JAMB Computer Based Test in 2013: Stakeholders react

After the official nnouncement last week Thursday at Abuja by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Executive Registrar, Professor Dibu Ojerinde and Minister of Education, Professor Ruqayyatu Rufa’i, that from 2013, Computer- Based Test (CBT), will be used to conduct UTME, had since received reactions from stakeholders in the sector.

Computer-based test is the taking of a test on computer instead of on paper. The transition to computer-based test is an important investment in the future of its certification programmes. Experts have said that CBT among other benefits, will enhance fair and precise evaluation of a candidate’s competency, rapid turnaround of exam results, more choices as to when and where to take the exam, easier registration and fortified examination security.

While the UTME candidates are expected to experiment usage of CBT next year, Rufai disclosed that the National Examination Council (NECO) and West African Examination Council (WAEC) candidates are to prepare ahead of 2015 when it will be in full operation.

According to her, one of the objectives of the e-testing was to ensure 100 per cent elimination of all forms of examination malpractice that had been the major challenge in the conduct of public examinations in the country.

Speaking with Vanguard Learning on the issue, the Vice-Chancellor, Bells University, Ota, Professor Adeyemi Isaac noted that the introduction of CBT for examinations is a welcome development in the education sector, adding, “We are in the era of technology where students are expected to be information communication technology-compliant.”

He, however, stated that there are some questions begging for answers if we are to operate computer-based test. “Do we have what it takes nationwide to operate it across board, or do we have to experiment it with selected few in some states?”


Education minister, Ruqayyatu Rufai
According to Adeyemi, to operate such a capital project which has national spread, constant electricity supply must be put in place, unless, there is an alternative means of getting it done.

Moreover, he urged the Minister of Education to bridge  computer literacy gap  between students in the village and city, adding that many students in public schools are not computer literate because they are not exposed to the use of computer. “How many of those students can access the computer? Even when they are taught theory in class, how many of them have computer for practice,” he asked.

Asked if the computer-based test will be 100 per cent free from examination malpractice as stated by the Minister of Education, Professor Ruqayyatu Rufai, he debunked the claim of total freedom from examination malpractice, stressing that corrupt data-base contractors could be bought over by unscrupulous students who are desperate to pass their examinations.

Source:Vanguard