UNAM to return to in-person admission exams

The Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) reported widespread misconduct during its first online undergraduate admission exam. A transparency request identified 3,248 incidents of irregularities, including the use of unauthorized materials, identity theft, and social media assistance. Consequently, the university canceled approximately 2 percent of the tests and implemented a mandatory in-person control exam to maintain academic integrity.

Amid these institutional findings, individual cases emerged, such as 17-year-old Brisa Nisdany García Santiago from Oaxaca. Despite achieving a perfect score of 120 out of 120, García Santiago withdrew from the UNAM medical school admission process following allegations from university officials regarding irregularities in her remote exam. Her father described discussions with the institution as “estériles” (sterile) and rejected the claims of anomalies as unfounded.

In response to the systemic failures, Rector Leonardo Lomelí Vanegas announced that the university will return to in-person admission exams. Future testing will be conducted at multiple locations using pre-loaded electronic devices to ensure security. Furthermore, UNAM is exploring legal frameworks to potentially veto applicants found engaging in misconduct, which would prevent them from applying in future cycles. The Rector noted that because the offenders are applicants rather than enrolled students, the General Counsel must review the legal basis for such disciplinary sanctions.