# UNAM admissions scandal: fraud arrests and return to in-p-p > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/unam-suspends-activities-amid-disruptions > Updated: 2026-09-05T04:21:37.000Z. Sources: 284. Developments: 28. UNAM’s first fully online admission exam for the 2026–27 cycle attracted approximately 158,700 candidates. Irregularities were detected, including cellphone use, identity substitution, and suspected AI-assisted cheating. The use of an AI-powered remote-proctoring system from Territorium and Respondus’s LockDown browser was linked to statistical anomalies, such as the share of applicants scoring 110 or higher jumping from 0.9% to 5.5%. In response, UNAM terminated its approximately 69-million-peso contract with Territorium and initiated three audits. To restore integrity, UNAM mandated in-person “control exams” using digital tablets in offline mode. Rector Leonardo Lomelí reported that approximately 37,000 students participated nationwide in these extraordinary sessions. During the exams, authorities detected at least 22 instances of attempted fraud, involving methods such as mobile phones in restrooms, camera-equipped glasses, and altered registration documents. Lomelí noted the university had underestimated the scale of a “business” involving companies offering cheating services, leading to complaints filed with the Fiscalía General de la República. Following the control exams, UNAM released the final results, confirming 49,074 new students will begin studies on August 31. This total includes 28,151 via ‘Pase Reglamentado’ and 20,923 through the selection contest, the latter being 1,039 fewer spots than originally anticipated. The in-person exams resulted in significantly lower passing thresholds; for example, the minimum score for Medicine dropped from 117 to 92. In a related legal development, two operators of the ‘Más Preparación’ academy, identified as Edgar “N” and David “N”, were linked to a criminal process for allegedly charging students to complete exams online. While a judge reclassified the crime to one carrying economic sanctions rather than prison, they maintained preventive detention. The academy’s offices remain closed following arrests by the Mexico City Prosecutor's Office. Following the release of the control exam results, UNAM announced it will offer 2,024 undergraduate vacancies across 66 degree programs. ## Claims - The 2026 admission exam was conducted online for the first time. (disputed by 15 sources) - Patricia Dolores Dávila Aranda resigned as UNAM Secretary General amid the admission scandal. (disputed by 10 sources) - UNAM dismissed Secretary General Patricia Dávila amid the admission scandal. (disputed by 7 sources) - The control exam will be held from 12 to 19 August 2026 in León, Oaxaca, Tijuana and Mexico City. (disputed by 7 sources) - UNAM scheduled an Examen de Control Presencial for 58,783 applicants between 12 and 19 August 2026. (corroborated by 18 sources) - The decision to hold the control exam was based on a recommendation from the Comisión Técnica de Personas Expertas after detecting irregularities in the online admission test. (corroborated by 15 sources) - The online portal “TU SITIO” was opened on 7 August 2026 for applicants to view their individual exam appointment. (corroborated by 15 sources) - Approximately 2 % of the 158,727 exams were cancelled due to irregularities. (corroborated by 14 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-05: UNAM returns to in-person admission exams after online testing failures UNAM will return to in-person admission exams using pre-loaded electronic devices following irregularities, including AI-assisted cheating and planning failures during its recent online testing cycle. 15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/unam-to-return-to-in-person-admission-exams-following-online-failures ### 2026-09-03: UNAM returns to in-person admission exams following online testing irregularities UNAM will return to in-person admission exams after detecting irregularities, including the unauthorized use of AI and atypical scoring during its first fully remote testing process. 15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/unam-rector-addresses-entrance-exam-anomalies ### 2026-08-30: UNAM begins 2026-2027 academic cycle with 85,000 new students UNAM begins the 2026-2027 school year with 85,000 new students and is offering 2,024 additional undergraduate spots following a controversial admission process involving in-person control exams. 30 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/unam-offers-2024-undergraduate-vacancies-for-unselected-applicants ### 2026-08-28: UNAM releases results for in-person undergraduate admission exam UNAM has released results for its in-person control exam, admitting 49,074 new students following irregularities in the previous online admission process. 