By Tochukwu Bliss, Abuja
Candidates sitting for this year’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), were yesterday warned against “desperately selecting examination towns.”
The warning follows the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s (JAMB) observation of “unusual preferences among candidates regarding their choice of examination towns, likely in an effort to participate in the optional mock examination.”
JAMB, in a statement yesterday by its spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, said: “This notice aims to advise candidates against desperately selecting examination towns, only to later accuse the Board of assigning them to towns far from their residences, towns, or states.”
Mr Benjamin emphasised that the Board does not select towns for candidates taking the examination or the optional mock examination, adding that 90% of the available spaces for the optional mock exercise across Nigeria had been filled, leaving only a few states with available slots.
This notice aims to advise candidates against desperately selecting examination towns, only to later accuse the Board of assigning them to towns far from their residences, towns, or states.
He clarified that “The only states with remaining slots for the optional mock examination are Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, and Yobe states.
“Candidates interested in taking the mock examination in these states are encouraged to select their examination towns accordingly.”
He also noted that although candidates have the right to choose their preferred examination towns, they must, however, consider the implications of their choices.
This is because they may select locations that are quite distant, and potentially outside their home states and the Board cannot be held responsible for such decisions.
Mr Benjamin continued: “The Board allocates mock examination spaces for candidates to select based on the availability of mock examination centres, and once a town’s capacity is reached, it will no longer be available for selection.
“The Board does not want to be overstressed, as the mock examination is only meant to give deserving candidates the opportunity to experience the CBT environment and enable the Board to test its facilities.
“Candidates are encouraged to choose their examination towns consciously with travel logistics and convenience in mind, ensuring a smoother experience on examination day.”
