Jambites
As a fresh Jambite, how to pass my JAMB in flying colours was all I ever cared about. I had always had the notion that people who failed JAMB did so solely because they failed to read. Ha! Until, I got the shock of my life with my first JAMB score; I landed myself a score of 152!
Absolutely unbelievable! I wailed uncontrollably when I checked it. I had given almost 100% of my time to my JAMB lessons and preparatory classes. I had even asked my parents to buy my JAMB subject textbooks ahead of time so that I could complete the syllabus before even the time of examination. Sadly, in the end, I couldn’t even make it to the cutoff marks for my first and second Institutions of choice. Talk about frustration!
This very story was the tale of Opeyemi few years ago, until he decided to go back to the drawing board and really understand what went wrong before attempting his second JAMB examination.
Many times, Nigerian students are forced to believe that some examinations, especially JAMB, are just a matter of trial and error, a case of luck, to see who will be selected. Well, it’s easy to assume such with the way Jambites fail JAMB exams and the usual surprise factor that comes with the result checking.
JAMB was established in the year 1977. Before its establishment, University admission seekers either gained admission directly through Advanced Level of General Certificate of Education (GCE A/L) or through concessional entrance examination which could qualify them for admission into preliminary level.
However, with a sudden surge in the population of admission seekers, JAMB was established to ensure a uniform national standard of University education.JAMB examinations were paper-based with shading techniques as is used in WAEC. Subsequently, from the paper-based testing method, it graduated into the computer-based testing method.
Asides making the results faster to access,the CBT method reduced the number of failures recorded in those years, as a result of improper shading and missing scripts. However, this did not entirely make students perform even better as other factors still impede high performance in JAMB.
1.CAREFUL SURVEY: Just before you start to fill out your form and the institution you would love to attend, make a background check of these schools and how suitable they are for your desired course of study. Do they have better facilities than the one in your area? These are some of the things you take into consideration before deciding what school to settle for.
What department do I want to be in…?
This is where your childhood dreams come alive, this time with a lot of practicality. You would have been aspiring to become an astronaut only to discover that there’s no astronautical engineering department in the university you’ve been hoping to apply to.
A lot of things have to be put into cognizance when you’re settling for a course of choice. How competitive is it? These and more questions will help you prepare ahead, create a target score and put in all the necessary effort you would need to achieve it. It is also advisable you aim for an extremely high score because it helps you stand a better chance at gaining the desired admission.
2.STUDY; Yes, study. It is an examination isn’t it? It is imperative that as a Jambite, you should leave no stone unturned in ensuring that you get the desired high score you would need to get into the University. This study is not exclusive to just your subject combinations as the current admission process in Nigeria requires not just a high score but a corresponding excellent WAEC result as well. Every part of the examination you will be sitting for at this stage is extremely important. It is important you burn the midnight candles and get them done perfectly.
Also look out for JAMB practice CBT tests you could try out from time to time. The more you practice, the more you hone your speed and accuracy skills.
3. REGISTRATION; A lot of Jambites get confused at this stage. More so, the ever-ready-to-swindle illegal Jamb registration centres would not do anything to help this confusion even.
You must first ensure you are registering your JAMB at an accredited JAMB registration centre. This is to ensure you do it the right way and to avoid chances of getting duped or extorted.While going for your registration, go along with the necessary required information that would be needed for your registration.Get a book or paper where you can put down passwords,usernames etc. that will be generated that day,to avoid forgetting them.
Ensure that you create a personal email which you have access to, so that you can access important information that will be sent you by the JAMB Board from time to time. Some Jambites prefer to use their parents/guardians phone numbers. Make sure your parent or guardian gives you feedback from the mails or numbers you use; it is even more advisable to use yours.
Give special care to your login details. Do not leave your important JAMB details at random cybercafes or with the persons assisting you with the registration for security purposes.
The JAMB portal will be your surest source of information regarding all that concerns your JAMB registration.
3. GET PREPARED; Don’t be a procrastinator. Pack everything you’d need at least a day ahead of the examination day to avoid missing out on some or getting tensed. You could use a whole week before the examination week to draw up your checklist and get every required examination document ready. Reprint your slip early enough,get you ID, passport etc., ready.
4.PAY ATTENTION TO INSTRUCTIONS; You have to pay exceptional attention to instructions on the day of examination. This is no secondary school where mistakes can be corrected out of pity. Read your instructions thoroughly.
Avoid the submit button like a plaque until you’re certain you’re done attempting all the questions given.
Try not to get fidgety. As much as you can reassure yourself of your success. Go along with a snack, have your breakfast/lunch as the case may be, for a refreshing memory.Get adequate sleep on the eve of your examination day.. rest!
5.RESULT CHECKS; So, you’ve seen your JAMB score? Congratulations! However, if in any eventuality, you still are not able to reach the cutoff mark for your institution of choice, you would have to re-strategize. There is provision made, shortly after the release of your score, for a change in institution or course, as the case may be. Make your decision early enough, and change over if you have to before the window is closes.
Meanwhile do not forget to keep your result scratch card and print out safely. Start getting your documents ready for the next stage which would be post-UTME. Information should be something you wouldn’t want to run short of to avoid missing out on important deadlines.
The journey to your University admission begins right here. I hope you’ve bought your JAMB form at the point of reading this eh?
In case you have no idea, sales of JAMB forms have already begun for 2020, don’t say Ifeomachukwu didn’t tell you. Write out these steps and start taking action immediately!
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Great tips
Be sure to share them with your friends dear blessing, thank you for the review!