The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Computer-based test

  • UTME 2018: JAMB vows to fight malpractice, cautions against fraudsters

    UTME 2018: JAMB vows to fight malpractice, cautions against fraudsters

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) said on Wednesday that measures had been put in place to fight all forms of examination malpractice in its 2018 examinations scheduled to commence on Friday, March 9.

    The Registrar of the Board, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, disclosed this to newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja.

    According to him, all hands are on deck to ensure a smooth exercise in its 605 centres across the country.

    He said that the board would not hesitate to bring to book, anyone found wanting during the exercise.

    “We are pleased to announce to the public that we are fully ready to commence the 2018 examinations.

    “Through research, we have discovered a number of items that aid examination malpractice.

    “The board has looked into the possibility of these items being used in its examinations and have included them on our list of items banned from the venue of examination.

    “These include: watches, cameras, recorders, calculators, microphones, spy glasses, cell phones, ear-piece, ink/pen readers, smart lenses, smart rings/jewelries, smart-buttons, Bluetooth devices and storage devices among others.

    “Consequently, all officials, Computer-Based Test (CBT) owners and candidates are hereby warned not to bring any of the above banned items into the examination venues as ignorance will not be taken as a defence.

    “Any official, CBT operator or candidate caught will be handed over to security agencies for appropriate sanctions.

    “Candidates can only bring pencil that is allowed.’’

    Oloyede said that unlike the 2017 exercise, the Board would not release the results of the 2018 examinations immediately until after two to three days.

    This, he said, was not because the board was incapable of releasing the results immediately but because the results must undergo review and total scrutiny to avoid multiple cancellations of candidates’ results.

    The registrar urged candidates to shun lateness and adhere strictly to the regulations of the exercise, adding that the board would not reschedule the examination for anyone who missed the exercise.

    “Candidates are expected to have printed their e-slips from Tuesday, March 6.

    “The e-slip contains a number of information which includes their examination town, centre, date and time allocated to each candidate.

    “Candidates are urged to note that there shall be no rescheduling of any examination; they are to adhere strictly to the date and time allocated to them for the examination.

    “Any candidate who fails to turn up on schedule for his or her examination automatically misses the examination,’’ Oloyede said.

    He decried the incessant cases of candidates who are defrauded by syndicates.

    According to him, the worrisome situation has forced the board not to take lightly anyone caught trying to sabotage the system.

    “Some of them ask candidates to send recharge cards worth N4, 000 to N6, 000 to them for access to questions relating to the examinations; this is fraudulent.

    “I must say also no centre is allowed to collect any amount of money from candidates under any guise because the candidates have paid us already and we have paid the centres for these exercise.

    “We call on all of you to be on the watch and to never hesitate to call on us where such information is made available to you.

    “Our utmost ambition is to sanitise the system from any infraction and we will not hesitate to deal decisively with anybody trying to cheat the candidates or the system,’’ the registrar said.

    He stressed that the JAMB would continue to keep pace with the fast-paced changes in technology and candidates behaviour by either innovating new solutions or improving existing capacity.

    This, Oloyede explained, was in order to sustain the board’s credibility, adding that it was important to continue to find ways to address “the many inventions of candidates who are determined to circumvent the system.”

    Oloyede said that new processes had been introduced by JAMB not only to curb malpractices but to also improve the efficiency of its services to the public. (NAN)

  • Lagos begins CBT entrance examination

    Lagos begins CBT entrance examination

    The Lagos State Government Wednesday commenced its Computer Based Test (CBT) for admission into its junior model colleges/upgraded schools.

    The three-day examination with a total of 79 candidates is been done at the state Examination Board, Iyana Ipaja.

    The examination which is designed into two versions will hold the Paper and Pencil Test (PPT) on Saturday, 3rd of June at 39 designated centers across the state.

    Speaking at the centre, the Director of the Board, Mr. Oluwafemi Hassan said over 10,000 pupils registered for the examination, out of which 79 pupils opted for CBT.

    He said the results are produced immediately when the candidates are done and sent via text message to their parents.

    He noted that since the inception of CTB in 2015, the turnout of pupils is increasing yearly.

