JAMB releases 2025 UTME performance stats

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released a detailed analysis of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results, revealing that more than half of all candidates scored between 160 and 199.

According to official data shared by the board on Monday, out of the 1,955,069 candidates who sat for this year’s examination, 983,187, representing 50.29%, fell within the 160–199 score bracket.

The full performance breakdown shows:

• 320 and above – 4,756 candidates (0.24%)

• 300–319 – 7,658 candidates (0.39%)

• 250–299 – 73,441 candidates (3.76%)

• 200–249 – 334,560 candidates (17.11%)

• 140–159 – 488,197 candidates (24.97%)

• 120–139 – 57,419 candidates (2.94%)

• 100–119 – 3,820 candidates (0.20%)

• Below 100 – 2,031 candidates (0.10%)

The examination, which began nationwide on April 24, was marred by technical glitches, including network failures and biometric verification issues that disrupted several sessions.

Many candidates described the exam as more difficult than anticipated, with specific complaints about the Mathematics, Physics, and Commerce sections. Use of English was largely rated fair, although some candidates reported missing or incorrect questions at their centres.

At Mount Gilead Convent Centre in Igando, Lagos, a candidate, Ugonma Perpetual, said her Use of English section had missing questions: “Questions one to 10 didn’t show, only the answer options appeared,” she said.

Another candidate, Nmesoma, expressed concern after her computer shut down before she completed the test. “My system automatically turned off on its own. Will my answers be submitted?” she asked.

Meanwhile, Saviour Essien lamented long delays, stating: “I arrived early for my 6:30 am exam, didn’t even eat, and still waited for hours before it started.”

In addition, JAMB disclosed that 40,247 underage candidates (below 16 years old) participated in the 2025 UTME under its gifted children policy. However, only 467 of them (1.16%) scored 300 and above, the benchmark for being considered exceptionally gifted. These candidates will undergo three additional stages of post-exam evaluation before their admission fate is determined.

The board also flagged concerns over exam malpractice and technical challenges. A total of 97 candidates were involved in infractions, while 2,157 others are under investigation for various misconducts, including impersonation and tampering with exam systems.

Furthermore, 71,701 candidates were marked absent from their exams. Those affected by biometric verification failures may be rescheduled to take the exam at special centres, but only if cleared by ongoing investigations.

JAMB added that results of blind candidates and others who took the exam through the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG) are still being processed. These candidates used Braille or Read-Aloud modes under special arrangements, and their results will be released after final validations.

The board said it plans to hold a press conference later in the week to officially release all outstanding results.