A top Mexican university used AI to prevent exam cheating. Now thousands of admissions are in doubt

AI Monitoring System Sparks Crisis at Mexico’s Premier University

Sandego.net – Thousands of prospective students at Mexico’s National Autonomous University (UNAM) now face uncertainty after the institution suspended admissions following revelations of potential widespread cheating. The controversy centers on an unprecedented situation where an artificial intelligence monitoring system, designed to prevent fraud, has inadvertently become the focal point of student frustration and political attention.

A Student’s Journey to the Exam

Daniel Fernando García Velázquez represents the determination of countless applicants seeking entry into UNAM. The young man from Veracruz endured three separate attempts at the admissions examination before finally achieving what should have been his breakthrough moment. Each previous attempt required him to undertake a demanding 400-kilometer journey—approximately 250 miles—from his home state to Mexico City, as the prestigious institution maintained its traditional requirement for in-person testing.

During his fourth attempt in June, Velázquez made the same arduous trip despite the fact that UNAM was administering the examination online for the first time in its storied history. His performance was exceptional: he achieved a score of 94 out of 120 points, a result that should have guaranteed him placement in the Communication and Journalism program at the university’s Aragón School of Higher Studies.

Yet despite this impressive achievement, Velázquez remains uncertain whether he will be permitted to begin classes when the new semester commences on August 10. The university has placed all enrollment on hold while investigators examine allegations of systematic cheating that have shaken the institution’s reputation.

UNAM’s Historic Legacy and Competitive Admissions

Founded during the 16th century as the Royal and Pontifical University of Mexico, UNAM holds a distinguished place in Mexican history. The institution received autonomy in 1929 and has since evolved into a powerful symbol of contemporary Mexican society. It has served as a crucible for political and social movements while providing crucial social mobility opportunities in a nation where private higher education remains financially out of reach for many families.

The university’s prestige creates intense competition for limited spaces. Each year, more than 100,000 applicants compete for admission, with rejection rates typically falling between 80 and 90 percent. The undergraduate examination consists of 120 questions, and the passing threshold varies according to program demand. Medicine programs consistently establish the highest standards due to their exceptional popularity among applicants.

The Online Experiment and AI Surveillance

UNAM’s decision to transition to online testing this year was motivated by a desire to increase accessibility and equity for students nationwide. Previously, candidates had to travel from across the country to examination centers concentrated primarily in Mexico City and its surrounding regions. The institution believed that removing this geographical barrier would create a fairer system for all applicants.

To protect the integrity of the examination, UNAM implemented an artificial intelligence-based monitoring system. According to university officials, this technology would “allow for the capture and recording of any behavior and action carried out by each applicant,” providing supplementary support to human monitors overseeing the testing process.

More than 150,000 candidates participated in the examination, which was conducted over weekends throughout May and June. These applicants were competing for exactly 21,962 available positions across various programs.

The Scandal Unfolds

Approximately one month before results were scheduled for publication, UNAM issued a surprise announcement revealing that two percent of all examinations—roughly 3,000 tests—had been invalidated. The university cited “behaviors contrary to what is established in the Call for Applications and in University Legislation” as the basis for these cancellations, though it provided minimal additional detail at that time.

Subsequent investigation uncovered a troubling pattern: an unusually elevated number of examinations received perfect scores. This statistical anomaly suggested that certain students may have utilized artificial intelligence tools or obtained examination questions prior to the testing date.

“It’s really shocking because of the number of students who got a perfect score on the exam, something we hadn’t seen before; the number has tripled compared to previous years,” said Alma Maldonado, a member of the technical commission appointed to investigate the situation, in an interview with CNN’s Perspectivas program.

Political and Student Reactions

The controversy has escalated to the highest levels of Mexican government. President Claudia Sheinbaum, herself a graduate of UNAM’s physics department, publicly suggested on Tuesday that the university should request assistance from the attorney general’s office to thoroughly resolve the matter.

While only 3,000 of approximately 150,000 examinations have been officially annulled, the impact extends far beyond those directly affected. All students—including those like Velázquez who are not suspected of any wrongdoing—remain in limbo pending the conclusion of UNAM’s comprehensive investigation. Many students who feel they have been treated unfairly are now directing their frustration toward the very AI surveillance system that was intended to ensure examination integrity.

The situation highlights the complex challenges that emerge when educational institutions attempt to balance technological innovation with traditional values, and when automated systems designed to detect fraud may inadvertently cast suspicion on honest students.