    “In 2015 we started with 17, in 2016 we had 54 candidates and this year we have 79 candidates that subscribed for it. Since the administration of the Governor Akinwumi Ambode, the scope has expanded.

    “Unlike other years it was done once but this year we are using three days because the coast is expanding. Before 2018, the government has the plan to take the exam to five division of the state so that every candidate can sit for the test in his or her centre. The world is a global village and Nigeria needs not to be left out, that is why Lagos has adopted this method of examination” he said.

    For a hitch-free examination, he explained the government has procured more computers, air-conditioned the centre and has earlier made a lot of sensitization on the use of the computers, also each of the candidates were given a CD to train them at their various homes on how to use the computer, added that the exam has been structured  to suit the age bracket of the pupils.

    Hassan noted that Lagos is the only state in the country that has adopted the use of CBT for primary six pupils and is committed to moving the state forward and setting the pace for other states.

    Candidates expressed their satisfaction Goodluck fagbai said “i prefer the CBT because it easier and faster. It saves time because the questions are already typed and all I need to do is to choose the correct answers. I thank the Lagos State Governor for introducing this CBT and it should be continued.

    “I am used to computer and I practice it at home, so I am well set for the examination. It should be adopted by other states” said Ademola Harris.

  • JAMB: we only modified Computer-Based Test for UTME

    JAMB: we only modified Computer-Based Test for UTME

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board said yesterday it had not dumped the use of Computer Based-Test mode for its Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

    The agency, in a statement yesterday by its spokesperson, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, in Abuja, said the clarification became necessary  following a report that JAMB had dumped the use of CBT for eight keys.

    The statement reads: “The headline was not only misleading, but capable of causing panic, distortion and confusion in the minds of Nigerians, particularly the candidates planning to take the UTME examination of a well-conceived CBT examination, which the Board was consolidating on the gains and feat recorded.

    “This report was disturbing because more than 10 other journalists were there at the retreat, where the eight keys intended to make the navigation of the examination easy and friendly for first time user of computer or any electronic device was restated.

    “In our attempt to make CBT friendly,  the board introduced the use of 8 keys without a mouse . This we have explained to Nigerians and all stakeholders at the board’s strategic planning retreat on supervision and evaluation of the conduct of the 2017 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination ( UTME ) in Kaduna,  where we had the privilege of having over a hundred distinguished scholars from the academia, civil society and other critical stakeholders.

    “At the meeting, the JAMB Registrar restated the board’s determination to continue to innovate on policies that will ease the phobia for computer-based test. One of which is the introduction of the use of 8 keys without a mouse.

    “We see this  embarrassing caption as one of those things that happened in every human endeavour. The question we are asking is on what platform will the 8 keys be placed?

    “In view of this, we call on all Nigerians to disregard this  report and to appeal to all stakeholders to continue to support our drive towards excellence.”

  • JAMB dumps Computer-Based Test for ‘eight-key device’

    JAMB dumps Computer-Based Test for ‘eight-key device’

    •Board to establish centres for blind candidates
    •300,000 to sit for mock exams on April 8

    THE Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced its resolve to abolish Computer Based Test (CBT) method for Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) due to low computer literacy level of candidates.

    It has also, in collaboration with a private institute, resolved to set up dedicated UTME centres for visually impaired candidates in Abuja, Lagos and Kano in 2018.

    Registrar of the board, Prof. Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede, who said this in Kaduna yesterday, however, said the board would not revert to the old paper and pencil mode, but an “eight-key device”.

    He spoke at the opening of Strategic Planning Retreat on Monitoring and Supervision of 2017 UTME at Arewa House in Kaduna.

    Oloyede said the device would eradicate the challenge of low computer literacy and phobia for mouse by some candidates.

    He said: “From the general feedback on the adoption of the Computer-Based Test mode, we have noted the challenge of computer low level literacy of some candidates, especially with the phobia for the mouse. This has been responsible partly for the call by some people for reversal to the Paper and Pencil Test mode.

    “To ensure equity and level playground for all candidates taking Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, the board has designed a system that will allow candidates use only eight keys without the use of mouse.  All the candidates need to do is to press the letters A, B, C, D for responses to questions and keys: P, N, S and R representing; previous question, next question, submit and reverse, respectively.”

