AZE.US
University applicants in Azerbaijan have been warned not to pay private consultants who claim they can guarantee admission or have access to secret information about passing scores.
Maleyka Abbaszade, chair of Azerbaijan’s State Examination Center, said applicants should be cautious when seeking paid assistance during the university major selection process.
“If someone tells you they have special information about passing scores, know the results in advance or can guarantee that you will be admitted to a particular program, do not believe them,” Abbaszade said.
She stressed that all official information related to university admissions is publicly available and that no private consultant has access to hidden data unavailable to other applicants.
The warning comes amid growing promotion of paid university-selection services, particularly on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram.
Demand for Paid Advice Is Growing
Education expert Alimusa Atamaliyev said the number of applicants turning to paid consultants has been increasing each year.
He said the admissions process has become more complicated as universities introduce new programs and the number of state-funded and tuition-based places changes.
This can make it difficult for applicants and their parents to assess their options.
However, Atamaliyev warned that applicants should not automatically trust someone simply because they charge for their services.
Some consultants, he said, may incorrectly prioritize university programs, make mistakes when entering program codes or fail to consider an applicant’s interests and academic potential.
As a result, students may end up studying a subject they never wanted to pursue, potentially affecting their future career plans.
Free Help Is Available
The State Examination Center has established advisory centers at 10 higher education institutions where applicants can receive assistance free of charge.
The centers provide technical support with the application process as well as guidance on competition requirements and the selection of university programs.
Mobile advisory services are also operating on scheduled days in more than 50 districts across Azerbaijan.
Officials say applicants should base their decisions on several factors, including their exam results, personal interests, realistic admission chances and alternative options.
More than 70,000 applicants had already confirmed their university program selections.
The selection process was scheduled to close at 11:59 p.m. on August 19, with applicants required to submit and confirm their choices through the electronic application system.
AZE.US