The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is planning to introduce an automated system that will prevent candidates from choosing incorrect subject combinations for their preferred courses ahead of the 2027 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The system, alongside a proposed pre-registration mobile application, is part of measures to improve candidates’ registration experience and strengthen the credibility of the examination.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina, disclosed the plans in Abuja on Saturday after a five-kilometre walk organised for the board’s staff as part of preparations for the 2027 UTME.
Start tomorrow informed
Save your place for the morning brief. We’ll start emailing when delivery goes live.
Free. Confirm by email. Unsubscribe anytime.
Aina said the pre-registration application would allow candidates to begin the process from home by retrieving their personal information from the National Identity Management Commission, completing their biodata and selecting their preferred subjects, courses and institutions before visiting registration centres.
The application would also provide information on previous admission requirements and entry marks to help candidates make informed choices based on their academic qualifications.
“There are a lot of innovations that are coming up. Now we are rolling out what we are calling a pre-registration application,” he said.
The registrar explained that the technology would also identify inappropriate subject combinations and prevent candidates from completing their applications until they selected the correct subjects.
“Before now, you could potentially make wrong subject choices for the course you intend to do. We are going to make that technically impossible,” he said.
On examination security, Aina said the board would strengthen biometric verification at examination centres to prevent impersonation and other forms of malpractice.
He explained that the board had introduced some concessions to make it easier for candidates to correct their biodata but would compensate for the flexibility with stricter identity checks during the examination.
“We have given up some ground and made some concessions to reduce trauma for the candidates in terms of being able to change their biodata and things like that.
“In exchange for that, we will be applying enhanced checks at the point of the examination to make sure that we protect the integrity of the system,” he said.
Aina also announced plans to allow candidates to report questions they consider faulty during computer-based tests.
He said the feedback mechanism would help JAMB gather information on disputed questions, investigate complaints and ensure fair assessment.
Candidates would also be able to rate their experiences at computer-based test centres immediately after their examinations.
The registrar said the proposed ratings would strengthen accountability among private-sector operators of CBT centres and encourage them to maintain the standards required by the board.
He commended the centres for supporting the examination since JAMB introduced computer-based testing more than a decade ago, but said the board would continue to insist on quality service delivery.
The planned measures are part of JAMB’s broader preparations to improve registration, examination security and the conduct of the 2027 UTME.
Discussion0