    On the new arrangements for the visually impaired candidates, the JAMB Registrar said Digital Bridge Institute in partnership with the board has agreed to set up three dedicated centres in Abuja, Lagos and Kano in 2018.

    He added that the board would support the centres with necessary inputs.

    Ahead of 2018, when the project of dedicated centres will come to fruition, the board has reached an understanding with the association for the blind persons in Nigeria and blind students in Lagos that an abridged approach would be used for the 2017 UTME, whereby all prospective blind candidates would be invited to three centres in the country for special assessment in their subjects of choice and relevance to their desired courses and programmes.

    Oloyede while addressing the participants, most of whom are external supervisors and other stakeholders drawn from various tertiary institutions and education sector, said concerned stakeholders must take UTME as their own and make it a project.

    He noted that the conduct of the board’s examination, which is a selection examination, is the foundation of quality education.

    Oloyede, therefore, advised stakeholders to see their involvement in UTME as a call to national duty and personal sacrifice.

    The registrar said the agency may reduce the timeline for the UTME from three hours to two hours.

    He added that the question papers will be uploaded five minutes to the examinations to check malpractice.

    He said: “As for the 2017 UTME, it is likely we reduce the duration of the examinations. We are looking at two hours for the examinations instead of the present three-hour timeline. This is in line with international best practices.

    “As for the candidates, for their age, the maximum time they can sit for examinations is two hours. Even in terms of international standard, for primary school pupils, the maximum time for examinations is between 45minutes and one hour.”

    He confirmed that about 300,000 candidates might sit for the mock UTME examinations on April 8, which will be used to test-run its new technology to make its examinations easier for students.

  • Reps to FG: Direct JAMB to suspend Computer- based Exams

    Reps to FG: Direct JAMB to suspend Computer- based Exams

    The House of Representatives on Thursday urged the Federal Government to direct Joint Admissions Matriculation Board (JAMB) to suspend the computer based 2016 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination test.

    The decision of the House was sequel to the adoption the prayers of a motion brought under matters of urgent public importance by a member, Hon. Oghene Egoh (PDP-Lagos).

    The lawmaker while moving the motion said there was need for JAMB to revert to the paper examination until the board was ready to conduct a hitch-free Computer Based Test (CBT).

    According to him, over a million candidates who sat for the computer based UTME recorded various degrees of technical hitches.

    The technical hitches, he said, jeopardised the candidates’ chances of gaining admission into the universities.

    His words: “Already serious admission problem is rocking the nation because already JAMB receives huge allocation from Federal Government every year.

    “Yet they charge candidates all manner of fees and majority of the children do not gain admission either because of the technical hitches of the CBT or the post UTME introduced by various tertiary institutions,” Egor said.

    Egoh said that while some candidates are getting conflicting scores in the ongoing exercise, others are complaining of malfunctioning computers.

    He said: “There were instances of double-option answers, computers were malfunctioning and suddenly short down causing absurdity that place some candidates in disadvantaged position.”

    Aishatu Dukku (APC-Gombe) opined that JAMB was not ready for the computer based option, adding that JAMB should “make it optional for students on whether to use computer based or pen and paper.”

    But a member, Mohammed Zakari (APC-Kwara) said students in diaspora who are participating in the examination should be considered.

    According to him, the computer based option would enable students abroad to participate in the examination.

    Speaker Yakubu Dogara, in his ruling mandated the House Committee on Education to liaise with Federal Ministry of Education to ensure compliance and report back to the House within one week.

  • Photo: Ajimobi commissions computer based test in UI

    Photo: Ajimobi commissions computer based test in UI

    PIC M (1)

  • Pains, gains of Post-UTME

    Pains, gains of Post-UTME

    The Federal University of Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) has conducted its third post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). No fewer than 40,000 candidates took the exam. OLATUNJI AWE (300-Level Political Science, Ekiti State University) and FRANCIS OLOWOLAFE (200-Level Theatre and Media Arts, FUOYE) report.

    The quiet town of Oye-Ekiti in Ekiti State came alive recently. No fewer than 40,000 candidates swarmed the town to write the entrance examination of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), one of the seven universities established by the government two years ago.

