In a recent interview with Arise Television, the spokesperson for the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Fabian Benjamin, shed light on the factors affecting the admission prospects of candidates with impressive scores in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
Benjamin emphasized that while high scores are commendable, admission decisions are not solely determined by them. Instead, they are influenced by the cut-off marks set by individual institutions and specific departments.
“Admission hinges on the cut-off marks established by schools and departments. There’s a common misconception that high scores guarantee admission, but that’s not always the case,” Benjamin stated.
He clarified the purpose of the UTME, explaining that it serves as a selection process rather than a straightforward pass-fail assessment.
“Our exam is not about passing or failing; it’s a selection process. Understanding its purpose is crucial,” Benjamin remarked.
He highlighted that even candidates scoring 300 or above might not secure admission if the demand for their chosen program is exceptionally high at a particular university.
Using the example of competitive courses like medicine, Benjamin illustrated how even a score of 320 might not suffice for admission into prestigious institutions like the University of Lagos due to overwhelming applicant numbers and limited slots.
Conversely, candidates targeting less competitive courses or institutions might secure admission with scores significantly lower than 200.
