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By Tracy Moses
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on Thursday commenced the nationwide mock Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for more than 211,000 candidates across various Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres.
The mock exam is designed to help candidates familiarize themselves with the CBT format, which has been adopted by the board for several years. According to JAMB, the mock serves as both a preparatory tool for candidates and a way to assess the board’s readiness for the actual exercise.
While overseeing the mock exercise at a CBT centre in Bwari, Abuja, JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, stated that results would be made available on Friday.
“We are processing the results as candidates finish, but we want to review them across all batches to ensure everything functions smoothly. By tomorrow, the results will be released,” Oloyede assured.
He added that the mock also serves as an opportunity for the board to trial new methods aimed at enhancing the examination process.
“This is a mock exam, and it’s meant to test out some strategies. As candidates evolve, we also have to keep improving. We are implementing certain measures to ensure everything runs effectively when the main examination begins. So far, we are pleased with how things are going.”
The mock UTME is part of JAMB’s broader efforts to refine the examination experience for candidates and ensure a seamless process during the actual exams.
The Registrar, who said the only way to pass UTME is by studying hard, expressed concerns that some candidates are patronizing rogue websites in order to cheat in the exam, adding that JAMB has also opened a decoy website targeting such individuals.
“We need to let the students know that the best way to pass the examination, UTME in particular, is to study. We are aware of some rogue websites asking people to come and pay so that they can help.
“It cannot work. We have also opened our rogue website. And as of this morning, about 180 students have paid.
“So those students, because attempting to cheat is already an infraction. So those who paid into that account, looking for questions, we are going to deal firmly with them. And many of the institutions, UTME is not a school-based examination.
“We register students individually. And that is why we tell the students, do not give out) your registration number. Do not register by proxy.
“Do not give your registration number to anybody. Because some of these schools want to be able to brag that, oh, my 10 students from my school scored 280. There was a state where even the governor of the state was misinformed, and they were celebrating nothing. So, this type of thing that people want to cut corners, we are abreast of all this. And we are doing everything possible (to stop it).
“We have about 180 of them. And we are going to deal with them firmly. We are going to cancel their results, both UTME and DE,” Oloyede said.
He cautioned candidates against seeking fraudulent websites to get information, including individuals claiming to offer assistance during the examination.
“Some of them are paying N30,000 for something that will never work. And to some, when I look at those who have paid to us this money, I smile,” he added.