The National Autonomous University of Mexico Has Ordered Roughly 58,000 Applicants to Retake Its Entrance Exam in Person

The university said the retest follows a debacle that led to thousands of annulled results. Nearly 160,000 students sat for the exam earlier this summer, competing for 21,962 places. The share of applicants scoring 100 or more out of 120 jumped from 3.5% in 2021–2025 to 16% this year, while those scoring 110 or more rose sixfold to 5.5%.

Almost 30% of medicine program candidates hit 100 or more, versus 9% last year. The results sparked a national scandal, prompting President Claudia Sheinbaum to suggest the attorney general may investigate. Hundreds of applicants protested in Mexico City on Monday, blocking thoroughfares.

Rector Leonardo Lomelí apologized to candidates who were fairly accepted but said the control exam is necessary to ensure equity. The university annulled 3,174 tests after detecting irregularities such as identity impersonation, external assistance, and AI use. A technical expert told the New York Times that up to 75,000 exams may have involved some cheating, with questions leaked and sold online.

Unam filed a criminal complaint in July and halted admissions, appointing a committee to decide the fate of the 158,712 test-takers. The academic year for new students will now start on 31 August instead of 10 August.