TIPS ON HOW TO GET HIGH GRADES IN UTME AND SIMILAR EXAMS

TIPS ON HOW TO GET HIGH GRADES IN UTME AND SIMILAR EXAMS

JAMB UTME may appear a very difficult exam to some students owing to the fact that they haven’t dug up the secrets of success in the matriculation exam.

JAMB was introduced by the Federal Government of Nigeria to conduct a Unified tertiary Matriculation Examination for prospective Higher Institution applicants (Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education). It was founded in the year 1978 for the purpose of admission into Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria, with the pioneer registrar being Mr. Michael Saidu Angulu from 1978-1986.

Jamb test candidates on four (4) subjects, with three of the subjects being related to the candidate’s intended course of study, and the fourth been Use of English, the Nigerian Lingual Franca. It is a yearly examination, and as of the time of publication of this post, JAMB result have only one year validity which means that any candidate who fails to secure admission in his/her year of sitting for the exam will definitely rewrite the exam for the subsequent year. As of the year of publication of this post, the current JAMB registrar is prof. Is-haq Oloyede (former Vice Chancellor, Unillorin). Jamb had previously used Paper Pencil Test, (PPT) for the UTME exam before upgrading to the use of Computer Based Test (CBT). There are currently many CBT centers spread across the nation especially privately owned centers which goes through accreditation/certification process in order to conduct CBT exam for JAMB candidates. JAMB exam had remained a nightmare to some Nigeria youths while some see it as any exam which can be passed if diligently prepared for. Some cases of mass failure and examination malpractice have been recorded.

On the other hand, UTME high scorers have been most times rewarded for their outstanding performances. The minimum age for the purchase of UTME form is 15yrs while 16yrs remains the minimum age for admission of applicants into most Universities in Nigeria. Candidates for university admission are required to score very high grades and even greater depending on the nature of their intended discipline as compared to polytechnic and Colleges of Education candidates.

 But what can one do to get high score in JAMB?

First and foremost, you will be preparing for four subjects of which three will be related to your intended discipline and the fourth being Use of English which is compulsory. 

  ·        Participate in the mock exam:  The mock exam is designed to test the readiness of candidates and show how academically equipped they are. Grab the opportunity to take part in the mock examination. It also makes you to get prior experience of the computer based test mode and reduces anxiety associated with technology-based exams.

·    ·        Early preparation is the key:  The syllabus may be too big to cover, that's why early preparation is the key. Avoid procrastination or it will destroy your ambition. It's time to disciplined yourself because there is no substitute for hardwork. Always read with focus and avoid negative thinking or being pessimistic about the outcome of your study. little by little but steady or rather consistency in studies paves way for most academic success. Surely, you must prosper when you do the right things with diligence.

 

         To learn the best study skills click here  What are effective study habits/skills?

   ·        Getting good and standard tutorials: If you are still in High school (Secondary school), read thoroughly, pay attention to details, attempt vast number of questions on each subject you will be taking in the exam. look for experienced and enthusiastic teacher/tutor. The role of  experienced teachers and passionate tutors can't be overlooked when it comes to JAMB and similar examinations.

  ·        Check and avert distraction:  This may be achieved by limiting or entirely stopping temporarily your non-academic activities on social e-media. You can use this period and resources to surf the web or internet to get relevant information about JAMB and also extract academic materials that will aid your studies online.

 ·       Refrain from irrelevant activities which may affect your learning abilities and understanding (excess indulgence in parties, social gatherings, truancy, playing with peers all times, gambling, videos and games etc). But remember, good music after studies isn’t really bad. Also exercise your body from time to time and give your brain some rest.

  ·        Buy good and standard text books for all the four subjects chosen; If you are a prospective applicant currently based in Nigeria, then Naijaedulib may recommend these books below;

v UNDERSTANDING CHEMISTRY FOR SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES BY Godwin Ojukuku

v NEW SCHOOL CHEMISTRY (latest edition)

v NEW SCHOOL PHYSICS

v P.N OKEKE PHYSICS        

v IDODO UMEH COLLEGE BIOLOGY (current edition)

v MODERN SCHOOL BIOLOGY (latest edition)

v ESSENTIAL MATHEMATICS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL 3 BY A.J.S Oluwasanmi

v NEW FURTHER MATHEMATICS PROJECT 1 & 2

v THE NEW NATIONAL MATHEMATICS SSS1,2,&3

v ESSENTIAL GEOGRAPHY FOR SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS -      O.A. Iwena

v MACMILLIAN SOCIAL STUDIES ATLAST

v OXFORD SCIENCE DICTIONARY

v OXFORD ADVANCE LEARNERS DICTIONARY

v ESSENTIAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE             -      Tonad

v COMMON MISTAKES/ERRORS IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE

WARNING: These are not the textbooks which may be recommended by JAMB. You can as well get the JAMB recommended textbooks while purchasing these ones as a sort of additional backup. You may have up to three textbooks in one subject. This increases your chances of learning smarter and understanding better with consequent good grade.

The information given above is just to assist and guide and does not come from JAMB. Naijaedulib only serves as an edutainment platform.

  ·        Make your timetable and write down your schedule (study plan). Timetable shows the days of the week and the activities allocated to it. A sample of timetable for a science student is shown below;

Monday          -       physics   English   biology

Tuesday         -      Maths     Chemistry

Wednesday     -      Physics   Chemistry

Thursday        -      Maths     Biology

Friday            -     Chemistry  Biology

Saturday        -      Physics    English

Sunday          -      Physics   Maths     biology

A schedule maybe a sort of a list of activities arranged in an orderly manner that has been designated for specific purpose.

A diligent student may make a schedule on how, where and what to read. Sample is shown below;

December

Week1

Physics              Chemistry                     Biology

Waves                Nitrogen                       Animal Nutrition

Optics                Oxygen                         Plant Nutrition

Sound               Hydrogen                      Digestive Systems

Week2

Physics             Chemistry                     Biology

Electricity          Ph,  POH                       Respiration

Machines          Stoichiometry                Reproduction

Heat                Radioactivity                  Evolution.

  ·        Attempt Most of the questions on the Past questions booklet. Take out your time to test yourself on the achievement you have made so far in your academics by attempting the JAMB past questions of your subjects combination. Look out for those areas you have poor foundation, and get things right. Understand the logic behind those questions asked. Go back to your books, read and grab any knowledge available, you can never be sure where and how questions may be asked. For science students, build your computational and analytical skills.

  ·        Curb fear, tension/anxiety: These have been the root cause of failure of some candidates. Be bold and courageous, so you can remember all that you have read, so that unnecessary pressure is not mounted on your brain. Preparation and hard work together will help you fight these. Do the needful on time to reap after.

  ·        Always check JAMB news outlets to get valid JAMB guidelines and information [Naijaedulib will assist in disseminating authentic, valid and useful information as of when needed]. Also remember to forward your complaints about jamb exam to appropriate JAMB quarters for resolution.

  ·        Master and practice the CBT software: Participating in the mock exam will help you in this aspect. Some websites also offer cbt software practice app for aspiring UTME candidates

To learn the best study skills click here  What are effective study habits/skills?

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