JAMB set to conduct pilot test on phone use for UTME

The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is looking to conduct a pilot test on its Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) initiative ahead of its next Unified Tertiary Matriculation Exam (UTME).

During a policy meeting in June, Ishaq Oloyede, the board’s registrar, had unveiled the BYOD inititive that allows UTME candidates to write the exam on their personal phones and tablet computers at the testing centre.

The JAMB had said it cost the board over N1.2 billion to equip a computer-based test (CBT) centre in Kaduna state alone, particularly in procuring PCs which candidates use to take the examination.

Oloyede said the proposed BYOD policy is based on the rising logistic cost of taking the UTME nationwide.

Fabian Benjamin, JAMB’s head of public affairs, spoke on the policy in the board’s weekly bulletin.

He said JAMB is looking to first conduct a pilot test before ultimately implementing the policy.

Benjamin called on all prospective candidates to prepare for the initiative which he said would reshape the e-testing landscape.

“It will save cost in terms of the humongous expenses that go into the yearly conduct of UTME as well as helping to obviate the need for constant replacement of hardware and software occasioned by wear and tear,” he added.

“Also, practising ahead with their own devices to be used for the examination will tremendously hone their computer literacy skills to perfection.

“That is not all. Taking the examination with their own devices will allay their fear of new technology.

“I, therefore, urge all prospective candidates to start practising with the devices they intend to use in the coming UTME, prior to which a pilot test will be conducted to aid the smooth implementation of the project.”