The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is the organization responsible for conducting the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Nigeria. The exam is a requirement for admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria, and the scores obtained in the exam are used as a criterion for admission. One question that often comes up among students is whether JAMB repeats past questions. In this essay, we will discuss this topic in detail.
What Are Past Questions?
Past questions refer to the questions that have been asked in previous UTME exams. These questions are usually compiled into a book or a software application and sold to candidates who are preparing for the exam. Past questions are used by candidates to familiarize themselves with the exam pattern, practice answering questions, and improve their chances of success.
Does JAMB Repeat Past Questions?
The question of whether JAMB repeats past questions is a contentious one. Some people believe that JAMB repeats past questions, while others believe that JAMB does not repeat past questions.
JAMB’s Position on Past Questions:
JAMB has repeatedly stated that it does not repeat past questions. According to JAMB, the questions in the UTME are designed to test the candidate’s knowledge, and they are not meant to be memorized. JAMB also stated that it has put measures in place to ensure that the questions in the UTME are different from those in previous exams.
JAMB’s Measures to Prevent Question Repetition:
JAMB has put measures in place to prevent the repetition of questions in the UTME. These measures include:
Question Bank:
JAMB has a question bank that contains a large number of questions in each subject. The questions in the question bank are sorted by difficulty level, and they are used to generate the questions for each exam session. The question bank is updated regularly to ensure that the questions are current and relevant.
Randomization:
JAMB uses randomization to ensure that no two candidates get the same set of questions. The questions in each subject are randomized, and the order of the questions is also randomized. This ensures that the exam is fair and that no candidate has an unfair advantage.
Item Analysis:
JAMB conducts an item analysis after each exam to determine the difficulty level of each question. This analysis helps JAMB to determine the validity and reliability of the exam. If a question is found to be too difficult or too easy, it may be removed from the question bank.
Tight Security:
JAMB has tight security measures in place to prevent the leakage of exam questions. The questions are kept confidential, and only authorized personnel have access to them. Any form of malpractice or exam leakage is dealt with severely.
The Risks of Relying on Past Questions:
Despite JAMB’s position that it does not repeat past questions, some candidates still rely on past questions to prepare for the UTME. This practice carries some risks, including:
Inaccurate Preparation:
If JAMB does not repeat past questions, candidates who rely solely on past questions may be preparing inaccurately. They may be studying questions that are no longer relevant or studying questions that are not in the current question bank.
False Confidence:
Candidates who rely solely on past questions may develop false confidence, believing that they have covered all the topics they need to know. They may be unprepared for the types of questions that are in the current exam.
Cheating:
Some candidates may use past questions as a form of cheating, memorizing the answers to the questions instead of studying the material. This is a form of malpractice and is against JAMB’s rules and regulations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, JAMB has repeatedly stated that it does not repeat past questions. The questions in the UTME are designed to test the candidate’s knowledge, and they are not meant to be memorized. JAMB has put measures in place to prevent the repetition of questions in the UTME, including a question bank, randomization, item analysis, and tight security. Candidates who rely solely on past questions may be preparing inaccurately, develop false confidence, or engage in cheating. It is essential for candidates to study the material thoroughly and practice answering questions from different sources to prepare adequately for the UTME.
