The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced the introduction of a mock Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) specifically designed for candidates under the age of 16. This initiative aims to provide younger candidates with an opportunity to test their abilities without seeking admission into tertiary institutions.
Mock UTME for Trial Testing
Speaking during a meeting with media executives in Lagos on Sunday, JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, explained that the mock UTME is intended solely for trial-testing purposes and is not tied to university, polytechnic, or college of education admissions.
“This year, we are introducing a mock for trial-testing examination only. It is for individuals who are below 16 and do not qualify for admission but wish to experience the CBT process,” Oloyede said.
Registration Details and Examination Dates
The JAMB Registrar announced key dates for the 2025 UTME registration and examination:
- Sale of Forms: January 31 to March 5, 2025.
- Mock UTME for Regular Candidates: February 23, 2025.
- UTME Main Examination: March 8, 2025.
- Direct Entry Application: Begins March 10, 2025, and e-PIN vending ends April 7, 2025.
Candidates wishing to write the UTME with a mock exam will pay ₦8,200, while those opting for the UTME without a mock will pay ₦7,200. The trial-testing mock for underage candidates will cost ₦5,700.
Enforcing Age Limits
JAMB reiterated its policy requiring candidates to be at least 16 years old by September 30 to qualify for admission into tertiary institutions. Exceptions are made for gifted candidates below 15 years old who score at least 280 in the UTME and perform exceptionally well in senior secondary certificate exams and post-UTME assessments.
“The policy meeting on admission adopted 16 years as the minimum age for 2024 admission. While we extended the date to accommodate more candidates, a court ruling reinforced the 16-year benchmark,” Oloyede added.
Background on Age Limit Policies
The introduction of the trial-testing mock comes in the wake of debates about the age requirements for tertiary education admissions. While a previous policy by former Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, proposed 18 years as the minimum admission age, it was reversed by his successor, Dr. Tunji Alausa, in November 2024.
Increased Examination Centres for 2025
Oloyede also announced that 870 computer-based test (CBT) centres have been screened and provisionally approved for the 2025 UTME, a significant increase from the 747 centres approved last year.
Enhancing the Examination Experience
The introduction of the mock UTME for underage candidates, coupled with the increased number of CBT centres, underscores JAMB’s commitment to enhancing the examination process. Candidates and stakeholders are encouraged to prepare ahead and adhere to the updated registration and examination guidelines for a seamless 2025 UTME.
My daughter will be 16 by October 16, 2025. Is she qualify?
What of the students that will be sixteen by December
My daughter will be 16 by 1st of October, can will obtain the form
My
My child will be 16 in December, so she should stay home for a
Whole year without school? It won’t be good now. It will expose her to boys as she will be idle. Pls reconsider by extending the date to December
Well if your daughter is able to score above 280 and passes her ssce in flying colors, I guarantee you that she would get admission provided she is mature capable of making decisions herself. You can’t protect her from exposing her to boys forever because she would later go to the university and study and she would definitely mingle with them, but as long as you know you gave her the best home training you can give her, just put her care in God’s hands because children of nowadays, only God can save them from destruction.
Mine will also be 16 years October. We went for registration yesterday but she was sent away that she does not meet the age limit. What do we do please.
Is it compulsory for gifted underage student write trial mock