UTME: JAMB bans 19 items during examination

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has listed at least 19 items which it said remained prohibited for the over 1 . 8 million candidates taking the 2019 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination .
The board said in its weekly bulletin obtained by our correspondent on Monday that the items were prohibited during its examinations , warning that candidates who breached the directive would be disallowed from taking the UTME .

The board said , “ To ensure that our examinations meet best global practices, the board has prohibited the use of the following items during its exams . They are watches , pens or biros, mobile phones or similar electronic devices, spy reading glasses , calculators, hard disks or similar storage devices , books or any reading material , cameras , recorders and microphones.

“ Others are ear pieces , ink or pen readers , smart lenses , smart rings or jewellery, smart buttons, bluetooth devices , key holders , erasers and Automated Teller Machine cards. ”

JAMB noted that it would continue to strive to eliminate unwholesome practices during its examinations , which necessitated the biometric verification of candidates to curb impersonation as well as the introduction of Closed - Circuit Television cameras to its centres nationwide .

It said , “The search for a reliable assessment model after the traumatic experiences with Paper and Pencil Test hitherto used by the board led to the adoption of the Computer - Based Test . The paper format was jettisoned because it was characterised by different forms of examination malpractices .

“ We believe that by offering highly competitive method electronically at approved testing centres , candidates and other stakeholders would continue to benefit from increased access and flexibility for immediate grading among other benefits. The CBT being administered by the board is a dynamic and individualised assessment tool designed in line with global best practices. ”

JAMB had announced March 23 as the new date for its mock examination, saying the new date for the UTME would also be announced soon , having been shifted because of the just concluded general elections .