As this year's Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) test began yesterday, candidates from across the country have recounted their experiences about the adopted Computer Based Test (CBT) exam method, Daily Trust reports. While the exam was hitch-free in some states, in others it was marred by hitches ranging from sudden change of centre and date, breakdown of server, delay among others.

In Kwara, Daily Trust observed breakdown of internet servers in most of the centres visited. At the University of Ilorin permanent centre, many candidates who were scheduled to start their examinations by 6am could not do so as at 12 noon.

It was learnt that over 1,200 candidates were fixed to take examination in two batches in two centres at the university with the first session to start by 6am and the second at 10am.

But at noon, none of the candidates in the two batches had started the examination, Daily Trust reporter learnt.

A candidate, Ahmed Hassan said: "We were here before 6am as instructed. The thumb printing was done for us around 7am but we later learnt that the server had broken down, and that they couldn't download the examination questions."

Another candidate at the centre, Idayat Balogun said: "I am so fed up right now. You can imagine, we were asked to come by 6am for those of us in the first batch but this is 11am and we are yet to start."

An official at the centre, Engr. (Mrs.) Olubunmi Bolanle-Eyinla, said the technical hitches were being resolved. However, the exam had not started at the time of filing this report.

At Trillium Learning Centre, another CBT centre in Ilorin, the exam started as scheduled.

DailyTrust correspondent reports that most of the computers used at one of the private examination centres hooked up while others shut themselves down several times during the exams.

The exercise started three hours behind the stipulated time due to delay from JAMB officials.

At Old Airport road centre, about 600 candidates turned out for the exam that was scheduled to take place in three batches but as at 4pm only one-third of the 150 candidates were able to finish.

Some of the candidates complained of delay and poor preparations on the part of JAMB officials and the proprietors of the exam centre.

Another candidate, who craved anonymity, said he was scheduled to sit for the exam at 10am but up till 3pm even the first batch had not finished theirs.

However, Daily Trust observed that apart from faulty computers and poor internet service, there are no adequate invigilators and security personnel in some centres.

At the time of filing in this report, over 400 candidates from the second and third batches were still waiting for their turn at the exam centres.