UNAM Control Exam Sees High Absenteeism, Up to 22,000 Applicants Missed Test

The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) experienced significant student absenteeism in its recent control exam, with estimates suggesting up to 22,000 invited applicants did not attend. This figure represents a roughly 37% absence rate among the 58,400 students called to take the test.

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attendance would exceed 36,000 participants and could approach 37,000.

The control exam was implemented to re-validate admission results following irregularities detected in the online process conducted in May and June. University rector Leonardo Lomelí Vanegas indicated that attendance across the four exam sites in Mexico City, León, Oaxaca, and Tijuana was expected to be between 36,000 and 37,000 students.

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absenteeism would be around 37 percent.

Reports from earlier in the exam period, between August 12 and 19, showed high absence rates in external locations like Oaxaca and León, where UNAM itself reported nearly 30% of registered applicants were absent. In some sessions, up to half of the invited students did not show up.

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many applicants also participated in admission processes of other institutions and, upon obtaining a place, chose not to repeat the evaluation.

University officials attributed the low turnout to several factors. Many students had already secured places in other institutions and chose not to repeat the evaluation. Additionally, the costs associated with travel, accommodation, and food for students attending exam sites further deterred some from participating. The results of this control exam are scheduled for publication on the last weekend of August.

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travel, accommodation, and food costs that some young people had to bear to attend the designated venues also influenced.