As the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) approaches, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has urged prospective candidates to be mindful when selecting their examination towns.
In a statement released on Sunday, JAMB’s spokesperson, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, expressed concerns over candidates’ unusual preferences for certain exam locations.
He revealed that spaces for the optional mock examination are rapidly filling up, with only 10 percent of slots remaining in nine states: Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, and Yobe.
The statement reads: “The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has emphasized that it does not select examination towns for candidates taking the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) or the Optional Mock examination. This clarification is particularly important as 90% of the available spaces for the optional mock exercise across the country have been filled, leaving only a few states with available slots.”
JAMB also noted that many candidates appear to be selecting certain towns in an attempt to secure a spot for the optional mock examination. However, the board cautioned against hasty decisions that might lead to candidates being placed in locations far from their homes.
“JAMB has observed unusual preferences among candidates regarding their choice of examination towns, likely in an effort to participate in the optional mock examination. This notice aims to advise candidates against desperately selecting examination towns, only to later accuse the Board of assigning them to examination towns that are far from their residences, towns, or states.”
The board reiterated that only a few states still have available slots for the mock exam and urged interested candidates to plan accordingly.
“The only states with remaining slots for the optional mock examination are Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, and Yobe. Candidates interested in taking the mock examination in these states are encouraged to select their examination towns accordingly.”
JAMB further emphasized the importance of selecting exam towns with travel logistics and personal convenience in mind.
“While candidates have the right to choose their preferred examination town, JAMB urges them to consider the implications of their choices. Some candidates may select towns that are quite distant, potentially outside their home state. The Board should not be held responsible for such decisions.
The Board allocates Mock examination spaces for candidates to select based on the availability of Mock examination centres, and once a town’s capacity is reached, it will no longer be available for selection.
The Board does not want to be overstressed, as the mock examination is only meant to give deserving candidates the opportunity to experience the CBT environment and enable the Board to test its facilities.
Candidates are encouraged to choose their examination towns consciously with travel logistics and convenience in mind, ensuring a smoother experience on examination day,” the statement said.
