It is common to see Nigerians use words interchangeably but forget the fact that they are quite different. One of them is JAMB and UTME. These two are different from each other but are used interchangeably most time. It is frequent among students to say “I want to write JAMB”. This kind of statement is wrong. You can’t write JAMB because it is a body that conducts exams but you can sit for UTME. JAMB stands for Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, while UTME stands for Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination
Differences
JAMB is a body that conducts the exam called UTME. The body was empowered by the Federal Government to conduct matriculation examinations for entry into all polytechnics and colleges of education in the country and to place suitably qualified candidates in the available places in these institutions.
JAMB Mandate
(a) Conduct Matriculation Examination for entry into all Universities, Polytechnics, and Colleges of Education (by whatever name called) in Nigeria
(b) Appoint Examiners, Moderators, Invigilators, members of the Subject Panels and committees and other persons with respect to matriculation examinations and any other matters incidental thereto or connected therewith.
(c) Place suitably qualified candidates in the tertiary institutions after having taken into account:
- the vacancies available in each tertiary institution
- the guidelines approved for each tertiary institution by its proprietors or other competent authorities
- the preference expressed or otherwise indicated by the candidates for certain tertiary institutions and courses
- such other matters as the Board may be directed by the Honorable Minister to consider or the Board itself may consider appropriate in the circumstances.
(d) Collate and disseminate information on all matters relating to admissions into tertiary institutions or any other matter relevant to the discharge of functions of the board.
(e) Carry out other activities as are necessary or expedient for the full discharge of all or any of the functions conferred on it under or under this Decree.
Similarly, some students also like to know the meaning of Post-UTME.
Post UTME
Post-UTME is the exam or screening conducted by different Universities or polytechnics to aid selection when given admission to candidates. This test is conducted after the UTME result has been released by JAMB. Post-UTME started in Nigeria in 2005. This is done to checkmate candidates who pass UTME through malpractice and to reduce to the barest minimum low-quality students.
Read below the submission of UI on Post UTME
Empirical and verifiable data available at the University of Ibadan have shown convincingly that there has been a considerable improvement in the quality of students admitted into the University since the Post-UTME template was introduced during the 2005/2006 admission exercise.
