2027 UTME: JAMB Warns Candidates Against Five Costly Admission Mistakes
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
By Darlington Chibueze Asor
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has warned prospective candidates for the 2027 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) against five common mistakes that could jeopardise their chances of securing admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions.
The examination body urged candidates to begin preparations early, understand the admission requirements for their preferred courses and institutions, and ensure that all information supplied during registration is accurate.
JAMB gave the advice in a video shared on its official X account on Wednesday, highlighting some of the recurring errors candidates make before and during the admission process.
According to the board, avoiding these mistakes would help prospective candidates make informed decisions and improve their chances of successfully navigating the examination and admission process.
One of the major mistakes identified by JAMB is late preparation. The board observed that some candidates postpone serious academic preparation until a few weeks or months before the examination, leaving them with limited time to cover the required syllabus.
To avoid this, candidates were advised to develop consistent reading habits, prepare realistic study timetables and complete the UTME syllabus ahead of the examination.
They were also encouraged to practise past questions regularly to familiarise themselves with the examination format and improve their readiness.
The second mistake highlighted by the examination body is making the wrong choice of course or institution without first investigating the admission requirements.
JAMB advised candidates to research their preferred courses and confirm that their chosen institutions offer the programmes they intend to study.
It also stressed the importance of checking the required O'Level credits before registration, noting that failure to meet the stipulated requirements could affect a candidate's eligibility for admission.
The board further cautioned candidates against selecting incorrect UTME subject combinations, describing it as a mistake that could prevent them from gaining admission regardless of their examination performance.
It explained that candidates must ensure their selected subjects correspond with the requirements of their preferred courses and institutions.
To guide their decisions, JAMB urged prospective candidates to consult its Integrated Brochure and Syllabus System (IBASS), available at ibass.jamb.gov.ng.
The platform provides information on approved subject combinations and other admission requirements for different courses and institutions.
Another issue identified by the board is failure to follow official updates and announcements.
JAMB warned that candidates who ignore information released through its official communication channels risk missing important details concerning registration procedures, deadlines, examination schedules and other guidelines.
The examination body therefore encouraged candidates to regularly visit its official website, www.jamb.gov.ng, and follow its verified communication platforms for accurate and timely information.
The fifth mistake concerns providing incorrect personal information during registration.
According to JAMB, errors in candidates' personal details, including names, dates of birth, National Identification Number (NIN) information and telephone numbers, could create complications during registration, verification and admission processing.
Candidates were advised to ensure that their personal information is accurate and consistent across relevant official records before visiting accredited registration centres.
The board also urged prospective candidates to carefully review every detail entered during registration before final submission to minimise the possibility of errors.
JAMB emphasised that success in the 2027 UTME goes beyond preparing for the examination, explaining that candidates must also understand admission requirements, make appropriate academic choices and comply with official guidelines.
The board's advisory comes as prospective candidates begin preparations for the next examination cycle, with an emphasis on early planning and avoiding preventable errors that could affect their admission prospects.
It urged candidates not to wait until registration opens or the examination draws closer before taking their academic preparation and admission decisions seriously.
