The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued a strong warning to candidates sitting for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to avoid making desperate choices when selecting their examination towns.
JAMB’s spokesperson, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, in a statement released yesterday in Abuja, emphasized that the board does not assign examination towns to candidates but allows them to make their own selections. This clarification comes as the demand for slots in certain locations has surged, particularly for the optional mock examination.
“JAMB has observed unusual preferences among candidates regarding their choice of examination towns, likely in an effort to participate in the optional mock examination,” Benjamin stated. He further cautioned that some candidates, in their desperation, are selecting towns far from their places of residence and later blaming JAMB for assigning them distant locations.
According to Benjamin, about 90 percent of the available spaces for the optional mock examination have already been filled, leaving only a few states with open slots. “The only states with remaining slots for the optional mock examination are Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, and Yobe. Candidates interested in taking the mock examination in these states are encouraged to select their examination towns accordingly,” he said.
While acknowledging candidates’ right to choose their preferred examination towns, Benjamin stressed the need for careful consideration. He warned that some applicants might inadvertently select towns far outside their home states, leading to travel difficulties, for which JAMB should not be blamed.
“The board allocates mock examination spaces for candidates to select based on the availability of mock examination centres, and once a town’s capacity is reached, it will no longer be available for selection,” Benjamin explained.
He further noted that the mock examination is primarily designed to familiarize candidates with the Computer-Based Test (CBT) environment and to help JAMB assess its facilities ahead of the main UTME. “The board does not want to be overstressed, as the mock examination is only meant to give deserving candidates the opportunity to experience the CBT environment and enable the board to test its facilities.
“Candidates are encouraged to choose their examination towns consciously, with travel logistics and convenience in mind, ensuring a smoother experience on examination day,” he added.
With this warning, JAMB aims to prevent unnecessary challenges for candidates while ensuring a seamless examination process.
