JAMB is the body in charge of admission into all NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES, polytechnics and colleges of education.
It conducts the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE) screening.
See everything you need to know, from who can register and how, to the exam format, results, admission through CAPS, and the Direct Entry route.
What JAMB registration means
You can’t be admitted into any Nigerian tertiary institution without JAMB REGISTRATION.
Registration gives you a JAMB profile, which is used for the exam and admission through the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS).
UTME is for candidates seeking admission into the Year 1.
While Direct Entry (DE) is for those seeking entry into Year Two (200 level) or more, with extra qualifications like A-level, ND, NCE or IJMB.
Direct Entry (DE)
DE registration is separate from UTME and done only at JAMB zonal and state offices.
- See JAMB DIRECT ENTRY GUIDE
Who can register for JAMB?
- You must be at least 16 years old by 30th September of that exam year. Underage candidates may apply but through special evaluation.
- Those from foreign countries can also register for UTME.
- You need an NIN, as your JAMB profile code is created from it.
Education and agriculture courses
Candidates seeking to study Education and non-engineering Agriculture courses no longer need to sit UTME.
This applies to NCE admission with at least four credits in the relevant O’level subjects.
You still register with JAMB for CAPS, but your admission is now based only on your O’Level results.
Agricultural engineering courses are NOT included.
If your course is on the exempted list, confirm the current rules before paying for UTME.
- SEE FULL LIST OF EXEMPTED COURSES
How to register for JAMB
- Get your NIN if you don’t have one.
- Create your profile code by SMS, using the phone number linked to your NIN.
- Buy your e-PIN from the channels JAMB approves.
- Register at an accredited CBT centre or registration centre, where your biodata and fingerprints are captured. DE registration is only done at JAMB zonal and state offices.
- Choose your subjects, institutions and course. Use of English is compulsory, and the other three subjects must match your course.
- Verify your slip and confirm your details before you leave the centre. Biodata errors are expensive to correct later.
Fees change often to include the e-PIN, English novel, CBT centre charges and optional mock.
Confirm the CURRENT JAMB FEES before paying.
JAMB English novel
JAMB announces the recommended text before registration in November or December.
It is included in the registration charge.
JAMB offices and CBT centres
JAMB has its headquarters in Bwari, Abuja, but with offices in every state nationwide.
Visit a state office for matters that need you in-person, like DIRECT ENTRY REGISTRATION, biodata corrections and password or email recovery.
For UTME registration and the exam, use only JAMB-ACCREDITED CBT CENTRES listed for that year.
Some JAMB state offices handle ONLY registration and are NOT exam centres.
General caution:
- Confirm the CBT centre is on the current JAMB accredited list.
- Collect your receipt and registration slip.
- Never share your profile code, email or password with anyone.
JAMB UTME format
UTME is a Computer-Based Test (CBT) in four subjects:
- Use of English
- Three other subjects relevant to your course
Each subject is scored over 100 to give a maximum of 400.
Beyond PDF and textbook, also PRACTICE JAMB CBT to get used to the exam pressure under timed conditions.
Materials for JAMB exam success
Our JAMB STUDY PACK covers past questions and CBT practice across the all subjects.
Focus on the subject combination for your own course and study alongside with the JAMB SYLLABUS.
- See JAMB PAST QUESTIONS FOR ALL SUBJECTS
JAMB mock exam
The mock is optional and held about 3 weeks before the main exam, letting you experience the CBT environment ahead of time.
It costs an extra charge when you choose it during registration.
JAMB exam dates
The 2026 UTME held from April 16 to 25, with the mock on March 28 and registration from January 26 to February 28.
The 2027 dates are 15 to 25 March.
Your own exam date within this period, as well as time and centre will appear on your reprinted exam slip in due time.
- See JAMB EXAM SLIP PRINTING
Exam day
Arrive early with your exam slip and a valid ID.
Biometric verification is compulsory, and JAMB no longer reschedules candidates who fail it.
