UNAM Moves 2026 Control Exam to Palacio de los Deportes
The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) will hold its 2026 control exam from Monday 17 to Wednesday 19 August at Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City, where 53,568 applicants are expected to take the in-person test.
The university moved to the controlled, face-to-face format after detecting irregularities and suspected cheating in the previously online admission exam. Because of that change, applicants do not choose their own slot; they must enter the Tu Sitio portal to confirm the day, date and time assigned to them.
On exam day, candidates must bring an official government-issued photo ID and their appointment confirmation. UNAM's General Directorate of School Administration recommends arriving one hour before the assigned turn to complete registration and entry procedures, and candidates have a maximum of three hours to finish the test.
The venue is accessible by public transport: the closest Metro station is Velódromo on Line 9, and nearby Metrobús stations Tlacotal and Goma on Line 2 are alternatives. Cell phones, backpacks and large bags are prohibited inside, but UNAM will provide a designated area to leave belongings during the exam.
Why This Week's In-Person Exam Is Different for Aspirants
The return to in-person testing is not simply a scheduling update. It is a direct response to the integrity problems UNAM says it found in the online admission process.
Why UNAM Is Reverting to a Supervised Format
The university has publicly tied the control exam to detected irregularities and suspected cheating in the online test. In that context, a fixed-location, face-to-face exam is the university's mechanism for resetting confidence in the admission process. The decision affects a large group: more than 53,000 candidates will pass through a single venue in three days.
How the Fixed-Turn System Affects Candidates
Because applicants cannot select their turn, the burden falls on each student to check Tu Sitio before the exam and follow the assigned schedule. The only start time listed for the Mexico City site is 9:00 a.m., and UNAM has said the maximum duration is three hours. That structure gives applicants a predictable window, but it also makes the one-hour early arrival recommendation important for avoiding delays at registration.
What the Logistics Reveal
UNAM is anticipating a high-volume event by publishing transport options and warning candidates about prohibited items. The fact that the university is operating storage for phones and bags suggests it expects the rules to be enforced on site rather than left to individual interpretation.
What Mexico City Candidates Should Do Before Attending
For applicants assigned to the Mexico City venue, the practical steps are specific and time-sensitive:
- Check the Tu Sitio portal now for your assigned day and time; the portal remains open for control-exam appointments until one day before testing begins in CDMX.
- Bring a valid official photo ID and your appointment confirmation; these are required for entry to Palacio de los Deportes.
- Plan to arrive at least one hour before your assigned turn to allow enough time for registration and entry.
- Leave cell phones, backpacks and large bags in the designated storage area, since they are prohibited inside the exam space.
- Use Metro Line 9 to Velódromo or Metrobús Line 2 to Tlacotal or Goma if you are traveling by public transport.
- Email [email protected] with any doubts about the control exam.
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