As preparations for the 2027 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) begin, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has highlighted five common mistakes candidates should avoid to improve their chances of gaining admission into tertiary institutions.
In a video shared on its official X account on Wednesday, the examination body identified late preparation, poor choice of course and institution, incorrect subject combinations, failure to follow official announcements and errors during registration as major challenges facing candidates.
JAMB advised prospective candidates to address these issues early to avoid unnecessary difficulties during the examination and admission process.
The first mistake is delaying examination preparation. Candidates who wait until a few weeks or months before the examination to begin serious studies may struggle to cover the syllabus, practise past questions and understand difficult topics.
To avoid this, candidates are encouraged to develop regular reading habits, prepare a realistic study timetable and begin studying well ahead of the examination.
The second mistake is choosing a course or institution without first understanding the admission requirements. Some candidates register for UTME without confirming whether their preferred institutions offer their chosen courses or whether they meet the required qualifications.
JAMB advised candidates to research their preferred courses and institutions and confirm the necessary O’level requirements before registration.
The third mistake is selecting an
incorrect UTME subject combination. Such an error could make a candidate ineligible for admission, even with a good examination score.Candidates have been advised to consult JAMB’s Integrated Brochure and Syllabus System (IBASS) at ibass.jamb.gov.ng to confirm the required subjects for their chosen courses.
Another mistake is failing to keep up with official announcements from JAMB. Missing important information about registration procedures, deadlines, examination dates and other guidelines could create avoidable problems.
Candidates are therefore advised to visit the board’s official website,
www.jamb.gov.ng, and follow its verified communication channels for updates.
The fifth mistake is entering incorrect personal information during registration. Errors involving names, dates of birth, National Identification Number (NIN) details and telephone numbers could lead to difficulties during verification and admission processing.
Prospective candidates are advised to ensure that their details are accurate and consistent with their official records before visiting accredited registration centres. They should also carefully review the information provided before submitting their registration.
JAMB emphasised that preparing for the 2027 UTME involves more than studying. Candidates must also understand admission requirements, make appropriate academic choices and comply with the board’s registration and examination guidelines.
The examination body urged prospective candidates to begin making the necessary preparations early rather than waiting until registration opens or the examination approaches.
