The 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) Mock, held on April 10, 2025, saw over 211,000 candidates participate across various Computer-Based Test (CBT) centers in Nigeria. This exercise, designed to test the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s (JAMB) preparedness for the main exam, revealed both the board’s advancements and the persistence of examination malpractice. JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, monitored the process at a CBT center in Bwari, Abuja, and announced that 180 candidates caught attempting to cheat would face severe penalties.
Scale and Purpose of the Mock Exam
The mock exam engaged a massive turnout of candidates, showcasing JAMB’s logistical capacity to manage large-scale assessments. Prof. Oloyede emphasized its dual role: assessing the board’s readiness and trialing new strategies to enhance the examination process. “Because we are doing certain things to ensure that those things are done,” he explained, highlighting the importance of learning from the mock to refine the main UTME, scheduled to begin on April 25, 2025. Results from the mock were set to be released on April 11, 2025, allowing for swift feedback and adjustments.
Exposing and Addressing Malpractice
A significant revelation from the exercise was the identification of 180 candidates involved in fraudulent activities. JAMB uncovered this through a decoy website designed to trap those seeking shortcuts. “We have also opened our own rogue website. And as of this morning, about 180 students have paid,” Prof. Oloyede disclosed. These candidates, lured by promises of illicit assistance, paid up to N30,000 each—funds wasted on a scheme destined to fail. “We are going to deal with them firmly. We are going to cancel their results, both UTME and DE,” he warned, underscoring JAMB’s zero-tolerance policy.
A Call for Integrity and Preparation
Prof. Oloyede urged candidates to rely on diligent study rather than deceit, stating, “The best way to pass the examination, UTME in particular, is to study.” He cautioned against rogue websites and individuals exploiting desperate students, noting, “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.” This serves as a stark reminder to the over 2 million expected UTME participants to prioritize preparation over shortcuts.
Looking Ahead to the Main Exam
With the mock concluded, JAMB aims to implement lessons learned to ensure a seamless main examination. The board’s proactive measures, including technological innovations and stringent oversight, signal a commitment to maintaining integrity.
