The Public Relations Officer of the Board, Mr Fabian
Benjamin, said this in a telephone interview with the
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
Benjamin told NAN that of the figure, 90.000
candidates would be tested with the newly introduced
Computer Based Test (CBT) and Dual Based Test
(DBT).
He said that already, the board had put in place
strategies that would ensure a hitch free examination
across the 3,000 centres nationwide.
According to him, the sale of forms is expected to end
on Friday March 15, while the website used for the sale
will be closed on March 24.
"We have concluded arrangements for the takeoff of
the 2013 UTME examination which will commence on
April 27, for candidates for the Pencil Paper Test
(PPT).
"We are currently trying to adjust the examination
date for the Computer Based Test (CBT) and Dual
Based Test (DBT) candidates because the date
coincides with the 2013 May/June WAEC and NECO
examination dates.
"I cannot say precisely when it will take place for now
until we are through with the adjustment so that it
does not cause any clash for the candidates but as
soon as this is achieved, we shall communicate to all
those concerned," he said.
He said that the number of candidates that had so far
applied for this year's examination was higher than
that of 2012 which, according to him, was put at 1.4
million nationwide.
Benjamin told NAN that the board was looking
forward to a hitch-free examination with an almost
zero level of examination malpractice in view of the
logistics that would be deployed.
"We have written to the Nigeria Security and Civil
Defence Corps, applying for a deployment of their men
for the examination.
`We are looking forward to having at least two of
these security officers in each of the centres
nationwide, to ensure a peaceful and hitch-free
examination," Benjamin said.
The PRO noted that with the introduction of the CBT,
there would be no incidence of examination
malpractice or rowdiness which characterised
previous examinations.
According to him, candidates sitting for the CBT will
have their results promptly released to them after the
examination.
"With the introduction of the CBT, there will be no
incidence of examination malpractice, impersonation
and rowdiness that is usually the case with the PPT
mode.
Writing the examination through the CBT is as
easy as using one's phone."
