JAMB 2018 UTME Experience.
The Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) has finally commenced the Computer Based Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) today, Friday 9th March 2018.
As this year’s edition of the examination is currently ongoing, the exam body advised candidates that there would be a delay in releasing their results to ensure the score data are collated correctly.
Recall that for the smooth running of the exam, JAMB developed a software, that performs core operational services like checking of candidates’ result, retrieval of registration number, result verification, checking of admission status and centre location.
They also made special arrangements for the visually impaired candidates, with the introduction of Braille technology for the blind.
Another innovation introduced by the board is the Anti-guessing software, called Item Response Theory, which will reduce the tendency for candidates to guess accurately during the examination.
Here is what candidates that participated in the examination so far has to say;
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Some of the candidates who spoke to reporters said the exams was well organised and they preferred it to the paper and pencil type of examinations.
A candidate, Adeniran Rafiat, said “I wasn’t too familiar with the computer but had to go learn how to use it and also bought the CBT practice disc which really helped me during the exams.
“The exams was without hitches though there were few cases of some candidates who were not familiar with the computer who mistakenly submitted their scripts without answering any question.”
Sayidat Olajide also bought the CBT practice disc and had to learn how to operate the computer to enable her take part in the exams.
For Kehinde Nafisat, though the paper and pencil exams was a more preferred option because she isn’t too familiar with the computer, but the exams was okay as she prepared well for it.
Though Olatemiotan Timileyin and Lanre Tijani were logged off before the expiration of their time, they said the exams was well organised, was fairly easy and didn’t give room for exam malpractice as biometrics were carried out on the candidates before and after the exams.
According to another candidate, Chidinma Ukegbu, although the system is faster, there is need for improvement in subsequent examinations.
“The new system is faster and effective for anybody who is conversant with computer. Any candidate, who knows what he is doing can finish the examination on time and expect the results within 24 hours. But there is the need to improve on the Internet provision.” she stated.
A candidate who doesn’t want his name mentioned said that he regrets not reading the recommended text “In Dependence” as few questions came out from it.
He however expressed confidence that he will scale through because he prepared for the examination very well with past questions which helped him a lot.
Many of the candidates are complaining that they experienced technical hitches at the beginning of the test.
For instance, Master Benedict Ameh, who sat for the examination at the Bafuto Computer and Secretarial School, Egbe, attributed the initial delay to a technical hitch.
The candidate, however said that he was conversant with desktop operations and noted that he found the whole exercise interesting.
Another candidate, Miss Chinasa Egbuebe, linked the delay to a system failure. At the Chams City, Ikeja, the examination also did not start by 8am.
Happiness Ele, whose centre was at Federal Government College of Education, Omoku, said she had not been able to write the examination for two days since she had been going to the school to wait her turn because the computers were insufficient.
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Despite the hitches in some centres, some others were relatively problem free. In such centres, the candidates were happy and noted they preferred CBT mode.
Nosike Oscar, who wrote in Abuja, said the CBT eliminates examination malpractice, which was the bane of the PPT.
Another candidate, Faith Oluwamuyiwa, said it reduces stress and the timing was perfect.
JAMB can take courage in success reports from other UTME centres in Lagos, including the University of Lagos, Federal College of Education Technical (FCE-T), Akoka, and Digital Bridge Institute, Cappa, Oshodi, where the process was smooth and successful.
At UNILAG, the candidates took their test in due time and with minimal technical challenges.
Deborah Bello, Jessica Chijioke and Ayinde Rashidat, gave similar testimonies of the computers and server at their centres being in perfect condition, hence, they started and finished their examinations with no disruption.
In Abuja metropolis, there were six centres and two others located on the outskirt. Some of these centres are accredited ICT-oriented organization like Chams City at Garki, Digital Bridge at Utako, Global Learning at Central Area, NEEDS, Anglican, and then the centres at Bwari and Gwagwalada outskirts.
