JAMB 2025: “They Promised Inbuilt Calculator, But There Was None” — Alex Shares His Struggle with Calculation-Based Subjects

A JAMB 2025 candidate, Alex, has shared a frustrating experience after discovering that the promised inbuilt calculator was missing during his exam, despite being told not to bring a personal calculator.

“They said we should not bring a calculator because there would be an inbuilt one in the system, but there was nothing. My Physics and Chemistry were made up of 70% calculations, and I was just guessing to answer,” he said.

His experience reflects a serious concern for candidates who depend on basic tools to solve science-related questions accurately.

No Calculator Provided Despite JAMB’s Promise

Normally, JAMB instructs candidates not to bring their own calculators to prevent malpractice. Instead, they promise to provide:

• A simple on-screen calculator inside the CBT system for candidates who need it.

However, at Alex’s centre, there was no inbuilt calculator, leaving him — and possibly others — stranded during heavy calculation-based subjects like Physics and Chemistry.

Without a calculator:

• Solving complex numerical problems becomes extremely difficult.
• Candidates are forced to guess answers, which reduces their chances of scoring high in subjects they prepared hard for.

How This Affected Candidates Like Alex

Alex mentioned that:

• 70% of his Physics and Chemistry papers were made up of calculation-based questions.
• Without a calculator, he had to guess many of his answers, putting his performance at risk through no fault of his own.

A Call for JAMB to Investigate

Alex’s story shows why it is important for JAMB to:

• Investigate centres where candidates reported missing calculators.
• Protect candidates’ interests by awarding fairness in marking, especially for candidates affected by technical failures.
• Ensure strict checks on CBT centres before the exam starts each day.

Final Words

Alex’s experience is painful because no candidate should be punished for a failure in the system they trusted.
JAMB must look into reports like this and find a fair solution for candidates who were forced to guess through calculation-based papers without the basic tools they were promised.

Stay strong, Alex — your effort and determination still count, and we hope justice will be done for all candidates in your situation.