Come To Exam Hall With Only ‘Ordinary’ HB Pencil, JAMB Tells UTME Candidates

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board(JAMB) has urged all candidates sitting for the 2024 Mock-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination(UTME) and the main examination to come to the examination hall with ‘ordinary’ HB pencil for numerical analysis if they so desire.

Recall that the Mock-UTME examination is slated for Thursday, March 7, 2024, while the actual UTME will be held from April 19 to 29, 2024.

JAMB in a statement by its spokesperson, Dr. Fabian Benjamin stated that the clarification became necessary following a series of enquiries by Nigerians.

“All candidates sitting the 2024 Mock-UTME scheduled to hold on Thursday, 7th March, 2024, are allowed to enter the examination hall with ordinary HB pencil for numerical analysis if they so desire.

“This clarification became necessary following the series of enquiries from candidates and the general public alike regarding whether HB pencils are permitted in the examination hall as a writing material.

“It should be noted that the Board had hitherto prohibited the use of pencils and other banned materials in view of the nefarious ends that these materials are put in.

“The Board has, however, okayed the use of ordinary HB pencil during the upcoming Mock-UTME and the main scheduled to commence on Friday, 19th April, 2024.

“Consequently, candidates are urged to note that they are to come with only one pencil to their respective examination centres as specified while ensuring that they are not in possession of any other prohibited items,” the statement said.