UTME: JAMB discloses criteria that guarantees candidates’ admission

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

The JAMB registrar, Ishaq Oloyede, made the disclosure at a Training and Sensitisation Forum on central admissions processing system (CAPS) for the 2017/2018 academic session on Thursday in Abuja.

Oloyede explained that having a score above the minimum cut-off marks cannot assure one of gaining admission but will however make candidates eligible for admission consideration.

The JAMB registrar noted that institutions solely determined the institutional, programme and course cut-off marks and other admission requirements in the exercise of their autonomy.

According to him, the cut-off mark by JAMB is only a parameter outside 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 marks 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, e.t.c.,” he said.

He also noted that regulating agencies such as the National Universities Commission (NUC), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), among others could decide the admission quota for institutions.

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He further explained that JAMB introduced Central Admission Processing System (CAPS) so as to ensure that every UTME candidate got fair treatment.

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

He, urged candidates to ensure that they timely specify the acceptance or rejection of admission online to facilitate the processing of onward admission.

He enjoined institutions to adhere to their advertised criteria for admission including the cut-off marks.

Naija news recalls that JAMB in August at the policy meeting by institutions concluded to fix the 2017/2018 UTME cut-off marks for degree awarding institutions at 120.

The meeting also fixed admissions for national diploma and Nigerian certificate in education, among others at 100 cut-off marks.