ABUJA, May 6, 2025 – The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has revealed that fewer than one per cent of candidates scored above 300 in the recently concluded 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), with over 77 per cent of candidates scoring below 200.
According to official statistics released by JAMB, out of the 1,955,069 candidates who sat for the exam nationwide, only 420,415 scored above 200, representing about 23 per cent. The data also showed that approximately 75 per cent of test-takers scored below 200, signaling a significant drop in high-scoring candidates.
The report highlights a concerning trend in academic performance, with less than one per cent attaining scores above 300—the benchmark traditionally considered for highly competitive courses and institutions.
JAMB also disclosed that 40,247 underage candidates were allowed to sit for the examination under a special provision to assess their exceptional ability. However, only 467 of them—just 1.16 per cent—met the high-performance threshold, with their complete assessment still pending further evaluation stages.
On examination integrity, the board reported that 97 candidates were directly involved in examination infractions, while 2,157 others are currently under investigation for suspected malpractices. JAMB also noted that 71,701 candidates were absent from the examination, and candidates experiencing biometric verification issues are undergoing screening to determine eligibility for a rescheduled exam.
Additionally, the examination board stated that results for some candidates, including those with visual impairments and others under the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG), are still being processed. A comprehensive press briefing to announce individual results and further analysis is expected later this week.
The dismal performance trend has already sparked concerns among educators and stakeholders about the quality of secondary education and exam preparedness across the country.
Would you like a comparison of this year’s results to previous years for context?