Mistakes JAMB 2025 Candidates Made on Day 1 – And How to Avoid Them

As the 2025 UTME entered its first day on Thursday, April 24th, thousands of candidates across the country sat for their CBT exams. While many had a smooth experience, others made costly mistakes — some of which could affect their performance or even lead to disqualification.

In this post, we’ll highlight the most common issues we noticed from Day 1 candidates, based on real feedback from those who wrote. More importantly, we’ll tell you how to avoid them if your exam is still ahead.

Let’s begin with the first major mistake.

1. Arriving Late at the CBT Centre

One of the biggest and most common mistakes reported on Day 1 was lateness. Some candidates underestimated how early they needed to leave home, only to get stuck in traffic or waste time trying to locate their centre. Others arrived just minutes late — and were told they couldn’t write again.

How to Avoid This:

• Locate your centre a day before. Don’t wait until the exam morning to start looking for it.
• Leave home early. If your exam is by 6:30 AM, aim to be at the centre by 5:30 AM at the latest.
• Sleep early the night before. Oversleeping is one of the major causes of lateness.

Missing your exam due to lateness is painful — don’t let it happen to you.

2. Failure to Print or Bring the Reprint Slip

Several candidates showed up at their CBT centre without the required exam slip — or with an outdated version. Some printed their slips early and didn’t reprint after JAMB made changes to their schedule.

In many cases, this led to confusion, delay, or outright denial of entry.

How to Avoid This:

• Always reprint your slip close to the exam date. JAMB usually updates candidate details as the exam approaches.
• Print a physical copy (preferably in colour if possible, but black and white is acceptable).
• Do not rely on your phone. You won’t be allowed to use it at the gate.

Even if you reprinted weeks ago, do it again today. It costs little — but missing your exam costs everything.

3. Forgetting Required Materials

Some candidates arrived at their centres on Day 1 without the essentials needed to sit for the exam. While JAMB doesn’t ask for many items, forgetting the few required ones is enough to get you disqualified or turned back at the gate.

Must-Have Items for Your Exam Day:

• JAMB reprinted slip (with your exam date, time, and centre)
• HB pencil (optional but useful) for rough calculations if allowed
• Money for transport and light refreshments

Keep your materials in a file or transparent bag. Don’t wait till morning to pack them. Prepare tonight.

4. Arriving Late at the CBT Centre

On Day 1, one of the biggest issues reported by candidates was arriving late — either due to misjudging distance, poor directions, or transport delays. Some were denied entry because biometric verification had already ended.

What You Should Do Instead:

• Arrive at least 1 hour before your scheduled exam time (for example, be there by 5:30AM if your exam is 6:30AM).
• Locate your centre a day before if it’s in an unfamiliar area.
• Don’t rely on Google Maps alone. Ask locals for confirmation to avoid being misled.
• If you’re in a different town, travel the night before and lodge close by to avoid early morning panic.

Lateness isn’t just risky — it can cancel all your months of preparation in seconds.

5. Not Following Instructions from JAMB Officials

Several candidates on Day 1 ignored simple instructions — like where to sit, when to enter the hall, or how to handle biometric thumbprinting. This led to confusion, delays, and in some cases, being sent out of the centre.

Don’t Make This Mistake:

• Always listen to centre officials. They’re not your enemy — they’re there to help you.
• Ask questions politely if you don’t understand something.
• Follow queue rules and maintain discipline throughout your time at the centre.
• During biometric verification, wait for your turn and follow the guidance.

Being rude or stubborn could cost you your entire exam. Don’t let pride or panic push you into making a mistake you’ll regret.

6. Forgetting to Bring Required Documents

This may sound unbelievable, but on Day 1, a few candidates arrived at their centres without their JAMB exam slip — and some didn’t even have a valid ID.

What You Must Bring:

• Your JAMB exam slip (reprint) — printed clearly, either in colour or black and white.
• A valid means of identification (if requested) — e.g., NIN slip or school ID.
• A pencil (HB recommended) — for rough work where allowed.
• No calculator is allowed, but JAMB provides a basic one on-screen.

Always double-check your items the night before your exam. Keep everything in a transparent file and avoid adding unnecessary materials that could raise suspicion.

7. Arriving Too Late or Too Early Without a Plan

Some candidates on Thursday arrived too early — by 4:00 AM — and ended up exhausted before the exam even started. Others came late and missed their biometric verification, which led to disqualification.

Here’s the Right Way to Plan:

• Aim to arrive 1 hour before your scheduled time — not too early, not too late.
• Check your slip properly to know your exact time and venue.
• Know your route and how long it takes to reach the centre.
• If you’re unfamiliar with the area, visit a day before or ask someone for directions in advance.

Your timing can either give you peace of mind — or ruin your exam before it starts.

8. Panicking Over Different Question Sets

Many Day 1 candidates were shocked when they noticed their questions weren’t exactly the same as those of the person beside them — and it threw some off balance.

Here’s What You Need to Know:

• JAMB deliberately shuffles questions and options to ensure no two candidates sit for the exact same order of questions.
• It doesn’t mean your paper is harder — it’s the same content, just arranged differently.
• Focus on your screen and manage your time, not what someone else is doing.

Panicking wastes time — staying calm saves marks.

9. Not Following Instructions on the Computer Screen

Some candidates were so nervous that they skipped important on-screen instructions at the start of their paper. This led to errors like submitting the exam early or skipping questions unknowingly.

What You Should Do Instead:

• Take the first few minutes to carefully read the instructions on your screen before clicking “Start.”
• Use the ‘Next’ and ‘Previous’ buttons carefully to navigate.
• Always click “Submit” only when you’re sure you’ve completed everything.

Rushing through without understanding the platform is one of the quickest ways to lose marks — even before you’ve answered.

10. Not Confirming Exam Time and Centre Early Enough

Some candidates from Day 1 either arrived late, missed their exam completely, or went to the wrong location — all because they didn’t take time to confirm their details after reprinting.

What You Must Do:

• Double-check your JAMB slip: Your exam date, time, and CBT centre address are clearly written on it.
• Use Google Maps or ask locals a day before if you’re unsure of the location.
• Don’t assume anything — even if you’ve written before, centres can change.

Don’t wait until it’s too late — confirm everything today if you haven’t already.

11. Coming Late to the CBT Centre

One of the biggest mistakes reported by candidates on Day 1 was arriving late. Some even missed their exams entirely because they underestimated traffic, couldn’t find the location quickly, or just didn’t plan ahead.

Why This Is Serious:

• JAMB does not allow late entry. Once the doors are closed, you’re locked out.
• Even if you arrive flustered and rushed, you may not be in the right frame of mind to perform well.

What to Do Instead:

• Plan to arrive at least 1 hour before your scheduled time.
• If your exam is early (like 6:30am), plan your route the night before, or better still, visit the centre a day earlier.

12. Final Advice for JAMB 2025 Candidates

As the UTME continues across the country, it’s important to stay calm, focused, and prepared. The mistakes we’ve highlighted weren’t just random — they were real experiences from candidates who sat for the exam on Day 1. Learning from them gives you an edge.

Here’s what to remember going forward:

• Know your exam time and centre. Double-check it.
• Don’t wait till the last minute. Prepare everything the night before.
• Avoid distractions and ignore fake “expo” links or messages.
• Get a good night’s rest before your paper. Your brain works best when well-rested.
• Keep your documents safe. Your exam slip is your entry pass.

Finally, don’t panic. This is your opportunity to prove what you’ve learned. Stay confident and trust your preparation.

We wish all candidates writing today and in the coming days the very best. You can do this.