An Evaluation of the Challenges Encountered in the First General Computer Based Test in Nigeria

The study sought to empirically document the challenges encountered in the 2015 JAMB (Joint Admission and Matriculation Board)/UTME (Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination) first general Computer Based Test (CBT). The study participants comprised 278 students of Gombe State University, School of Basic and Remedial Studies and the Federal College of Education (Tech.), Gombe Pre-Nigeria Certificate in Education programme that sat for the 2015 JAMB/UTME CBT. An instrument called Computer Based Test Challenges Questionnaire (CBT-CQ) was developed by the researcher and used for the collection of data. The results indicate that 54% of the candidates of the 2015 JAMB/UTME in Gombe State were not familiar with computer usage prior to the CBT. As much as 47.2% of the candidates did not receive training about CBT prior to the examination. The major challenges encountered by the candidates of the 2015 JAMB/UTME were that: 1) the test did not start on time, 2) erratic internet networks during the examination, 3) incidents of power failure during the examination, and 4) unfavourable conditions of examination centers. The study recommends that appropriate measures should be taken by concerned stakeholders to find out means of eliminating and reducing the reoccurrence of such challenges in subsequent CBT