JAMB 2025: “JAMB Said Don’t Bring Pen, But They Didn’t Provide One to Solve Problems” — Abdulrahman Muhammad Shares Frustration

A JAMB 2025 candidate, Abdulrahman Muhammad, has expressed his frustration after facing difficulties during the examination due to the absence of a pen or biro needed to solve problems.

“JAMB said don’t bring pen/biro inside the hall, but JAMB didn’t give me biro to solve problem,” he said.

His experience sheds light on a challenge that some candidates quietly face during the UTME, especially when attempting calculation-based or rough-work questions.

The No-Pen Policy and Its Impact

JAMB has a strict policy that candidates are not allowed to bring pens, pencils, papers, or any writing materials into the exam hall to avoid malpractice.
However, the expectation is that:

• If a pen or rough sheet is needed, the exam centre should provide it for legitimate use.
• Candidates, especially those writing Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, or Accounting, sometimes need to do quick workings.

When candidates are not provided with any means to work out calculations, it can negatively affect their ability to answer questions accurately and quickly.

What Should Normally Happen

• Centres are supposed to provide on-screen calculators and sometimes small erasable boards or rough sheets if necessary.
• Where physical solving is needed, JAMB is expected to make arrangements for necessary materials.

If a candidate is denied the basic tools to solve problems, it becomes an unfair disadvantage.

Advice for Abdulrahman and Other Candidates

• Immediately report the situation at the centre to the supervisor or through JAMB’s official complaint channels.
• Stay calm and do the best you can with mental calculations if nothing is provided.
• After the exam, send a formal complaint to JAMB’s support email explaining the exact challenge.

Final Words

Abdulrahman’s frustration is understandable because no candidate should be made to struggle unnecessarily during an important exam.
We hope JAMB will continue to review its policies and ensure that every candidate is given a fair opportunity to succeed without technical or material disadvantages.

Stay strong, Abdulrahman — you did your best, and that effort matters.