The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced plans to conduct a special mop-up examination for candidates who missed the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). This decision aims to accommodate approximately 5.6% of candidates who were unable to sit for the exam due to various reasons.
Background and Rationale
JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, disclosed this initiative during a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja. He emphasized that the board typically organizes a nationwide mop-up exam for candidates with valid reasons for missing the initial test. However, this year, the board has decided to extend the opportunity to all affected candidates, regardless of the reason for their absence.
Professor Oloyede explained that this approach aligns with academic practices where makeup examinations are provided to ensure fairness. He stated, “In class, you make up an examination when students miss it for one reason or the other; we just don’t allow abuse of that.”
Addressing Technical Challenges
The 2025 UTME faced technical glitches, particularly in parts of the South-East and Lagos State, which disrupted the examination process for some candidates. Professor Oloyede acknowledged the emotional toll of these challenges and revealed that he initially considered resigning but was advised against it to avoid abandoning the affected students.
He also criticized those questioning the swift rescheduling of the exam, explaining the tight academic calendar that UTME candidates must adhere to. “Once JAMB conducts its UTME, from May, WASSCE starts… and immediately NECO starts, and immediately NABTEB follows,” he noted, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
Clarifying the Purpose of UTME
Professor Oloyede reiterated that the UTME is a placement test designed to rank candidates for available spaces in tertiary institutions, not an achievement test to measure intelligence or overall academic potential. He emphasized that a high UTME score is not the sole determinant of admission, as combined performance, including post-UTME scores and school assessments, significantly affects a candidate’s ranking.
Next Steps for Candidates
JAMB has assured that the date for the special mop-up examination will be announced soon. The board remains committed to transparency and fairness in the examination process and urges all affected candidates to stay informed through official JAMB channels.
For candidates in Port Harcourt and other regions, it is advisable to regularly check the JAMB website and official announcements for updates on the mop-up examination schedule and guidelines.
Related Articles
- JAMB Reschedules 379,997 Candidates for 2025 UTME
- JAMB Boss Tearfully Apologizes Over UTME Mistakes
- JAMB Considers Review of UTME 2025 Results After Backlash
- JAMB Releases 2025 UTME Results: Key Statistics, Malpractice Concerns, and How to Check Your Score
- Statistical Analysis of JAMB 2025 UTME Results
- JAMB Shifts 2025 UTME Commencement Date
- JAMB Plans to Punish 180 Candidates for Using Fake Websites
- How to Reprint JAMB UTME Exam Slip 2025 on Phone & PC
- JAMB Releases 2025 UTME Mock Results
- JAMB 2025 Direct Entry Registration Continues Until Further Notice
- Mock Notification Slip Ready for Printing
- 2024 IJMB and JUPEB Direct Entry Candidates: Upload Your Results or Risk Losing Admission
- JAMB Sets New Date for Mock Exam
- Things to Take to the JAMB Exam Hall, 2025/2026
