How JAMB Catches Students Using Expo in 2025/2026; Every year, thousands of Nigerian students sit for the JAMB exam with hopes of gaining admission into university. Some students, however, choose to use Expo (cheating or leaked answers) to try and pass the exam easily. But what many students don’t realize is that JAMB (Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board) has many ways to catch those who try to cheat. In this article, we will explain how JAMB catches students using Expo in 2025/2026 and why cheating in the exam is never a good idea.
What is JAMB Expo?
Before we talk about how JAMB catches students using Expo, let’s first understand what Expo is. JAMB Expo is the illegal practice of using leaked answers or questions during the exam. Some people claim to have access to the answers before the exam and offer to sell them to students for a fee. These answers may be fake or wrong, and using them is not only against the rules but also dangerous. Many students think Expo will help them pass easily, but in reality, it only brings problems.
READ ALSO: How Expo Leaks Happen During JAMB Exams
How Does JAMB Catch Students Using Expo?
JAMB is very serious about preventing cheating. They have set up many systems to stop students from using Expo during the exam. Below are some of the ways JAMB catches students who try to cheat:
1. Strict Use of Technology
JAMB has invested a lot in technology to help monitor students during the exam. Some of the key technologies used by JAMB to catch cheaters include:
Biometric Verification
Before you can sit for the JAMB exam, you must go through a biometric verification process. This means that JAMB takes a fingerprint scan of every student. The biometric system helps ensure that the person sitting for the exam is the same person who registered. This also stops students from using fake identities or having someone else take the exam for them.
CCTV Cameras
In every JAMB exam center, there are CCTV cameras placed to monitor students during the exam. These cameras help JAMB keep an eye on what is happening inside the exam hall. If a student is caught trying to cheat by using their phone or any cheating material, the cameras will capture the act. The footage from these cameras is used as evidence to disqualify cheaters.
Computer-Based Test (CBT) System
JAMB uses a Computer-Based Test (CBT) system for the exam. This system makes it harder for students to cheat because they don’t get physical question papers. The questions are displayed on the computer screen, and they change every time a student logs in. This makes it impossible for students to share answers with others, as each person will have a different set of questions.
2. Phone and Device Detection
One of the most common ways students try to cheat is by using their phones to access Expo answers. To prevent this, JAMB has special teams that walk around the exam halls to check for any phones or electronic devices.
Phone Jammer Devices
JAMB uses phone jammer devices to block signals in the exam hall. This stops students from using their phones to communicate with someone outside the exam hall. These jammers make sure that phones cannot send or receive messages, preventing students from texting or accessing the internet during the exam.
Search for Phones and Other Devices
Before students enter the exam hall, they are thoroughly searched. Security officers check for phones, smartwatches, and other electronic devices that can be used for cheating. If a student is caught with a phone or any other device, they are immediately disqualified from the exam.
3. Smart Exam Monitoring System
JAMB also uses a smart exam monitoring system to track student activities during the exam. This system is designed to detect suspicious behavior, such as:
- Constantly looking down at a paper or phone
- Talking to other students
- Using strange gestures to communicate
If the system detects unusual movements or behavior, the student is flagged, and an invigilator will check if they are trying to cheat.
4. Random Questions
JAMB changes the order of questions for every student taking the exam. Each student receives a different set of questions, which means it is impossible to share answers with someone else sitting in the same room. This system is called randomization, and it helps prevent cheating by Expo.
Because every student has different questions, even if someone manages to get Expo answers, they won’t be able to match them with the questions on their screen. This makes it nearly impossible to cheat using Expo.
5. Exam Pattern and Marking System
JAMB also has a marking system that makes cheating difficult. The exam is not based only on multiple-choice questions; there are also essays and subjective questions that require critical thinking. These questions cannot be answered by simply copying Expo answers. Students who rely on Expo might find it hard to answer the other questions correctly.
Additionally, JAMB uses a computerized marking system, which can easily detect patterns of cheating. For example, if a student answers many questions correctly in the same way as a large number of other students, this might raise suspicion.
6. Reporting from Fellow Students
Sometimes, students who are not involved in cheating may notice others trying to use Expo. JAMB encourages students to report anyone they see cheating. If someone is caught using Expo, not only will they be disqualified, but their fellow students may also face consequences. This encourages students to be honest and discourages them from cheating.
7. Disciplinary Action
Students caught using Expo face serious consequences. JAMB has a strict policy for students who cheat, and the penalties are harsh. Some of the punishments include:
- Immediate disqualification from the exam
- Banning from taking JAMB for several years
- Legal action: In some cases, students who are caught cheating can face legal charges.
JAMB also reports those caught cheating to the National Assembly, and their names can be put on a list of cheaters. This can ruin their chances of getting admission into any university for a long time.
8. Using Fake Expo Vendors
One common way students get caught is by trusting fake Expo vendors. These are people who claim to have access to Expo answers and ask students to pay for them. Most of these Expo vendors are scammers. They take students’ money without giving them anything in return. JAMB is aware of these scammers, and when they catch them, they report them to the police. If you are found to have paid for Expo, you will be caught as well.
How to Avoid Being Caught Using Expo
If you want to avoid being caught for cheating during the JAMB exam, the best thing to do is study and prepare well for the exam. Here are some tips to help you:
- Follow the JAMB syllabus to know what to study.
- Practice past questions to get used to the exam format.
- Join a study group to help you learn better.
- Avoid trusting Expo vendors or anyone promising to sell you answers.
Conclusion
JAMB has many ways of catching students who try to cheat using Expo in 2025/2026. From biometric verification to technology that blocks phone signals, JAMB is serious about preventing cheating. Using Expo might seem like an easy way to pass, but it comes with huge risks. You could get disqualified, lose your money, or even face legal punishments. The best way to succeed in JAMB is by studying hard and preparing honestly. Trust yourself, work hard, and you will succeed without the need for cheating.
READ ALSO: Can JAMB Expo Affect Your Admission in 2025/2026?