Candidates who participated in the ongoing 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) at a Lagos Computer-Based Test (CBT) centre have shared mixed reactions about the examination, highlighting the pressure, expectations, and surprises encountered during the exercise.
The experiences were gathered at Reliance S&T Limited, a CBT centre visited during the examination, where candidates spoke about their preparation levels and the emotional intensity associated with Nigeria’s most competitive tertiary entrance examination.
Adefemi Orobiyi described the atmosphere surrounding the examination as highly tense, noting that the combination of strict timing, movement within the centre, and the high expectations placed on candidates created significant pressure. The candidate explained that preparation involved extensive use of educational applications, school lessons, and online classes, expressing hopes of gaining admission to study Chemical Engineering at Lagos State University of Science and Technology.
Another candidate, Jibril Sharafadeen, admitted that despite engaging in group discussions and personal study sessions, he still felt only partially prepared ahead of the examination. Sharafadeen said he hopes to pursue a degree in Agriculture if he secures admission into a university.
For some candidates, however, the experience was relatively smooth. A Journalism aspirant who selected Obafemi Awolowo University and Olabisi Onabanjo University as preferred institutions credited consistent preparation over a three-month period for helping to make the examination process easier to manage.
Not all participants left the centre satisfied with their performance. Stephen Phillip described the examination as more challenging than expected, explaining that his focus on English and Mathematics while preparing for Computer Science did not fully reflect the questions encountered during the test.
Despite such concerns, some candidates remained optimistic. Omotayo Opeyemi expressed confidence in her performance and revealed her ambition to score as high as 300 in the examination. She attributed her confidence to dedicated lesson classes and targeted preparation in key subjects, as she aims to study Banking and Finance at the university level.
Others pointed to the unpredictable nature of the examination, with one candidate, Taiwo, describing a strong sense of relief after completing the test following months of preparation and anticipation.
As the nationwide UTME continues across accredited CBT centres, the experiences shared by candidates reflect the intense preparation, pressure, and aspirations associated with securing admission into Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
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