Daniel Fernando García Velázquez faced the admissions exam of Mexico's most prestigious institution four times before achieving the score that should have guaranteed him a place. Hailing from Veracruz, he made the long trek of 400 kilometers (250 miles) to Mexico City for his first three attempts, as the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) required in-person testing.
However, during his fourth attempt in June, a historic shift occurred—the exam was offered online for the very first time. Velázquez still made the journey to the capital, and this time he excelled, securing a score of 94 out of 120 on the exam, which should have qualified him for UNAM’s Communication and Journalism program at the Aragón School of Higher Studies.
Despite this achievement, Velázquez's enrollment for the upcoming semester, starting August 10, remains uncertain due to a scandal involving suspected widespread cheating. UNAM decided to invalidate thousands of tests after discovering an unusually high number of perfect scores, leading to allegations that students may have exploited artificial intelligence tools or obtained test questions in advance. While around 3,000 out of approximately 150,000 tests have been annulled, all candidates—including those like Velázquez, who are not implicated—are left in limbo as UNAM investigates the situation.
Further complicating matters, many students believe the AI surveillance system designed to prevent cheating has instead become a target of their frustrations. The uproar has escalated to the political arena, with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, a UNAM alumna, expressing her views on the need for the attorney general’s assistance to clarify the situation.
UNAM's legacy dates back to the 16th century, when it was founded as the Royal and Pontifical University of Mexico. It gained autonomy in 1929, evolving into a symbol of modern Mexico and a hub for political and social activism, standing as a pathway for social mobility amid the high costs of private education.
Each year, over 100,000 hopefuls vie for around 21,962 openings, with a rejection rate ranging from 80% to 90%. The admissions test consists of 120 questions, with passing scores fluctuating based on subject demand, particularly in competitive fields like Medicine.
The university's choice to move the exam online this year was intended to enhance accessibility for applicants, removing the need for extensive travel to testing locations. To combat cheating, UNAM implemented an AI-driven monitoring system designed to record candidates' behaviors, supplementing human supervision.
However, the outcome of this year's testing raised significant concerns. Out of more than 150,000 participants, just before the results were released, UNAM announced that 2% of the tests had been invalidated due to “behaviors contrary to what is established in the Call for Applications and in University Legislation.” The specifics of this announcement were sparse, but the rise in perfect scores indicated possible cheating, prompting skepticism.
Alma Maldonado, part of the technical commission probing the issue, noted the unprecedented increase in perfect scores, as well as a rise in students with little to no correct answers, eliciting further suspicion.
Supplementing these concerns, multiple viral TikTok videos have surfaced, allegedly demonstrating how to circumvent monitoring during the exam. In an interview, Daniel Flores Miranda revealed that an acquaintance had offered him a computer program for a fee of 2,500 pesos (around $150) that promised to solve the test—a service he did not utilize but knew others who had benefited from.
Territorium Life, the company responsible for the exam administration, defended its surveillance infrastructure amidst criticisms of excessive reliance on AI at the expense of human monitors. They asserted that the system functioned as intended and that maintaining integrity requires a balance of technological and academic security measures.
As for what lies ahead, the admissions landscape remains unclear for prospective students. On Friday, UNAM disclosed that their investigation found evidence of cheating via phones, accomplices, and identity theft. In response, the university plans to conduct a follow-up control exam—this time, administered in person—for all candidates who achieved passing scores this year, and even for those from the past five years, totaling around 58,000 applicants.
Details regarding this makeup exam are still pending, but the committee has recommended that it take place as soon as possible to mitigate disruptions for the semester. UNAM’s Rector, Leonardo Lomelí, has urged all current and future applicants to demonstrate ethical conduct, emphasizing that such misconduct not only undermines the institution but society at large.
