The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) pre-test for all shortlisted Inspectorate and Customs Assistant Cadre applicants comes to an end today, Monday, October 6, 2025, by 11:00 pm.
The online assessment, which began on Saturday, October 4, 2025, has seen candidates across the country participate from different regions. While the test has not been perfect, there are lessons to learn ahead of the main Computer-Based Test (CBT) that will follow. The main exam link, according to officials, will be sent to candidates and uploaded to their dashboards soon.
Nigeriastartupact.ng notes that although there were fewer complaints compared to the Superintendent Cadre exam, many candidates still reported the common issue: “Network error: Unable to connect to server. Please check your internet connection.” Some applicants even took to social media and our platform to express frustration about the network disruptions.
From past experience during the Superintendent exam, candidates are advised to prepare well and plan their schedules. It is particularly important for working applicants to take a day off during the main test. Losing one’s job over an exam that only selects 3,927 out of 286,697 applicants is not worth it.
During the last exercise, there were several changes in schedule. For instance, Batches B and C were shifted to 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM from their original times. The delay was due to heavy online traffic and server glitches as thousands of candidates tried to access the platform simultaneously. Some were even automatically disqualified after the system detected violations of exam rules.
Candidates are urged to follow all examination guidelines. They must read every instruction carefully before starting. Timing begins immediately after verification and commencement. A stable and fast internet connection is essential to avoid disconnection. Laptops or desktops are the only accepted devices; mobile phones are not allowed.
Participants must ensure their camera and microphone are functional and keep their devices fully charged or plugged in. Many candidates were logged out in the last test due to sudden shutdowns. The NCS also warns that candidates should stay in a well-lit, quiet environment, as both sound and motion are being monitored.
Faces must remain visible throughout the test. Any detection of a different face will result in automatic logout. Candidates on Level 08 and above may have additional stages after this phase. Once all questions are completed, applicants should click “Submit.”
The main exam, which is the second CBT link, is expected to begin two days after the pre-test, meaning Thursday, October 9, 2025. However, the CBT links could be released as early as Wednesday if Customs decides to move ahead of schedule.