We don’t select examination towns for candidates – JAMB

By Mariam Abeeb

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has denied selecting examination towns for candidates taking the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, or the Optional Mock examination.

JAMB spokesman, Fabian Benjamin, stated this in a statement, saying the clarification became necessary as 90 percent of the available spaces for the optional mock exercise across the country have been filled, leaving only a few states with available slots.

According to him, JAMB has observed unusual preferences among candidates regarding their choice of examination towns, likely in an effort to participate in the optional mock examination.

He added that the notice is aimed at advising candidates against desperately selecting examination towns, only to later accuse the Board of assigning them to examination towns that are far from their residences, towns, or states.

Benjamin further stated that the Board does not want to be overstressed, saying the mock examination was only meant to give deserving candidates the opportunity to experience the CBT environment and enable the Board to test its facilities.

He urged candidates to choose their examination towns consciously with travel logistics and convenience in mind, ensuring a smoother experience on examination day.

“The only states with remaining slots for the optional mock examination are Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, and Yobe. Candidates interested in taking the mock examination in these states are encouraged to select their examination towns accordingly.

“While candidates have the right to choose their preferred examination town, JAMB urges them to consider the implications of their choices. Some candidates may select towns that are quite distant, potentially outside their home state. The Board should not be held responsible for such decisions.

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,” he stated.