By Felix Khanoba
The 2020 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) commenced on Saturday in about 700 Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres spread across the country, with some candidates expressing hope of passing the exam with flying colours.
The year’s UTME, which is being conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for over 1.9 million candidates, will run in batches till 4 April, 2020.
When The AUTHORITY visited some of the CBT centres in Abuja on Saturday, the exam was observed going on smoothly after minor hitches recorded were resolved.
In one of the centres located in the heart of Abuja’s city, the Global Distance Learning Institute, close to the Federal Ministry of Finance, it was observed that the UTME did not start at the stipulated 7: 00am but 8:00 am as a result of seeming delay in biometric verification of candidates.
Similar development in not starting the exam on time was also recorded at the Adeola School CBT Centre, Kubwa and another centre in Dutse, Abuja, with some parents expressing concern that the delay might take a toll on their children performance in the exam.
While officials of JAMB who were fully on ground to ensure the seamless conduct of the exam declined to speak on the exercise, some of the candidates expressed hope of recording good performance.
“I put in my best in the exam and I am expecting a very high score that will enable me get admission to the course and university of my first choice,” Sandra Obi said.
Another candidate, who simply identified himself as John, said despite the delay in gaining access to the examination hall, he was able to sit and attempt all the questions in the subjects registered for exam.
“If things go as I expected, I know this will be the last JAMB that I will write,” he said.