    The post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) was the third the university would be conducting since its establishment. The exam, which was held for eight days, was a Computer-Based Test (CBT) for all applicants, who scored not less than 180 in UTME. The institution’s management showed its magnanimity by extending invitation to applicants, who did not choose the school as their first or second choice.

    The university, which has campuses in Oye and Ikole-Ekiti, chose Oye as the centre for the exercise held in its Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centre. The centre hosts over 700 computers. The examination was held in batches.

    The exercise took many applicants by surprise. Many candidates complained that they did not see the timetable to know when to write the test. Others said the test did not go according to the timetable released by the school.

    CAMPUSLIFE gathered that candidates who had issues with the timetable were those who filled in for English and Literary Studies.

    Adeola Adeleke, a candidate, said: “I never knew they were going to start the examination as it was stated on the timetable. But, thank God I was not late for the test.”

    The candidates, before going into the examination centre, had their documents checked to prevent impersonation and to bar candidates that scored below 180 from participating in the exercise.

    Policemen and officers of the Civil Defence Corps were on ground to ensure security and maintain law and order.

    The exercise was not without hiccups as some candidates complained of their inability to upload their thumb print during the registration, a development that made many to go to the school days before the exercise.

    Adenike Olanrewaju said: “I had to travel to this place from Lagos because of this problem. This gave me the opportunity to participate in the CBT training class. I was able to rectify it before the test.”

    The post-UTME also boosted business activities in Oye. Residents made good sales, servicing the applicants in various ways. A food vendor, who identified herself as Iya Ibeji, said she has the greatest sale period whenever the university held its post-UTME because of the large number of people who patronise her cafeteria.

    On the number of applicants, Omobola Omoboriowo, 200-Level Theatr Arts, said: “This is good news for the university. If 10 per cent of them can be admitted, it will increase the number of students on campus and Oye Town will be livelier.”

    Another student, who did not say his name, said: “Even if not many of the candidates are admitted, the fact remains that facilities in the school are not enough. This is the area the management needs to look into.”

    Mariam Olowoporoku, a candidate, said: “After I saw the facilities on the campus, I don’t think I want to come here anymore, because the school lacks enough lecture rooms. I used the test to practise so that I can perform when I go to write post-UTME in institutions I chose as first and second choice.”

    The chief examiner and the Dean of Social Science, Prof Rasaki Ojo, said the exercise was successful. “We were able to manage the crowd of applicants that came for the test. We also took a step further by making sure we solved cases of candidates that had problem with online registration. This made it easy for many of them,” he said.

    On the hiccups experienced by applicants, the Dean said no invention was totally reliable, saying: “We have one or two hitches with the computers, which we hope to work on next time. But on the whole, I would score my team excellence considering the serenity and excellent nature the examination was conducted.”

    A staff, who worked with the security department, said: “It was not easy to organise such exercise but it came out to be successful.”

  • UTME candidates to write computer- based test

    UTME candidates to write computer- based test

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on Thursday launched Computer Based Testing (CBT) for candidates sitting for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME).

    Launching the new initiative in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’i, said it was one of the transformative efforts of the government toward revamping the education sector.

    “There are two major objectives of this initiative. First, it is aimed at advancing the nation technologically and the second and the more important goal is to reduce or completely eliminate exam malpractice,” the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the minister as saying at the launching.

    She said it was a gradual introduction as candidates had two options where they could choose between the CBT, Paper-Pencil Test (PPT) and Dual Computer-Paper Test (DCPT).

    The minister said the new system offered candidates the opportunity to get immediate feedback, get more secured and fair results in line with global best practice.

    She said the other two options, PPT and DCPT, would be open from 2013 to 2015 by the end of which it was expected that all candidates for UTME would be computer literate.

    Prof. Rufa’i said that only purely computer based examinations would be taken by JAMB candidates and expressed the hope that other examination bodies would toe the line of JAMB.

    Announcing the plans, JAMB Registrar, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, said a mass campaign had been lined up to enable stakeholders to understand the advantages of using the system.

    Ojerinde said CBT was conceived out of necessity to address issues that had continued to affect the successful conduct of examinations.