The Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) conducted the second day of an in-person control exam for its 2026 admission process [1].
The move comes after the university detected irregularities during the initial virtual admission tests. By requiring a supervised, physical exam, UNAM aims to ensure that student admissions are based strictly on academic merit [3, 4].
The testing took place at the Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City [1, 5]. Security operations were deployed on site to manage the large crowds and maintain the integrity of the testing environment [1].
A total of 18,837 candidates attended the second day of the control exam [2, 6]. This massive mobilization follows the university's decision to identify which specific students were required to retake the test in person [3].
University officials said the control measure was ordered to address the discrepancies found in the digital version of the test [3, 4]. The presence of security personnel was necessary to coordinate the movement of thousands of students entering the venue [1].
This process represents a significant logistical effort by the institution to maintain its standards of transparency. The use of a centralized location like the Palacio de los Deportes allowed the university to monitor the candidates closely and prevent further irregularities [1, 5].
“UNAM ordered a control exam after detecting irregularities in the virtual admission test”
The transition from a virtual to an in-person control exam highlights the vulnerabilities of remote high-stakes testing. By reverting to a supervised environment, UNAM is prioritizing the credibility of its credentials over the convenience of digital administration, signaling a zero-tolerance approach to admission fraud.
