As preparations for the 2027 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) gather momentum, prospective candidates have been encouraged to take their preparations seriously and avoid mistakes that could affect their chances of gaining admission into their preferred institutions.
Every year, thousands of Nigerian students sit for the UTME with the hope of securing admission into universities, polytechnics and colleges of education. While many candidates concentrate on reading textbooks, attending lessons and practising past questions, some overlook other important aspects of the admission process.
These overlooked issues can create unnecessary problems, even for candidates who perform well in the examination. Selecting an unsuitable course, choosing the wrong subject combination, delaying preparation or providing incorrect personal information during registration can affect a candidate’s admission prospects.
Recent guidance on preparations for the 2027 UTME has highlighted five major mistakes candidates should avoid: late preparation, poor course and institution selection, incorrect subject combinations, failure to follow official announcements and registration errors.
To help prospective candidates prepare effectively, we have explained these mistakes and provided practical steps they can take to avoid them ahead of the 2027 examination.
1. Starting UTME Preparation Too Late
One of the biggest mistakes candidates make when preparing for JAMB is waiting until the examination is approaching before beginning serious studies.
Some students believe they have enough time and can cover the entire syllabus within a few weeks. Unfortunately, this approach often creates unnecessary pressure and leaves candidates struggling to understand important topics before the examination date.
The UTME requires candidates to demonstrate a good understanding of four examination subjects. Depending on the course, these subjects may cover several topics that require adequate preparation, regular practice and revision.
Leaving preparation until the last minute can make it difficult to cover the syllabus, understand challenging concepts and develop the speed required for a computer-based examination.
How to avoid this mistake
We advise candidates preparing for the 2027 UTME to begin studying early rather than waiting for JAMB to announce the examination timetable.
Here are practical steps to follow:
- Download the official JAMB syllabus: Use the syllabus to identify the topics you are expected to study in each subject.
- Create a reading timetable: Allocate specific periods to your four UTME subjects and follow the schedule consistently.
- Practise past questions: Solve previous UTME questions to understand the examination pattern and identify topics that require more attention.
- Identify difficult topics: Spend additional time studying subjects and topics you find challenging.
- Take regular mock tests: Practise answering questions within a limited time to improve your speed and accuracy.
Candidates should also avoid relying entirely on memorisation. Understanding concepts, practising questions and reviewing mistakes are important parts of effective preparation.
Starting early gives candidates sufficient time to prepare without unnecessary examination pressure.
2. Choosing the Wrong Course or Institution
Another common mistake prospective UTME candidates must avoid is choosing a course or institution without properly checking the admission requirements.
Some candidates select courses simply because their friends are interested in them, while others choose institutions because of their popularity or reputation. Although these factors may influence personal decisions, they should not replace proper admission research.
Every institution has specific admission requirements for its programmes. These requirements may include minimum O’Level credit passes, particular UTME subject combinations and other conditions set by the institution.
For example, a candidate interested in studying Medicine and Surgery should not assume that the admission requirements are the same as those for Computer Science, Law or Economics. Each programme has its own requirements, which candidates must confirm before making their choices.
Choosing a course without understanding its requirements could create difficulties during the admission process, even when the candidate obtains a competitive UTME score.
How to avoid this mistake
Before completing your 2027 UTME registration, we recommend taking the following steps:
- Decide on the course you genuinely want to study based on your interests, academic strengths and career goals.
- Research the universities, polytechnics or colleges of education offering the programme.
- Check the required O’Level subjects and minimum credit passes.
- Compare admission requirements across your preferred institutions.
- Confirm whether you meet the requirements before making your final choices.
It is equally important to understand that selecting a popular university does not automatically improve your admission chances. Candidates should consider their academic qualifications, institutional requirements and available admission opportunities.
Use JAMB’s official IBASS Eligibility Checker to check available programmes and their admission requirements.
Making an informed course and institution choice before registration can help candidates avoid unnecessary admission complications.
3. Choosing the Wrong JAMB Subject Combination
Incorrect UTME subject combinations are another serious mistake candidates must avoid when registering for the 2027 examination.
JAMB requires candidates to select the appropriate subjects for their intended courses. However, some students make their choices without checking the official requirements for their preferred programmes.
For example, a candidate may select a combination of subjects that appears suitable but does not meet the requirements of the institution or course being considered.
This is particularly important because a good UTME score alone does not automatically make a candidate eligible for admission. Candidates must also satisfy the subject requirements for their chosen programmes.
A student who performs exceptionally well in the examination could still encounter admission difficulties if the selected subject combination does not meet the requirements of the intended course.
How to avoid choosing the wrong subjects
To prevent this mistake, candidates should use JAMB’s official Integrated Brochure and Syllabus System (IBASS) before completing their registration.
Follow these steps:
- Visit the official JAMB IBASS platform at ibass.jamb.gov.ng.
- Locate the eligibility or course requirements section.
- Select your preferred institution.
- Search for the course or programme you intend to study.
- Check the required UTME subjects and O’Level qualifications.
- Confirm that your selected subjects match the requirements before registration.
We strongly advise candidates not to depend entirely on subject combinations shared on WhatsApp groups, Facebook pages or unofficial education websites. Such information may be incomplete, outdated or unsuitable for a particular institution.
Where there is uncertainty, candidates should consult the official IBASS platform or contact JAMB through its recognised support channels.
