The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Gave further explanation Yesterday on the Reasons why it introduced and recommended the mock examination for Unified Tertiary Matriculation Exam (UTME) candidates.
The board said it is mainly to assess the candidates’ level of preparedness and also acquaint themselves with the Computer Based Test (CBT), system before the exam proper.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, who introduced and tested the mock examination in 2017, said that candidates are expected to take advantage of the mock examination, to prepare themselves in terms of fine-tuning questions, answering strategies, time management and changing examination patterns. He said apart from standardisation, mock examination has helped candidates alleviate test anxiety as it ensures maximum comfort and minimal worry through practice.
“The more candidates sit for a practice test, the more relaxed and confident they would feel on the day of the actual exam. Additionally, practice test does not only help candidates to identify problem areas, it also reassures them of their academic progress as it erases all examination phobia,” Oloyede said. He added that JAMB views mock examination as an effective form of preparation for UTME candidates, which has the potential to take learning to greater heights, and that it also helps JAMB assess its readiness for the actual examination.