High UTME score no guarantee for varsity admission –JAMB registrar

The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board says that only a combination of JAMB cut - off marks , post- UTME, ‘O ’ level results and other admission criteria as determined by institutions can ensure candidates ’ admission .


The JAMB registrar , Prof . Ishaq Oloyede , disclosed this at an intensive training and sensitisation forum on Central Admissions Processing System for the 2017 / 2018 academic session on Thursday in Abuja .


Oloyede said that scoring higher than the minimum cut - off marks did not guarantee admission , though it does make candidates eligible for admission consideration .
He added that institutions determine the institutional , programme and course cut -off marks and other admission criteria in exercise of their autonomy.
According to him, the cut - off mark by JAMB is only a threshold below which no institution can admit candidates .

“JAMB is not an examination body ; rather , it is a ranking body . If there are enough spaces in the tertiary institutions , there may not be need for UTME.
“JAMB is a screening body to rank already qualified candidates . It is a coordinating and clearing house .


“The cut -off mark is not a pass or fail mark . It is not the total score but one of many factors such as post-UTME ( where applicable) , ‘O ’ Level results scoring , etc.,” he explained .



He added that regulating agencies such as the National Universities Commission , National Board for Technical Education , National Commission for Colleges of Education , among others , could decide the admission quota for institutions .


He further explained that JAMB introduced CAPS so as to ensure that every UTME candidate gets fair treatment .


Oloyede said with CAPS, candidates now have the choice to either accept or reject admission offer .


He , however , advised candidates to ensure that they indicate the acceptance or rejection of admission online and timely to enable the processing of their admission .
He urged institutions to comply with their advertised criteria for admission , including the cut - off marks .