The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Aina, has clarified that the board does not operate a single cut-off mark for candidates seeking admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions, explaining that it uses a system known as the Minimum Entry Score (MES).
Aina made the clarification in a statement shared via his official X account, where he explained how minimum entry scores are determined and disclosed that JAMB is exploring possible changes to the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The clarification comes amid ongoing discussions about candidates’ performance in the UTME and the admission requirements for universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
Why JAMB Says It Has No Single Cut-Off Mark
According to Aina, the minimum entry score is graded into categories because the UTME is a unified examination.
He explained that candidates’ score ranges determine their eligibility categories, rather than a single cut-off mark applying uniformly to every candidate and institution.
The registrar also stated that minimum entry scores are determined jointly by JAMB and tertiary institutions during the annual policy meeting on admissions, presided over by the Minister of Education.
He noted that the scores depend partly on candidates’ performance in a particular examination year.
“If all candidates score above 200 in a year, surely the score will be higher,” Aina explained, illustrating how overall performance could influence the minimum entry score.
He added that JAMB’s objective is to admit as many candidates as possible into tertiary institutions annually.
JAMB Explains Why Candidates’ Scores Are Not a Measure of Its Performance
The registrar further argued that candidates’ UTME scores should not automatically be interpreted as evidence of JAMB’s success or failure.
According to him, efforts to improve candidates’ performance should begin before they sit for the examination.
His position points to the importance of foundational education, teaching quality, students’ preparation and learning conditions in determining examination outcomes.
Major UTME Change? JAMB Considers Critical Thinking and Life Skills
Aina also disclosed that JAMB is examining the psychometric evaluation of its test items and investigating the possible inclusion of life skills and critical thinking in the UTME.
Psychometric evaluation involves assessing how effectively examination questions measure the abilities they are designed to test.
The proposed consideration of life skills and critical thinking could signal a broader discussion about assessing candidates’ reasoning, problem-solving and practical understanding, rather than relying heavily on memorisation.
However, the registrar’s statement indicates that these areas are under investigation. It does not confirm that the proposed changes have been approved or that an implementation date has been announced.
What the Clarification Means for Admission Seekers
The statement offers several important lessons for prospective students:
1. Meeting the minimum entry score does not guarantee admission. Candidates must also satisfy their chosen institution’s course requirements and other applicable admission conditions.
2. Admission requirements may differ. Institutions and programmes may have different requirements under the applicable national admission guidelines.
3. Candidates should prepare beyond memorisation. If critical thinking and life skills are eventually incorporated into the UTME, reasoning and problem-solving could become more prominent in the assessment.
4. Official admission guidelines remain essential. Candidates should check JAMB announcements and their institutions’ admission requirements before making decisions about their applications.
Conclusion
JAMB’s latest clarification highlights the distinction between a minimum entry score and the admission decisions made by individual institutions.
It also opens a discussion about possible changes to Nigeria’s tertiary entrance examination, particularly the assessment of critical thinking and life skills.
For now, candidates should treat the proposed reforms as areas under consideration until JAMB formally announces any approved changes.
Source: Professor Aina, JAMB Registrar, via his X account.