The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has authorised candidates sitting the 2024 mock Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (Mock-UTME), to bring into the examination hall ordinary HP pencil.

The Mock-UTME is scheduled to be held on Thursday, 7th March, 2024.

JAMB spokesperson, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, who made this known on Wednesday in Abuja, said this clarification became necessary following the series of enquiries from candidates and the general public alike regarding whether HP pencils are permitted in the examination hall as a writing material.

He added candidates could also use the ordinary HP pencil during the main UTME examination scheduled to commence on Friday, 19th April 2024.

The statement read: “All candidates sitting the 2024 Mock-UTME scheduled to be held on Thursday, 7th March 2024, are allowed to enter the examination hall with ordinary HP pencil for numerical analysis if they so desire.

“This clarification became necessary following the series of enquiries from candidates and the general public alike regarding whether HP pencils are permitted in the examination hall as writing material.

“It should be noted that the Board had hitherto prohibited the use of pencils and other banned materials in view of the nefarious ends that these materials are put.

“The Board, has, however, okayed the use of ordinary HP pencil during the upcoming Mock-UTME and the main examination scheduled to commence on Friday, 19th April, 2024.

“Consequently, candidates are urged to note that they are to come with only one pencil to their respective examination centres as specified while ensuring that they are not in possession of any other prohibited items,” it added. (Nigerian Tribune)