Important: Do not assume that a subject combination suitable for one course will automatically be accepted for another course. Always verify the specific requirements for your intended programme.
4. Ignoring Official JAMB Announcements and Updates
Failure to follow official JAMB announcements is another mistake that could expose candidates to unnecessary problems during the 2027 UTME registration and admission process.
Every examination cycle comes with important information concerning registration procedures, application deadlines, examination schedules, approved CBT centres and other requirements.
Unfortunately, some candidates depend on rumours and unverified information circulating on social media instead of checking announcements directly from JAMB.
This can result in missed deadlines, incorrect registration decisions and unnecessary confusion.
For example, a candidate who relies on an unofficial registration date may incorrectly assume that the registration period has not started or has already ended. Similarly, someone who follows an outdated payment instruction could experience difficulties during the application process.
Where to get reliable 2027 UTME updates
We encourage candidates and parents to obtain examination information directly from official sources.
- JAMB official website: Visit www.jamb.gov.ng regularly for official announcements and examination information.
- JAMB official social media accounts: Follow the Board’s verified communication channels for announcements and important updates.
- JAMB support portal: Use JAMB Support when you need clarification or assistance with registration-related issues.
- Accredited CBT centres: Consult JAMB-approved centres for registration guidance and other relevant services.
Candidates should also be careful when dealing with individuals who claim to have special connections with JAMB officials or promise guaranteed admission, examination questions or score upgrades.
No candidate should pay money to unauthorised individuals based on promises of examination assistance or guaranteed admission.
Staying informed through official channels will help candidates make better decisions throughout the examination and admission process.
5. Providing Incorrect Personal Information During JAMB Registration
Providing incorrect personal information during registration is another important mistake candidates should avoid ahead of the 2027 UTME.
JAMB registration involves personal information that must be accurate and consistent with the candidate’s official records. Errors involving names, dates of birth, National Identification Number (NIN), telephone numbers and other biodata can create difficulties during registration, examination verification and admission processing.
For instance, a candidate whose name on the NIN differs from the name on the O’Level certificate may encounter avoidable verification problems. The same applies to incorrect dates of birth and other personal details.
JAMB’s published registration guidance emphasises the importance of ensuring that candidates’ NIN particulars agree with information on their supporting documents.
Important details to check before registration
Before generating your profile code or visiting an approved CBT centre, carefully review the following information:
- Full name: Ensure your name is correctly recorded and consistent with your official supporting documents.
- Date of birth: Check that your date of birth is accurate.
- Gender: Confirm that the information is correct across your relevant records.
- NIN details: Ensure that your National Identification Number is correct and belongs to you.
- Telephone number: Use your personal, functional mobile number as required by JAMB.
- Email address: Provide a valid email address that you can access whenever necessary.
- O’Level results: Check your examination details and grades carefully.
JAMB’s official guidance also states that candidates must use unique mobile numbers for their registration. Two candidates, including siblings, should not use the same registered phone number.
Furthermore, candidates are required to complete their registration at JAMB-approved CBT centres rather than relying on unauthorised registration agents or ordinary cybercafés.
What should candidates do if they notice an error?
If you discover an error in your personal information, do not ignore it or attempt to solve the problem by obtaining another UTME application document.
Instead, seek guidance through JAMB’s official support channels and follow the approved correction procedure. JAMB’s FAQ explains that candidates should seek correction from the Board rather than register more than once when an error occurs.
Candidates should also review every detail entered during registration before confirming the information through biometric authentication.
Additional Tips for Candidates Preparing for the 2027 UTME
Avoiding the five mistakes discussed above can help candidates prepare more effectively. However, there are other important practices that can improve their readiness for the examination.
Study with the official JAMB syllabus
The syllabus should serve as a guide throughout your preparation. Avoid reading randomly without knowing the topics required for your selected subjects.
Improve your computer-based examination skills
The UTME is conducted as a computer-based examination. Candidates who are not familiar with the examination interface should practise using available CBT preparation platforms and mock tests.
Regular practice can help improve confidence, time management and the ability to navigate examination questions.
Manage your examination time properly
Time management is essential when answering UTME questions. Candidates should practise completing questions within the allocated time and avoid spending too long on a single difficult question.
Keep your registration information safe
Protect your profile code, email access, passwords, e-PIN and other registration details. Do not share sensitive information with strangers or individuals claiming to offer unofficial admission assistance.
Verify examination-day instructions
Before the examination, read the official 2027 UTME instructions carefully. Pay attention to your examination date, assigned centre, arrival time, identification and prohibited items.
JAMB’s 2026 examination guidance prohibited items such as mobile phones, watches, calculators and other electronic devices in the examination venue. Candidates should check the final 2027 instructions for the applicable examination-day rules rather than assume that previous-year guidelines are unchanged.
Conclusion
Preparing for the 2027 UTME requires more than reading textbooks and practising past questions. Candidates must also make informed admission decisions, choose the correct subject combinations, follow official announcements and provide accurate information during registration.
We encourage all prospective candidates to begin their preparation early and take every stage of the examination process seriously. Avoiding these five common mistakes can help reduce unnecessary setbacks and put candidates in a better position to pursue admission into their preferred institutions.
Remember that admission preparation begins long before the examination day. Make the right decisions, use reliable information and stay committed to your academic goals.
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