JAMB Announces Mop-Up Exam for 5.6% of 2025 UTME Candidates Who Missed Their Exams

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced a special mop-up examination for candidates who missed the 2025 UTME. According to JAMB Registrar Professor Ishaq Oloyede, this opportunity will accommodate over 5.6% of registered candidates who were unable to sit for the examination, regardless of their reasons.

What is a Mop-Up Exam?

A mop-up examination is a special makeup test conducted for candidates who missed the main examination period. JAMB's decision to hold this mop-up shows the board's commitment to ensuring no candidate loses their opportunity due to circumstances beyond their control.

Who Qualifies for the Mop-Up Exam?

The mop-up exam is specifically for candidates who:

• Registered for the 2025 UTME but did not take the exam
• Missed their scheduled exam date for any reason (illness, transportation issues, family emergencies, technical problems, etc.)
• Were registered but didn't receive exam notification or had scheduling conflicts

Professor Oloyede emphasized that JAMB will not discriminate based on the reason for missing the exam. Whether you missed due to health issues, transportation problems, or any other circumstance, you're eligible if you were registered but didn't write.

How Many Candidates Are Affected?

Over 5.6% of all registered 2025 UTME candidates missed their exams. While JAMB hasn't released exact total registration numbers yet, if we assume approximately 1.8-2 million candidates registered (typical JAMB numbers), that means roughly 100,000-110,000 candidates could benefit from this mop-up exam.

This is a significant number of students who would have lost their admission opportunity for 2025 without this intervention.

Understanding JAMB's Purpose

Professor Oloyede clarified an important point about the UTME: "The UTME serves as a placement test, not a test of intelligence or a student's overall academic potential."

What does this mean?

• JAMB is designed to rank candidates for limited tertiary institution admission slots
• It's a placement mechanism, not a measure of your intelligence or worth
• The exam helps universities and polytechnics determine who gets admitted when spaces are limited
• Your JAMB score is just one factor in the admission process

This perspective helps reduce the pressure and anxiety many candidates feel about JAMB.

When Will the Mop-Up Exam Hold?

JAMB has announced that specific dates will be released shortly. The board didn't provide exact dates in this announcement but assured candidates that information will come soon.

Based on previous JAMB mop-up patterns, expect:

• Dates to be announced within 1-2 weeks of this announcement (likely early June 2025)
• The exam itself to hold 2-3 weeks after date announcement (possibly mid-to-late June 2025)
• Notification via JAMB's official website, SMS, and email to registered candidates

How to Prepare While Waiting

If you missed the main UTME, don't waste time waiting for the mop-up date. Use this period to:

1. Continue Studying: Keep practicing with past questions and study materials
2. Practice on Ulearngo: Use Ulearngo's JAMB practice platform to strengthen your weak areas
3. Monitor JAMB Channels: Check www.jamb.gov.ng daily for mop-up date announcement
4. Verify Your Registration: Ensure your 2025 UTME registration is complete and valid
5. Prepare Logistics: Plan transportation and accommodation in advance to avoid missing the mop-up too

JAMB's Commitment to Fairness

Professor Oloyede addressed public concerns about exam conduct and integrity. He took personal responsibility for ensuring fairness and called on Nigerians to avoid "ethnic profiling and misinformation" regarding JAMB's processes.

The Registrar reaffirmed JAMB's commitment to:

• Fairness: Treating all candidates equally regardless of background
• Equity: Providing opportunities for those who faced genuine challenges
• Transparency: Operating openly and communicating clearly with stakeholders

What If You Already Wrote the UTME?

If you already took the 2025 UTME and received your result, the mop-up exam doesn't apply to you. You cannot:

• Register for the mop-up to "improve" your score
• Write the exam a second time if you're unhappy with your first result
• Use the mop-up as a do-over opportunity

The mop-up is strictly for candidates who did not write at all, not for those seeking better scores.

Common Reasons Candidates Miss JAMB

Understanding why over 100,000 candidates missed the exam:

• Transportation issues: Inability to reach exam centers on time, especially in remote areas
• Health emergencies: Sudden illness, accidents, or medical conditions
• Family emergencies: Unexpected family situations requiring immediate attention
• Technical problems: Biometric verification failures, system glitches at exam centers
• Notification failures: Not receiving exam date/venue information
• Financial constraints: Inability to afford transportation or accommodation for exam day

JAMB's decision to accommodate all these situations shows understanding of the real challenges Nigerian students face.

Stay Updated

Monitor these official JAMB channels for mop-up exam dates:

• Website: www.jamb.gov.ng
• Twitter/X: @JAMBHQ
• SMS: Check the phone number you used during registration
• Email: Monitor the email address you provided at registration

Don't rely on unofficial sources or rumors. Only trust information from JAMB's verified channels.

If you missed the 2025 UTME, this is your second chance. Start preparing now, monitor official announcements, and make sure you don't miss the mop-up exam date when it's announced.