19 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexican-universities-shift-admission-formats-following-online-exam-controversies ### 2026-08-28: UNAM exam fraud: Academy operators detained in Mexico City Two operators of the ‘Más Preparación’ academy face charges for allegedly charging students to complete UNAM entrance exams online in Mexico City. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/unam-exam-fraud-academy-operators-detained-in-mexico-city ### 2026-08-20: UNAM detects cheating during in-person admission exams UNAM rector Leonardo Lomelí reported 22 cases of cheating during in-person admission exams in Mexico City. Results are expected by August 30, with over half of the 36,885 applicants likely to secure spots. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/unam-reports-exam-cheating-and-high-rejection-rates-for-admissions ### 2026-08-18: UNAM detects 22 fraud attempts during in-person admission exams UNAM rector Leonardo Lomelí reported 22 cases of attempted fraud, including the use of AI glasses and phones, during the university's mandatory in-person control exams in Mexico City. 27 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/unam-conducts-controlled-entrance-exams-amid-technical-issues ### 2026-08-16: UNAM conducts in-person control exams following admission irregularities UNAM is conducting in-person control exams in Mexico to verify admission integrity after detecting AI use and irregularities in its online process. The university has apologized for the resulting stress. 32 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/unam-conducts-in-person-control-exams-in-mexico-following-admission-irregularities ### 2026-08-13: UNAM student with perfect exam score faces admission uncertainty A Zapotec student from Oaxaca who earned a perfect score on the UNAM entrance exam was unable to participate in the mandatory in-person verification test, prompting a university review. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/unam-student-with-perfect-exam-score-faces-admission-uncertainty ### 2026-08-13: UNAM implements in-person exams to correct AI-related admission irregularities UNAM is conducting in-person control exams in Mexico to correct irregularities, including AI misuse, detected during its online admission process. Sessions continue in Tijuana and Mexico City. 34 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/unam-considers-returning-entrance-exams-to-in-person-format ### 2026-08-11: UNAM begins in-person Control Exams across four Mexican cities UNAM has launched in-person Control Exams in León, Oaxaca, Tijuana, and Mexico City to verify admission results following irregularities in the previous online testing process. 21 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/unam-reports-43000-applicants-secured-exam-appointments ### 2026-08-09: UNAM holds in-person control exams following suspected AI admission fraud UNAM is holding in-person control exams from August 12-19 following suspected AI fraud in its online admissions. Students are protesting regional testing sites and reporting technical platform failures. 44 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/unam-mandates-retakes-for-thousands-of-applicants-following-exam-irregularities ### 2026-08-07: UNAM to hold in-person control exams for 58,000 applicants following admission irregularities UNAM is conducting in-person control exams for 58,783 applicants across four Mexican cities following irregularities and suspected AI cheating during the original online admission process. 41 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/unam-schedules-new-in-person-admission-exam-amid-legal-challenges ### 2026-08-05: UNAM terminates Territorium Life contract, orders audits and schedules mandatory control exam for 58,000 applicants UNAM cancels its 69 M‑peso contract with Territorium Life after AI‑suspected cheating, orders three audits and will hold a free, mandatory control exam for 58 000 applicants on 12‑19 Aug in four Mexican cities. 42 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/unam-reports-teacher-exam-cheating-and-releases-admission-score-requirements ### 2026-08-04: UNAM AI Exam Proctoring Scandal Triggers 58,000 Student Retakes UNAM’s AI‑proctored entrance exam sparked protests after scores surged, leading the university to order retakes for roughly 58,000 students. 16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/artificial-intelligences-quest-for-human-level-intelligence ### 2026-08-02: UNAM sets August 12‑19 control exam for 58,000 applicants UNAM will hold a control exam for ~58,000 applicants on 12‑19 Aug 2026 in four cities, after online‑exam irregularities; classes start 31 Aug, protests and amparo lawsuits follow, and Sheinbaum offers a new‑unv 70 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/unam-admission-exam-cancellation-sparks-legal-challenges ### 2026-07-31: UNAM schedules control exam for 58,000 applicants amid admission scandal; Sheinbaum offers free places at Rosario Castel UNAM will hold a control exam for about 58,000 applicants after irregularities in its 2026 online admission test; President Sheinbaum will admit rejected candidates for free at Universidad Rosario Castellanos, 95 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/unam-to-hold-inperson-control-exam-after-online-admission-irregularities ### 2026-07-28: UNAM to hold in‑person control exam for 2026 admission after cheating scandal UNAM cancelled 2 % of its 2026 online admission exams after detecting cheating and ordered an in‑person control exam for all admitted and high‑scoring applicants, affecting over 20,000 candidates. 