Half of UNAM applicants miss control exam in Oaxaca; students traveled from other states

Oaxaca, Mexico – A significant number of university hopefuls missed the entrance control exam for the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) in Oaxaca, with only about half of the expected applicants appearing. Young students, accompanied by parents or friends, began gathering outside the Hotel Misión San Felipe, the exam venue, as early as 4:30 a.m.

Aspirants traveled from neighboring states such as Chiapas and Tabasco, as well as from various regions within Oaxaca, all aiming to arrive on time for the evaluation. Some were seeking to reaffirm scores from a prior online exam that had secured their admission, while others were pursuing a second chance after narrowly missing the cut-off in the initial remote test.

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The objective is to guarantee equity among all applicants, after confirming that there is evidence that some cheated in the first test conducted online.

UNAM Rector Leonardo Lomelí Vanegas arrived at the hotel around 10:00 a.m. to personally oversee the exam's administration. He emphasized the university's commitment to ensuring equity among all candidates, especially after evidence emerged of cheating during the first online examination. Lomelí Vanegas stated that three audits are being conducted on the process: a technological audit, an internal review by a commission of experts, and a review requested from the Superior Audit of the Federation (ASF).

Of the 1,920 aspirants expected from Chiapas, Tabasco, and Oaxaca, only 952 registered. The first session, which aimed for 350 to 400 students, saw only 239 attendees, according to Mauricio López, UNAM's Director General of Social Communication. Despite the low turnout, students like Ashley Zaabiany Peláez Sarmiento, 18, who traveled from the Oaxacan coast, expressed determination. Having studied for 11 months and achieved 118 out of 120 points in the previous exam, she felt prepared but nervous about repeating the process.

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I am super nervous right now because it is about going through that admission process again, but I know I prepared correctly. These two weeks of study was very little time, but I have the knowledge from 11 months ago and I know I can pass the exam again and if not, I can try again next year.