The 2025 UTME began nationwide on Thursday, April 24, with thousands of candidates sitting for their CBT exams. While many candidates had a smooth experience, others made critical errors that could affect their performance—or even disqualify them entirely.

This post highlights real issues reported by candidates on Day 1, along with practical advice to help you avoid those same pitfalls if your exam is still ahead.

1. Arriving Late to the Exam Centre
One of the most frequent and damaging mistakes was arriving late. Some candidates underestimated how early they needed to leave home and got caught in traffic or lost their way. Sadly, a few were denied entry entirely.

How to avoid this:

• Visit your exam centre a day before your exam to avoid getting lost.
• Leave home at least 1.5 to 2 hours before your scheduled time.
• If your exam is for 6:30 AM, aim to be at the centre by 5:30 AM.
• Go to bed early the night before to avoid oversleeping.

2. Not Reprinting the JAMB Slip Close to the Exam Date
Some candidates showed up with outdated exam slips or didn’t bring any at all. JAMB occasionally updates exam details like time or venue, so the version you printed weeks ago may no longer be valid.

What to do:

• Reprint your JAMB slip at least 1–3 days before the exam.
• Print a physical copy (black and white is fine).
• Do not rely on your phone to display the slip—you won’t be allowed to use it at the gate.

3. Forgetting Essential Exam Materials
Even though JAMB doesn’t ask for many items, forgetting the few required ones—like your exam slip—can get you turned away at the gate.

What to bring:

• Your JAMB reprinted slip (clearly printed).
• A valid form of ID (if requested), such as NIN slip or school ID.
• HB pencil (optional, for rough work).
• Transport fare and light refreshments if needed.

Tip: Pack everything the night before and store them in a transparent file.

4. Ignoring Instructions from JAMB Officials
Some candidates disobeyed or argued with centre officials, especially during biometric verification or hall entry. In some cases, this led to disqualification.

How to stay safe:

• Follow all instructions calmly and respectfully.
• If you’re unsure about something, ask politely.
• Do not jump queues or behave disruptively.

5. Confusing Exam Time or Venue
A number of Day 1 candidates went to the wrong location or showed up at the wrong time, missing their session entirely.

Avoid this by:

• Double-checking your slip for the correct date, time, and centre.
• Asking locals for directions in advance if you’re unsure of the venue.
• Not assuming anything—centres and times can change even if you’ve written JAMB before.

6. Arriving Too Early Without a Plan
Some candidates got to their centres as early as 4:00 AM, only to end up tired and stressed before the exam even started. Others arrived late and missed biometric verification.

Ideal plan:

• Arrive about 1 hour before your exam time—this is early enough to avoid stress but not too early to drain your energy.

7. Panicking Over Different Question Sets
Several candidates were thrown off when they noticed their questions didn’t match those of others in the hall. Some even thought something was wrong with their exam.

Here’s the truth:
JAMB randomizes questions and answers to prevent cheating. Everyone is being tested on the same topics—it’s just in a different order.

Tip: Focus on your screen, manage your time, and don’t get distracted by others.

8. Skipping On-Screen Instructions
Nervousness made some candidates skip the instructions shown on their screens at the beginning of the exam. This led to mistakes like skipping questions or accidentally submitting too early.

What to do:

• Read all on-screen instructions carefully before clicking “Start.”
• Use the “Next” and “Previous” buttons to navigate safely.
• Submit only when you’re done and have reviewed your work.

9. Overconfidence or Poor Planning
Some candidates believed they were well-prepared but failed to confirm details or pack necessary items—basic errors that cost them their exam.

Last-minute checklist:

• Confirm your centre location and exam time a day before.
• Charge your phone the night before, but don’t rely on it at the centre.
• Get a good night’s sleep to stay sharp.

10. Believing Fake Information or Expo Promises
A few Day 1 candidates were distracted by false messages about leaked questions or special centres. This not only wasted their time but increased anxiety.

Remember:

• JAMB questions are not leaked. Focus on studying what you’ve learned.
• Trust your preparation, not online scams.

Final Advice for JAMB 2025 Candidates

Every year, mistakes from early exam days offer valuable lessons for the rest. Here’s how to stay ahead:

• Double-check your exam time and location.
• Reprint your slip close to your exam date.
• Avoid relying on others for directions—visit your centre beforehand.
• Pack all materials the night before.
• Don’t panic. Stay calm and trust your preparation.

Good luck to all candidates writing in the coming days. You’ve got this.

Related posts:

JAMB Registration 2025/2026: Form, Fee, Deadline, and Guidelines 2025 UTME Registration Begins in January — JAMB Releases Key Details! Generate Profile Codes for 2025 UTME – JAMB Approved JAMB CBT Centres in Abia State