The joy of scoring high in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) may be short-lived for some candidates, as the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has revealed that a high score is no guarantee of admission into tertiary institutions.
In a recent interview with Arise Television, JAMB Spokesman, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, explained that while a high score is important, it is just one of the many factors considered in the admission process. “A candidate may score 300 or more in the UTME, but if their subject combination is not in line with the institution’s requirements, they may not be admitted,” Dr. Benjamin said.
He further explained that institutions have different admission quotas, and even with a high score, a candidate may still be denied admission if the institution has already reached its quota. “We are committed to upholding the principles of meritocracy and ensuring that only the most deserving candidates are admitted into our tertiary institutions,” Dr. Benjamin emphasized.
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For instance, a candidate who scores 320 in the UTME may be denied admission into a competitive course like Medicine or Law if their subject combination is not suitable, while a candidate with a lower score but the right subject combination may be admitted.
Dr. Benjamin advised candidates to carefully consider their subject combination and institution choices to increase their chances of admission. “It’s not just about scoring high, it’s about meeting the requirements of the institution and the course you want to study,” he said.
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This revelation may come as a shock to some candidates who thought a high score was all they needed to secure admission, but it’s a reminder that admission into tertiary institutions is a highly competitive process and requires more than just a high score to succeed.”