How Jamb Give Admission (Complete Guide)

If you been asking yourself how Jamb Give Admission, then here is the answer you have been waiting for because all those details and more are contained here.

Getting admission into a Nigerian university, polytechnic, or college of education can seem complicated, but understanding how the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and individual schools work together can make it much clearer. This guide will break down the entire process, from taking the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to finally getting that admission offer, in simple, easy-to-understand language.

Table of Contents

What is JAMB?

JAMB stands for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board. It’s a Nigerian government agency that organizes entrance exams for students who want to go to universities, polytechnics, or colleges of education in Nigeria. Every year, JAMB conducts the UTME, which is a standardized exam that helps determine which students are eligible for admission into these institutions.

The Admission Process

The admission process through JAMB involves several steps and factors. Here’s a detailed look at how it all works:

Step 1: Taking the UTME

The first step in getting admission is to take the UTME. Here’s how you prepare and what to expect:

Register for the Exam: Before anything else, you need to register for the UTME. This involves filling out a form, providing necessary documents, and paying the registration fee.
Study and Prepare: Once registered, it’s time to study. The UTME covers subjects you studied in secondary school, so you’ll need to prepare well to score high.
Sit for the Exam: On the exam day, you’ll go to a designated center to take the test. It’s a computer-based test that assesses your knowledge in subjects related to your chosen field of study.

Step 2: Getting Your UTME Results

After taking the UTME, you’ll get your results, which will show your scores in the different subjects tested. These scores are crucial because they determine your chances of getting into the school and course you want.

Step 3: The Role of Cutoff Marks

Every course in each institution has a specific cutoff mark. This is the minimum score you need to be considered for admission into that course. Here’s how it works:

Determining Cutoff Marks: Each school sets its cutoff marks based on factors like the number of available spots and the performance of applicants.
Checking Your Eligibility: Compare your UTME score to the cutoff marks of the courses and schools you’re interested in. If your score meets or exceeds the cutoff, you’re eligible to apply.

Step 4: Post-UTME Screening

Some institutions conduct additional exams called post-UTME screenings. These tests further assess your readiness for the course you’ve applied for. Here’s what you need to know:

Register for Post-UTME: If your chosen institution requires a post-UTME screening, you’ll need to register for it separately.
Prepare for the Test: Similar to the UTME, you’ll need to study and prepare for the post-UTME test.
Take the Screening: On the day of the screening, you’ll go to the school and take the test.

Step 5: Compilation of Candidates

Once all tests are done, JAMB and the institutions start compiling lists of eligible candidates. Here’s what happens:

Ranking Candidates: JAMB ranks all the candidates based on their UTME scores. The higher your score, the better your chances of being considered.
Creating the List: JAMB compiles a list of candidates who meet the cutoff marks for each course and forwards it to the respective institutions.

Step 6: School’s Admission Exercise

Each institution then conducts its admission exercise based on its specific policies. This may include:

Reviewing Applications: The institution reviews all applications to ensure that the candidates meet their criteria, including UTME scores and other requirements.
Conducting Interviews: Some schools might conduct interviews or additional tests as part of their admission process.
Selecting Candidates: The institution selects candidates based on merit, catchment area, and other factors.

Step 7: Verification and Approval by JAMB

After the institution selects its candidates, the list is sent back to JAMB for verification. Here’s what happens next:

Checking Eligibility: JAMB verifies that all candidates on the list meet the necessary requirements.
Approving the List: Once verified, JAMB approves the list of candidates.

Step 8: Acceptance of Admission

The final step involves you, the candidate, accepting the admission offer. Here’s how it works:

Notification: If you’ve been offered admission, you’ll receive a notification through the JAMB CAPS (Central Admission Processing System).
Accept or Reject: You must log into your JAMB CAPS account to either accept or reject the offer. If you accept, your admission status is updated.
School’s Final Approval: After you accept the admission on JAMB CAPS, the institution will also update its records and officially admit you.

Important Points to Remember

Admission by Merit, Catchment Area, and ELDS

Merit Admission (45%): This is purely based on your UTME score and performance in any additional screenings.
Catchment Area (35%): Some schools have a policy to admit a certain percentage of students from their local area.
Educationally Less Developed States (ELDS, 20%): There are provisions to admit students from states considered less educationally developed to promote equal opportunities.

Can Schools Give Admission Without JAMB’s Approval?

No, they can’t. Here’s why:

JAMB’s Role: JAMB serves as the central body coordinating admissions into Nigerian tertiary institutions.
Approval Process: Schools can propose candidates, but JAMB must verify and approve them before the admission is finalized.
Requirements: JAMB ensures that all candidates meet the basic admission requirements, including valid UTME scores and O’level results.

Does JAMB Give Admission Before Schools?

Initial Admission: JAMB compiles and approves the list of candidates who meet the admission criteria for each institution.
School’s Role: The institution then reviews the list, makes necessary adjustments, and finalizes the admission.
Final Confirmation: JAMB’s approval is necessary before the institution can officially admit the candidate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is JAMB, and what role does it play in admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions?

JAMB stands for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board. It organizes entrance exams (UTME) and coordinates admissions into Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

How does JAMB determine admission into tertiary institutions?

JAMB uses a point-based system to rank candidates according to their UTME scores. Each institution has a cutoff mark for each course, and JAMB forwards a list of candidates who meet these cutoffs to the institutions.

Can a tertiary institution give admission without JAMB’s involvement?

No, JAMB must be involved. It coordinates and approves all admissions to ensure candidates meet the necessary requirements.

What factors are considered for admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions?

The primary factor is the UTME score, but other factors include O’level results, post-UTME screenings, and the availability of space in the desired course.

Can a candidate gain admission into a tertiary institution with a low UTME score?

Yes, if the candidate meets other criteria set by the institution. However, higher UTME scores generally improve the chances of admission.

Conclusion

This guide has provided a detailed, step-by-step explanation of how JAMB and Nigerian tertiary institutions collaborate to offer admission to candidates. By understanding each part of the process, from taking the UTME to accepting your admission offer, you can better navigate the admission process and improve your chances of success. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask in the comments section.