Yomi Durojaye
The first day of the JAMB UTME is always intense—some candidates breeze through smoothly, while others face avoidable setbacks. If you’re writing soon, don’t let simple mistakes ruin months of preparation. Here are the biggest slip-ups from Day 1 and how to steer clear of them:
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| JAMB 2025: Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them |
1. Arriving Late to the Exam Centre:
One of the most heartbreaking reports from Day 1 was candidates arriving late—some by just minutes—and being turned away. Traffic, wrong directions, and oversleeping were common culprits.
How to Avoid It:
✔ Locate your centre a day before. Don’t rely on Google Maps alone—ask locals for confirmation.
✔ Leave home extra early. If your exam is at 6:30 AM, aim to arrive by 5:30 AM.
✔ Sleep early the night before. Set multiple alarms if needed.
Missing your exam over lateness is painful—don’t let it happen to you.
2. Not Reprinting the Exam Slip:
Several candidates showed up with outdated slips or none at all. Some printed theirs weeks ago and didn’t recheck for updates from JAMB.
What to Do Instead:
✔ Reprint your slip 24-48 hours before your exam.
✔ Print a physical copy (colour is best, but black & white works).
✔ Do NOT rely on your phone—you won’t be allowed to use it at the gate.
3. Forgetting Essential Materials:
JAMB doesn’t require much, but forgetting the few key items can get you disqualified.
Must-Have Items:
✅ JAMB reprint slip (with correct date & centre)
✅ HB pencil (for rough work, if allowed)
✅ Valid ID (NIN slip or school ID, if required)
✅ Transport money & light refreshments
Pack everything the night before in a transparent file.
4. Ignoring Instructions from Officials: Some candidates on Day 1 ignored simple rules—like seating arrangements or biometric procedures—and faced delays or disqualification.
Key Tips:
✔ Listen carefully to invigilators—they’re there to help.
✔ Follow biometric verification steps patiently.
✔ Stay calm and polite, even if things seem slow.
5. Panicking Over Different Question Sets: Many candidates were shocked that their questions didn’t match their neighbor’s. Some panicked, thinking theirs was harder.
The Truth:
🔹 JAMB shuffles questions to prevent cheating.
🔹 The difficulty level is the same—just the order changes.
🔹 Focus on your screen, not others’!
6. Skipping On-Screen Instructions: In their rush, some candidates missed important directions on the computer, leading to errors like early submission or unanswered questions.
What to Do:
📌 Take the first 2 minutes to read all instructions before clicking "Start."
📌 Use "Next" and "Previous" buttons carefully.
📌 Only click Submit when you’re 100% done.
7. Not Confirming Exam Details Early:
Some candidates went to the wrong centre or missed their slot because they didn’t double-check their slip.
Avoid This Mistake:
✔ Reconfirm your exam time and venue a day before.
✔ If the centre is unfamiliar, visit beforehand or ask for directions.
Final Advice for JAMB 2025 Candidates:
✅ Prepare early—don’t wait till the last minute.
✅ Rest well before your exam—a tired brain underperforms.
✅ Ignore exam "expo" scams—they’re fake and risky.
✅ Stay confident! You’ve prepared for this.
You’ve got this! Stay calm, follow these tips, and walk into that exam hall ready to succeed. Best of luck!
Got questions or more tips? Drop them in the comments!.
