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Every year, millions of Nigerian students register for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination — but sadly, a large percentage fail to reach the required cut-off marks for admission. The reasons behind this trend go beyond just “not reading enough.” In this post, we’ll explore the real reasons why many students fail JAMB — and, more importantly, how you can avoid them and succeed in 2025 and beyond.
1. Poor Study Habits
Many students wait until the last minute to start preparing for JAMB. This leads to cramming, which is not effective for long-term memory retention. Others study without a clear plan or timetable.
Solution:
Start early — at least 3–6 months before the exam.
Create a simple, realistic study timetable.
Focus more on understanding than just memorizing.
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| Frustrated student with books |
2. Ignoring the JAMB Syllabus
One of the biggest mistakes is studying blindly without using the official JAMB syllabus. Students end up reading irrelevant topics and miss key areas that often appear in the exams.
Solution
Download the JAMB syllabus for each subject.
Use it to guide your textbook reading and practice.
3. Lack of CBT Practice
Since JAMB is now 100% computer-based (CBT), students who are not comfortable with using a computer often struggle — even if they know the answers.
Solution
Practice using JAMB CBT apps and websites.
Get used to reading and answering questions on a screen.
4. Relying Too Much on Expo or Runs
Some students fall into the trap of waiting for "expo" (leaked answers). Unfortunately, this leads to disappointment when the answers are wrong — or the student is caught and banned.
Solution
Don’t gamble your future. Prepare genuinely.
Focus on understanding the material so you don’t need “expo.”
5. Weak Math and English Skills
English and Mathematics are crucial subjects in JAMB. Poor performance in either can drag down your total score, especially for courses like Medicine, Engineering, or Law.
Solution:
Focus on English comprehension, summary, and lexis & structure.
Practice basic math daily, especially topics like probability, graphs, and statistics.
6. Not Practicing with Past Questions
Many students skip past questions or only use them in the last week. But JAMB often repeats question patterns, and practicing them builds confidence.
Solution:
Solve past questions regularly from reliable sources.
Time yourself to simulate real exam conditions.
7. Exam Anxiety and Poor Time Management
Some students know the material but panic on exam day. Others spend too much time on a few questions and run out of time.
Solution:
Practice under timed conditions often.
On exam day, stay calm, read questions carefully, and manage your time wisely.
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| Smiling student with laptop/books |
Final Thoughts
Passing JAMB is not about being a genius — it’s about preparation, discipline, and strategy. Avoiding the common mistakes above can place you miles ahead of thousands of candidates. Start preparing now, stay focused, and believe in yourself.
Are you preparing for JAMB 2025?
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