Computer based test remains only option for candidates by 2015 – JAMB Coordinator

Mr Johnson Adebiyi , the Coordinator of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in Osun, says computer based test will be the only option for candidates by 2015.
Adebiyi spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday on the level of the preparation by the board for the forthcoming Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination to hold on April 12.
He said that by virtue of the new mandate given to the board by the National Assembly, the board would conduct the 2015 UTME with no other option than the Computer Based Test (CBT).
The coordinator stressed that the greatest challenge of the Paper and Pencil Test (PPT) “is examination malpractice, which is the major advantage of the CBT coupled with its peculiar promptness.’’

He identified natural resistance to change in human as the sole rationale behind the slow pace of the acceptability of the CBT, which according to him, “is the best that has happened to the country, given its advantages in checking examination malpractice.’’
“The revolution introduced to the educational sector by JAMB in the last few years through the introduction of the CBT as an option in the UTME is indeed a move to salvage education in the country.
“The falling standard of education in the country requires urgent attention, and the most critical step to take in the quest to save the sector is to rid it of any form of sharp practice, which the CBT has put paid to.

“Also, by the introduction of CBT, candidates can be sure of getting the results of the examination immediately after the conclusion of the exercise,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, Adebiyi has reiterated the readiness of the board to conduct a hitch free examination in which candidates will be given the two options PPT and Dual Based Test (DBT).

According to him, while the PPT will be the common way of using paper and pencil for the examination, the DBT will be the combination of both PPT and CBT.
He told NAN that Osun has 16 centres for the PPT and 13 centres for the CBT, with adequate and experienced examination officials to guarantee a smooth exercise.