Mock UTME: Lagos candidates narrate experiences

Candidates shared their experiences on the Mock Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) on Thursday as it took place in 84 centres across the state.

The candidates spoke in separate interviews with our reporter at various centres across the state.

The mock exercise is normally organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) as a test-run, to enable some candidates to get acquainted with the system ahead of the main examination.

JAMB Registrar, Prof Ishaq Oloyede, who monitored the examination in Abuja, had told newsmen that no fewer than 260,000 candidates sat for the mock UTME across 793 Computer Based Test centres nationwide.

They are part of no fewer than the 1.9 million that registered for the main UTME, scheduled for April 19 to April 29.

In Lagos, our correspondent who visited the Lagos State University (LASU) CBT centre reports that the first batch of candidates for the examination came in at 7 a.m. while the second started at 10 a.m., after verification.

Candidates were restricted from going into the hall with prohibited materials, such as smart watches, pens, mobile phones, calculators among others.

Miss Bukola Ojo, one of the candidate, said that she seized the opportunity of the mock examination to set a benchmark for herself.

She said it was an opportunity to get acquainted with the process, using the computer.

Mr Francis Okoye, another candidate at the centre, said that the examination went well.

He, however, said he observed that they were exposed to questions from a novel different from the recommended one by JAMB in a subject.

Miss Toluwalase Onakoya told our reporter at the WAEC Test and Training Centre (WTTC), Ogba, that the examination was her second attempt.

“I must commend the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for even coming up with the concept of ‘Mock’ before the main examination.

“This gives candidates the opportunity to test their level of preparedness, especially in this era of technology that could contribute to a lot of distractions, especially among young people.

“This is not my first time of writing. I wrote before, passed the main JAMB, but could not meet the cut off mark of the post UTME of my university of choice.

“Today’s process was seamless, hitch-free, as the centre’s facilities are top notch,” she said.

She said that she wrote and finished on time, because she had prepared well, attended classes back to back and attended computer training religiously.

Another candidate, Ajiboye Tobi, also described the process at the WTTC as an experience worth the while.

“This is my first attempt. I am still in school. The entire process was very exciting for me because it was like operating my handset or even playing a computer game. There was nothing strange about the examination,” he told our reporter.

Joy Osagwu and Amuda Bilal both expressed satisfaction at the seamless conduct of the examination, while hoping that the same would apply during the main examination.

Other centres monitored were the Wisdom House CBT Centre in Yaya Abatan, Ogba and the TimeOn Kairos Polytechnic, Lagos-Abeokuta Expy, Abule Egba.

Meanwhile, the centre manager of the WTTC in Ogba told NAN that they were always ready to conduct any form of CBT examination, even at the slightest notice.

Mr Babafunso Ajayi, centre manager of the Wisdom House, lauded JAMB for the machinery put in place for the conduct of this year’s mock examination.

“Whatever it has done to ensure this free flow of mock examination that we have experienced today, should also be applied during the main examination in April.

“I am personally happy with the performance of JAMB,” he said

Mr Billiaminu Shittu, JAMB’s Coordinator in Lagos, told our reporter that a total of 84 centres were used for the examination across the state.

“It has been a huge success for us and we are indeed happy that it was well planned and without issues,” he said.