UTME 2025: JAMB issues fresh warning to candidates

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has cautioned candidates sitting for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) against making desperate choices when selecting their examination towns.

JAMB’s spokesperson, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, issued the warning in a statement released in Abuja on Sunday, clarifying that the board does not assign examination towns to candidates but allows them to choose based on availability.

He noted that the advisory became necessary as 90 percent of the available slots for the optional mock examination had already been taken, leaving only a few states with vacancies.

“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.

“This notice is to caution candidates against making hasty choices only to later accuse the Board of assigning them to locations far from their residences.”

He revealed that the only states with remaining mock exam slots are Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, and Yobe, urging interested candidates to select their towns accordingly.

Benjamin further emphasized that while candidates have the right to choose their preferred examination towns, they must consider the implications, especially regarding travel distance and logistics.

“Some candidates may unknowingly select towns that are far from their homes or even outside their states. The Board should not be blamed for such choices,” he said.

He explained that JAMB allocates exam centers based on available slots, and once a town reaches its full capacity, it becomes unavailable for selection.

“The optional mock exam is designed to familiarize candidates with the Computer-Based Test (CBT) environment and to enable JAMB to assess its facilities. It is not mandatory,” Benjamin stated.

He advised candidates to make informed decisions when choosing their exam towns to ensure a smooth experience on the test day.