46 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexican-universities-keep-admissions-exams-inperson-after-unam-online-test-controversy ### 2026-07-28: Mexican students achieve perfect UNAM admission scores Two Mexican students – Brisa García from Oaxaca and Karla Becerra from Tabasco – each earned a perfect 120‑point score on UNAM’s medicine admission exam, prompting a UNAM review of the online selection process. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexican-students-achieve-perfect-unam-admission-scores-amid-review ### 2026-07-27: UNAM entrance exam cheating market offers real‑time answers and identity fraud A secret market on WhatsApp and Telegram sold answer banks, live help and identity‑theft services for UNAM's entrance exam, prompting the university to block exams and suspend registrations. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/unam-entrance-exam-cheating-market-offers-realtime-answers-and-identity-fraud ### 2026-07-26: UNAM admission exam scandal prompts technical commission and government response UNAM’s first fully online 2026 admission exam faced AI‑related irregularities; ~3,000 results annulled. A technical commission will recommend actions this week, while President Sheinbaum urges swift resolution 84 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/unam-admission-exam-fraud-triggers-federal-investigation-in-mexico ### 2026-07-24: UNAM suspends 2026‑27 admission process amid cheating allegations UNAM has halted licence‑level admissions for 2026‑27 after cheating allegations in its online exam, pending a technical review and possible criminal action; students plan a July 27 march for transparency. 49 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/guatemala-university-of-san-carlos-turmoil-sparks-legal-and-political-backlash ### 2026-07-22: UNAM reviews 2026 admission exam after AI cheating allegations UNAM is reviewing its first fully online 2026 admission exam after AI‑cheating claims led to the cancellation of about 3,000 exams, a criminal complaint, a technical audit, presidential remarks, student marches 14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/unam-to-review-2026-admission-exam-after-suspected-aiassisted-cheating ### 2026-07-20: UNAM launches technical review of 2026 admission exam amid fraud allegations and protests UNAM will review its 2026 online admission exam after fraud claims, high scores and AI‑cheating accusations; a technical commission is formed, the president urges honesty, and students plan a protest. 19 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexicos-unam-entrance-exam-scores-jump-after-first-fully-online-test ### 2026-07-16: UNAM admits 50,113 students for 2026‑27 cycle, first fully online entrance exam UNAM will release 2026‑27 admission results on 17 July, admitting 50,113 students (21,962 via exam, 28,151 via regulated pass) after a fully online exam monitored by AI; enrollment rose by 1,454 spots. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/unam-admits-50113-students-for-202627-cycle-first-fully-online-entrance-exam ### 2026-07-06: UNAM files criminal complaint over alleged admission exam fraud UNAM filed a criminal complaint on 3 July over fraud schemes promising guaranteed admission during its 2026 entrance exam, warning families and confirming results will be released 17 July. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/unam-files-criminal-complaint-over-fraudulent-entrance-exam-services ### 2026-06-24: UNAM launches investigation into admission exam cheating allegations UNAM is investigating cheating in its online admission exams after irregularities were found in over 1% of tests, with sanctions possible as the process continues for thousands of applicants. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/unam-launches-investigation-into-admission-exam-cheating-allegations ### 2026-06-19: UNAM suspends admission process after violent disruptions UNAM halted admission exam reviews after violent disturbances, pledging new dates and legal action against perpetrators. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/unam-suspends-admission-process-after-violent-disruptions --- Cite as: UNAM admissions scandal: fraud arrests and return to in-p-p. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/unam-suspends-activities-amid-disruptions