exam centres, and even banning of supervisors and teachers found to be complicit. Such measures serve as a stern warning that the era of impunity is over, and any student or institution caught in malpractice will be held accountable.

The consequences of being caught in exam malpractice are severe. WAEC can cancel a student’s paper or the entire results, deny the candidate the opportunity to write future exams for a number of years, and inform tertiary institutions or scholarship bodies of the misconduct. Worse still, if a student’s school is found guilty of widespread cheating, the whole class may suffer, regardless of whether every student participated or not. This highlights the danger of being in the wrong environment or failing to report malpractice when one sees it happening.

Students who engage in malpractice often do so out of fear — fear of failure, fear of disappointing their families, or fear of not getting into their dream school. However, these fears can and should be addressed through healthy, honest alternatives. Preparing early, creating a personal study timetable, using past questions for practice, participating in group studies, and seeking help from teachers when necessary are all strategies that yield far better and more lasting results than cheating. Getting enough rest, eating well before exams, and maintaining a positive mindset can also boost performance without the need for shortcuts.

It is important for students to understand that they have a choice. Choosing integrity over dishonesty may seem difficult in the moment, but it builds confidence, character, and self-respect. Students should also feel empowered to discourage peers from cheating and report any suspicious behaviour that could jeopardize their hard work. By doing so, they become part of a generation that values merit and fairness above all else.

In conclusion, exam malpractice might offer temporary relief from anxiety, but it often leads to permanent regret. With WAEC actively rooting out dishonest practices, students have every reason to avoid this path. More importantly, genuine success comes not from stolen answers, but from honest effort, determination, and preparation. By choosing to do the right thing, students not only secure their future but also contribute to a better, more trustworthy educational system. Real success is earned — not stolen.