JAMB Issues Warnings and Guidance for 2027 UTME Candidates
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has highlighted five common mistakes that prospective candidates must avoid to secure university admission.
As preparations for the 2027 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) gain momentum, prospective candidates have been advised to begin early preparations and avoid common mistakes that could jeopardize their chances of securing admission into their preferred institutions. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) outlined these major challenges in a video posted to its official X handle on Wednesday.
JAMB stressed that addressing these issues early helps candidates improve their examination performance and reduces avoidable admission setbacks. Among the primary pitfalls identified by the board is starting preparation too late. Many candidates reportedly delay serious studying until a few weeks or months before the examination, leaving them with insufficient time to cover the syllabus, practice past questions, and improve their understanding of difficult subjects.
To counteract this, candidates are encouraged to develop consistent reading habits, prepare a realistic study timetable, and begin covering the UTME syllabus well ahead of the examination date. Furthermore, the board warned against failing to make an informed choice of course and institution before registration. Some candidates register without properly understanding the admission requirements of their preferred paths.
Another critical mistake highlighted by JAMB is choosing the wrong UTME subject combination, which can render a candidate ineligible regardless of their score. Candidates must confirm specific subject requirements through the board's Integrated Brochure and Syllabus System (IBASS) platform. Additionally, candidates were urged to closely follow official JAMB updates, as missing announcements regarding registration procedures, deadlines, and examination schedules can cause unnecessary difficulties.
The fifth major error involves providing incorrect personal information during registration. Mistakes regarding names, dates of birth, National Identification Number (NIN) details, and telephone numbers can create severe verification challenges during both registration and admission processing. Candidates have been advised to verify that their personal details are accurate and consistent across all relevant records before visiting accredited registration centers.
In related developments concerning candidate documentation, JAMB previously announced the reopening of its NIN alignment service in October 2026. The board noted that this window serves as a one-time opportunity and that applications undergo rigorous verification before any approval is granted, requiring candidates to first correct their National Identity Management Commission records and gather supporting documents.
Ultimately, JAMB emphasized that success in the 2027 UTME requires much more than baseline academic preparation. Prospective candidates must make informed decisions, understand admission requirements, ensure accurate documentation, and consistently comply with official examination guidelines to avoid common setbacks.