Electronic devices are NOT allowed in the hall.
Checking your JAMB result
JAMB releases UTME results in batches few days or a week after the exam.
There are two official ways to check yours.
By SMS:
- Use the same phone number (SIM) you registered with.
- Ensure you have enough airtime for charges.
- Send UTMERESULT to 55019 or 66019.
- Your score arrives by SMS.
Online:
- Log in at efacility.jamb.gov.ng with your JAMB email and password to check your result and print your official result slip.
Printing carries a fee.
Important
- Use only JAMB official sites. There is no official JAMB mobile app for result checking.
- An SMS is only a notification. Print your official result slip, because schools ask for it during screening.
- Never edit an SMS or slip. Result manipulation is a criminal offence and schools verify scores.
- If your result is withheld, log in to the e-Facility portal to see whether JAMB has asked you for documents, then check again after 24 to 72 hours.
- Use the “Forgot Password” option or visit a JAMB office with your registration details to retrieve password.
See HOW TO CHECK JAMB RESULT
JAMB cut-off marks
There are three different “cut-offs”:
- JAMB cut off is the lowest minimum, often 150 for universities and colleges of nursing and 100 for polytechnics and monotechnics.
- The school’s cut-off is set by the individual institution which is either higher than or the same with JAMB, never lower.
- Departmental cut-off mark is also set by the school but for each course based on how competitive the course is. It is also NEVER lower than JAMB cut-off.
So, meeting JAMB cut-off does NOT guarantee admission.
Schools still set their own minimum score to qualify for their post-UTME or screening.
Admission with a low JAMB score
A low score doesn’t end your options. Here’s what to try:
- If you’re at 100 or above, polytechnics are open to you. 150+ and universities and nursing colleges open too.
- Use JAMB CHANGE OF COURSE OR INSTITUTION to pick a less competitive course or school.
- UTME score is no longer required for NCE so, consider colleges of education.
- Take a foundation or A-level route (IJMB, JUPEB) to enter 200 level via direct entry.
- Resit UTME next year with a better JAMB STUDY PLAN.
Never pay anyone to “upgrade” your score.
It is a photoshop scam of paper editing which will NEVER reflect on JAMB portal.
And schools verify scores on JAMB portal.
JAMB CAPS and post-UTME
Admission is processed on CAPS where you ‘accept’ or ‘reject’ offers from schools.
- Print your result slip and keep several copies.
- Check that your names match on your O’Level and JAMB records. Mismatches cause problems during screening.
- Upload your O’Level results on JAMB CAPS. Most schools make this compulsory for admission, and with a deadline.
- Check your subject combination. If it doesn’t fit your course, change your course through CAPS.
- Find your school post-UTME or screening notice. It states who is eligible, the fee, date and documents. Many schools now screen online.
- Complete screening. SCHOOLS THAT DON’T WRITE Post-UTME rank candidates by combining UTME scores and O’Level grades.
- Monitor CAPS for your admission status and accept or reject offers promptly.
Anyone who misses screening or the O’Level upload is not considered for admission.
Many institutions now run online screening instead, but some still conduct the actual post-UTME exam.
Admission without JAMB or UTME
“Without JAMB” can mean different things:
- No UTME is required for Education and non-engineering Agriculture courses. But you still register with JAMB for CAPS.
- IJMB, JUPEB and other A-level programs run for a year and lead to 200-level admission without UTME, but via JAMB Direct Entry.
- National Open University (NOUN) runs open and distance learning that doesn’t require UTME for admission.
- Foreign universities don’t use UTME and you can STUDY ABROAD FROM NIGERIA
Always confirm the institution is accredited by NUC before paying for any “no JAMB” program.
- See HOW TO GAIN ADMISSION WITHOUT JAMB
Detailed JAMB UTME guide
The topics below are detailed from subject combination to registration, syllabus to past questions, success tips to exam dates, result checking and cut-off marks.
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