With preparations for the 2027 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) approaching, prospective candidates have been urged to take early steps to avoid errors that could undermine their examination performance and admission prospects.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has highlighted five common pitfalls, ranging from inadequate preparation to mistakes during registration, which candidates should address before the examination process begins.
In a video shared on its official X account, the examination body advised candidates to pay attention not only to their studies but also to the admission requirements of their preferred courses and institutions.
Here are five mistakes candidates have been advised to avoid ahead of the 2027 UTME.
1. Postponing serious examination preparation
Waiting until the examination is only a few weeks away before beginning serious studies can leave candidates struggling to cover the prescribed syllabus.
Such delays may also reduce the time available to practise past questions, understand difficult topics and identify areas requiring improvement.
Candidates are therefore encouraged to start studying early, establish a manageable timetable and maintain consistent reading habits throughout their preparation.
Beginning ahead of schedule would give them more time to work through the syllabus rather than attempting to cover several subjects under pressure shortly before the examination.
2. Choosing courses and institutions without proper research
Another mistake is selecting a course or institution without first examining the admission conditions attached to the preferred programme.
Candidates who overlook these requirements may discover later that they do not possess the necessary qualifications for their chosen courses.
JAMB advises prospective students to research available programmes, identify institutions offering them and establish the required O’level credits before registering for the examination.
Making these decisions early can help candidates avoid choices that may affect their eligibility during the admission process.
3. Selecting the wrong UTME subject combination
Candidates may also jeopardise their admission chances by registering for subjects that do not meet the requirements of their intended courses.
Even a strong UTME score may not make a candidate eligible for admission if the selected subjects do not correspond with the prescribed combination.
To prevent this, JAMB recommends using its Integrated Brochure and Syllabus System (IBASS) to verify the subjects required for each programme.
The information is available through the official portal, ibass.jamb.gov.ng, where candidates can check course-specific admission conditions before completing registration.
4. Ignoring official announcements and examination updates
Failure to keep track of information released by JAMB could expose candidates to avoidable problems during registration and the examination period.
Important announcements may concern registration procedures, application deadlines, examination dates and other requirements that prospective candidates are expected to follow.
Candidates have therefore been advised to check the board’s official website, www.jamb.gov.ng, and its verified communication platforms regularly.
Relying on information from unofficial sources could result in confusion or decisions based on inaccurate details.
5. Making errors in personal information during registration
Incorrect personal details can create difficulties when candidates undergo identity verification or proceed with admission processing.
JAMB has specifically drawn attention to information such as names, dates of birth, National Identification Number details and telephone numbers, which should be checked carefully before registration is completed.
Candidates are advised to ensure that their details correspond with the information on their relevant official records and to review entries made at accredited registration centres before submission.
Careful verification at this stage could help prevent discrepancies that may require correction later.
Ultimately, JAMB’s guidance highlights the importance of combining adequate academic preparation with careful planning and compliance with registration requirements.
Prospective candidates have been encouraged to address these issues early rather than waiting until the registration period or examination date draws closer.
