Imagine this: You’ve spent months preparing for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exam. You’ve burned the midnight oil, sacrificed sleep, and rehearsed past questions like a pro. Finally, the big day arrives. You step into the exam hall confident, only to make one small mistake that costs you your dream university admission.
Painful, right? Every year, thousands of candidates unknowingly sabotage their chances in the JAMB hall due to avoidable mistakes. While some errors lead to time loss, others result in outright disqualification. Don’t let that be you!
In this guide, we’ll expose the common mistakes students make in the JAMB hall and how you can avoid them. Read carefully because your future might depend on it.
Costly Errors That Can Ruin Your Exam Day:
1. Arriving Late: The First Step to Failure:
JAMB is a serious exam, and arriving late is a surefire way to start on the wrong foot. Many candidates underestimate traffic, forget their exam centers, or miscalculate time.
Lessons From Those Who Missed The Exam
Some candidates leave home late, assuming they have enough time. But unexpected delays like traffic, roadblocks, or even vehicle breakdowns can ruin everything. Many students have been denied entry simply because they arrived a few minutes past the deadline.
How to Avoid This Mistake:
- Locate your exam center a day before the exam.
- Leave home at least two hours before your scheduled time.
- Avoid unnecessary stops or distractions on your way.
- Being early ensures you have enough time to settle in, reduce anxiety, and focus.
2. Forgetting or Misplacing Exam Materials
Nothing is worse than getting to the exam hall and realizing you’ve left an important document at home. Some candidates even forget to print their exam slip!
Common Mistakes That Lead to Disqualification
Many candidates have been turned back at the entrance for missing their JAMB registration slip or a valid means of identification. No matter how well-prepared you are, without the required documents, you won’t be allowed in.
How to Avoid forgetting or misplacing examination material
A day before the exam, pack everything you need:
- JAMB registration slip
- Original JAMB ePIN
- A valid means of identification
- Any other required document
- Keep them in a safe folder and cross-check before leaving home.
- A missing document could mean no exam. Don’t take the risk!
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3. Ignoring Exam Instructions: A Costly Oversight
JAMB is not just about knowing the answers; following instructions is equally important. Every year, candidates make silly mistakes because they fail to read and understand the exam guidelines.
What Happens When Instructions Are Ignored?
Many candidates rush through the exam without carefully reading instructions. Some finish early but forget to click “Submit”—which means their work isn’t recorded. Others mistakenly attempt to open restricted tabs on the computer, triggering security flags that could disqualify them.
How to Avoid This Mistake:
- Read all instructions on your screen before starting.
- If you finish early, double-check your answers and ensure you click “Submit” before leaving.
- Pay attention to every instruction given by the exam invigilators.
- Little mistakes like this can cost you an entire year. Be careful!
4. Poor Time Management: The Silent Killer
Many candidates get stuck on difficult questions and waste precious time, leaving easier questions unanswered. JAMB’s Computer-Based Test (CBT) format is time-bound, so every second counts!
Experiences of Those Who Ran Out of Time
Some candidates spend too much time on tough questions, thinking they must solve every problem immediately. By the time they move to easier sections, time is almost up. Others fail to keep track of the countdown and are caught off guard when the system logs them out automatically.
How to Avoid This Mistake:
- Start with easy questions to secure quick marks.
- If a question is too tough, move on and return to it later.
- Keep an eye on the timer—it won’t wait for you!
- A smart strategy beats intelligence when it comes to JAMB.
5. Falling for Distractions: The Unseen Enemy
The JAMB hall is filled with distractions such as nervous candidates whispering, clicking sounds of keyboards, and invigilators moving around. Some candidates even spend time trying to peep at others’ screens, wasting valuable minutes.
How Distractions Have Affected Candidates’ Scores
Many students have admitted that they wasted time looking at their neighbors’ screens, thinking they would get help. Unfortunately, some of those candidates were also guessing! Instead of staying focused, they lost time and performed poorly.
How to Avoid This Mistake:
- Ignore what others are doing—focus on your own screen.
- Wear earplugs if allowed to block out noise.
- Train yourself to concentrate even in noisy environments before the exam.
- Distractions are time thieves. Stay locked in.
6. Clicking the Wrong Answers: Avoiding Costly Errors
JAMB is a CBT exam, and clicking the wrong option mistakenly is a real danger. Sometimes, a slight slip of the finger can change your A to C or B to D.
How Simple Clicks Have Led to Poor Results
Some candidates, in a hurry, select the wrong answers without noticing. Others mistakenly change a correct answer to a wrong one while reviewing. A single careless mistake can reduce your overall score significantly.
How to Avoid This Mistake:
- Double-check before clicking an answer.
- If unsure, flag the question and return to it later.
- Don’t rush—accuracy is key
- One wrong click can cost you a higher score. Stay alert!
7. Panicking Under Pressure: The Mind Game
JAMB is not just a test of knowledge—it’s a test of nerves. Anxiety can cloud your thinking and make you forget even simple things.
Why Anxiety Has Ruined Many JAMB Attempts
Some candidates panic the moment they see difficult questions, and their minds go blank. Others get overwhelmed by the exam environment and make mistakes they wouldn’t normally make. This often leads to poor performance, not because they didn’t know the answers, but because stress took over.
How to Avoid This Mistake:
- Practice mock exams to get used to the pressure.
- Take deep breaths if you feel overwhelmed.
- Stay confident—trust your preparation!
- A calm mind works faster and smarter.
Conclusion
The JAMB exam isn’t just another school test, it’s a high-stakes opportunity that can shape your future. One careless mistake in the exam hall could mean the difference between gaining admission and waiting another year. That’s why it’s not enough to just study hard; you must also stay sharp, alert, and disciplined on the day of the exam.
The truth is, many candidates lose marks not because they don’t know the answers, but because of panic, poor time management, or avoidable errors like wrong clicks or failing to follow instructions. Don’t let that be your story.
By avoiding common mistakes like arriving late, forgetting important documents, rushing questions, or getting distracted—you protect everything you’ve worked so hard for.
Always Remember that:
- The exam hall is not a place to take chances.
- Every second counts.
- Focus is your best friend.
- Confidence is your secret weapon.
So, as you walk into that room, carry not just your ID and pencil, but also the mindset of someone who’s prepared, focused, and ready to win.
Final Checklist Before Entering the JAMB Hall:
- Arrive early to avoid last-minute stress.
- Pack all necessary documents the night before.
- Read instructions carefully before starting.
- Manage your time wisely, don’t dwell too long on tough questions.
- Focus on your screen, not on others.
- Be mindful of wrong clicks.
- Stay calm and confident because panic only makes things worse.
By avoiding these mistakes, you increase your chances of acing the JAMB exam and securing your spot in the university of your dreams.
Success doesn’t happen by luck. It happens by preparation. So all you have to do is to study hard in other to finish finish strong. Then you walk in ready to be able to walk out proud, because your future is waiting so you have to make it yours.
Go in prepared. Go in smart. Success is yours.
