Every year, thousands of candidates sit for the JAMB with high hopes—yet only a fraction eventually secure admission. The painful truth is this: many candidates don’t fail because they are not intelligent. They fail because of avoidable mistakes.
At MyStudentKit, we have studied years of UTME trends, candidate complaints, and admission outcomes. The patterns are clear. If you understand these mistakes early and avoid them, you significantly increase your chances of success in the 2026 UTME and beyond.
This guide breaks down the top 10 mistakes that make JAMB candidates fail UTME—and exactly what you should do instead.
10 Costly Mistakes JAMB Candidates Make
Here are the 10 common mistakes to avoid during JAMB registration and exam.
1. Choosing the Wrong Subject Combination
This is the beginning of failure for candidates that make this mistake.
Many students register for UTME without confirming the correct subject combination for their chosen course. The result? Even with a high score, you may be disqualified during admission screening.
Why this happens
- Guessing subject combinations
- Listening to friends instead of official sources
- Not checking university-specific requirements
What to do instead
- Confirm subject combinations using the official Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board brochure
- Cross-check requirements for each institution you intend to apply to
- Never assume all schools have the same criteria
2. Registering Late for JAMB
When you delay your JAMB registration, you increase the chances of making costly errors. You may tell yourself that you still have time, but before you realize it, deadlines are close and registration centres are crowded.
At that point, you are rushed. Your details may be entered incorrectly, your CBT centre options may be limited, and you may not even have time to cross-check your information properly. This stress often affects your preparation mindset as well.
Registering early gives you peace of mind. It allows you to confirm your details, correct mistakes, and focus fully on studying instead of panicking about deadlines.
Be well aware that 2026 JAMB registration ends on February 28, 2026.
3. NIN Errors and Mismatched Personal Details
If your NIN details do not match your JAMB registration, you are setting yourself up for serious problems. Even a small difference in name arrangement or date of birth can affect your admission.
You may not notice the issue immediately, but it often surfaces during Post-UTME or admission processing. At that stage, correcting the error becomes difficult or impossible.
To avoid this, you must ensure that your name, date of birth, and other details on your NIN are exactly the same as those used in your JAMB and O’Level records. Consistency is not optional—it is required.
4. Ignoring the Official JAMB Syllabus
If you study without using the JAMB syllabus, you are preparing blindly. You may read many textbooks and notes, but still miss the exact topics JAMB focuses on.
This mistake makes you feel prepared until you enter the exam hall and see unfamiliar questions. The problem is not that the questions are too hard—it is that you studied the wrong areas.
The syllabus shows you exactly what to study and what to ignore. When you follow it carefully, you save time and improve your chances of answering questions correctly.
See JAMB 2026 syllabus here.
5. Relying on “Expo” or Exam Runs
When you depend on expo, you relax when you should be studying. You convince yourself that answers will come from somewhere, so you reduce your personal effort.
On exam day, reality sets in. Either the expo does not come at all, or the answers are wrong, or the questions are completely different. At that moment, panic takes over because you are not prepared.
If you truly want to pass UTME, you must accept that there are no shortcuts. Your success depends on your preparation, not leaked answers that cannot be trusted.
TAKE YOUR JAMB MOCK TEST HERE
6. Poor Time Management During the CBT
You may know many answers, but if you cannot manage your time, your will likely fail. Spending too long on one question can cost you several easy ones.
This often happens when you insist on solving every question perfectly before moving on. Meanwhile, the clock keeps ticking, and pressure builds.
To avoid this, you must learn to skip difficult questions and return to them later. Time management is a skill you develop through consistent CBT practice by taking repeated mock tests.
READ: How To Register For JAMB 2026 | All You Should Know
7. Choosing a Course That Does Not Match Your Strengths
When you choose a course based on popularity or pressure, you make your journey harder than it needs to be. You may admire certain professions, but admiration alone cannot replace ability.
If you struggle with key subjects related to your chosen course, you will likely score low and miss the cut-off mark. This can lead to repeated attempts without success.
You need to be honest with yourself. Choose a course that aligns with your strengths, or consider smart alternatives that give you a better chance of admission. This is an avoidablemistake that most JAMB candidates make.
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8. Ignoring Post-UTME and School-Specific Requirements
Scoring high in UTME does not mean your admission is guaranteed. Many candidates relax after the exam and stop paying attention to school updates.
You may miss Post-UTME registration deadlines or fail to meet specific O’Level requirements. When results are released, your name is missing, and you are left confused.
Admission is a process, not a single exam. You must follow every stage carefully until your admission is confirmed.
Stay informed by joining Mystudentkit Post UTME and Admission WhatsApp Group for updates.
9. Printing Your Exam Slip Late
When you delay printing your exam slip, you risk unnecessary confusion. You may not know your exact exam time or CBT centre location until the last minute.
This can cause you to arrive late, get lost, or panic on exam day. CBT centres are strict, and arriving late can cost you the entire exam.
Printing your slip early allows you to plan properly, locate your centre ahead of time, and approach exam day calmly.
SEE ALSO: 13 Effective Time Management Tips For College Students
10. Not Practicing Past Questions Regularly
This is one of the common mistakes jamb candidates make. If you only read notes without practicing past questions, you are not fully prepared for UTME. The exam is not just about knowledge—it is about familiarity and speed.
Without practice, the CBT environment feels strange, and you may struggle with timing and confidence. This often leads to low scores, even when you understand the topics.
Practicing past questions regularly helps you understand question patterns, improve speed, and build confidence before the exam.
FAQs On Common Mistakes Made During JAMB
Some errors can be corrected, but others—like wrong subject combination—can cost you admission.
No. You must also meet Post-UTME and school-specific requirements.
The earlier, the better. Early preparation reduces pressure and improves confidence.
Yes—when combined with the syllabus and consistent practice.
Conclusion
If you want to succeed in UTME, you must avoid these mistakes deliberately. Your intelligence is important, but your decisions matter even more.
At MyStudentKit, our goal is to help you prepare smarter, avoid costly errors, and move closer to securing admission. Stay informed, stay focused, and make choices that work in your favour.
