As candidates prepare for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), concerns continue to grow about the limitations of the calculator provided during JAMB’s Computer-Based Test (CBT).
One candidate, Princess, has added her voice to the calls for improvements, especially for those writing subjects like Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and related courses.
Calculator Challenges in Mock Exam
Princess explained that during the recent JAMB mock examination, she struggled with the limited calculator provided on the CBT system.
Important mathematical functions like logarithms beyond simple numbers were missing, forcing her to memorize values manually.
“I also have problems with the calculator. If the functions listed could be added, I think that would go a long way,” she said.
“I had to memorise log 1 to 10, but what if I’m faced with numbers greater than that? I really hope this is put into consideration and done.”
What Candidates Are Demanding
Many candidates, like Princess, are requesting that JAMB consider adding more scientific calculator functions to the CBT platform before the main exam begins.
These functions include:
- Logarithms for numbers beyond 1–10
- Trigonometric functions (Sin, Cos, Tan)
- Square roots and exponents
Without these features, candidates fear they may lose valuable time or struggle with questions they would ordinarily solve easily with a basic scientific calculator.
JAMB’s Current Calculator Policy
JAMB limits the calculator to prevent exam malpractice and to standardize the test environment.
However, candidates argue that improving the calculator’s capabilities would not compromise exam integrity, but rather make the exam fairer and more balanced, especially for candidates from science and technical backgrounds.
Final Word
As the main UTME 2025 is scheduled to begin on April 25, 2025, many candidates are hoping that JAMB will listen to their concerns and consider upgrading the calculator features to reduce unnecessary stress during the exam.
Have you also faced difficulties with JAMB’s exam calculator? Share your experience below. Stay tuned for more verified JAMB 2025 updates and exam tips.