Passing the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination is very important for individuals seeking admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
JAMB is an examination body that conducts entrance exams for students to go into Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. Scoring well in JAMB is the only way you can easily get admission into your desired institution and course of study.
You can only be given admission when you reach the Jamb general cut-off mark and also the cut-off mark of your course of study.
Passing Jamb in one sitting is not as difficult as you may think, but to do it you need to carefully plan it, dedicate your time, and develop effective study strategies.
How to Pass Jamb In Flying Colours

Just like I said earlier, passing jamb is not too difficult, the major problem students normally have is lack of preparation. To increase your chances of scoring high in JAMB, it’s important you prepare very well for the examination. Here are some essential tips to guide your preparation:
Set a Score Target
Setting a score target is a very important step when it comes to preparing for the JAMB examination. By clearly defining the desired score you want to achieve, you give yourself a concrete objective to work towards. This not only helps you stay motivated but also provides a sense of direction during your preparation period.
When setting your JAMB score target, it’s important to make them specific. Instead of merely aiming to “do well” or “get a good score,” determine a particular target score that you want to achieve. For example, you might set a goal to attain a score of 300 out of 400 in the JAMB examination. Norman Vincent Peale once said, ‘Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.
Remember, setting clear goals and having a specific target score in mind is not meant to add pressure or stress. Instead, it serves as a guiding principle to keep you focused, motivated, and organized throughout your JAMB preparation journey.
Create a Study Schedule
When it comes to developing a study schedule, it’s important to consider your unique learning style and the commitments you have in your daily life. The goal is to allocate dedicated time for each subject you’re studying while maintaining a well-balanced routine.
Allocate specific time for each subject, ensuring that you give adequate attention to all areas of study. For example, if you’re studying multiple subjects like maths, physics, or chemistry, create separate time for each one.
Consider dividing your study sessions into smaller, manageable chunks. Research suggests that shorter, focused study periods with regular breaks can improve learning and retention. Aim for study sessions that range from 30 to 60 minutes, followed by short breaks to rest and recharge.
Study Past Questions
Studying with JAMB past questions is very beneficial for effective exam preparation. It helps you get familiar with the exam format, ensures comprehensive content coverage, helps identify important topics, and improves time management skills.
when I was writing my first Jamb, I studied so many past questions starting from 1998, and Jamb repeated so many questions that year. My chemistry questions were 50% of repeated questions, so I was smiling while answering them because I was even familiar with most of the chemical calculations.
By practicing with these past questions, you can improve your time management skills and learn to allocate the appropriate amount of time to each question.
Prioritize Study Topics
Prioritizing study topics involves recognizing your strengths and weaknesses, giving more time to challenging subjects, and simultaneously covering all the necessary topics. This balanced approach allows you to enhance your proficiency in difficult areas while maintaining a comprehensive understanding of the subjects as a whole.
While focusing on the challenging subjects, it is crucial not to neglect the other topics or subjects. Ensure that you still allocate sufficient time to cover all the required topics.
Avoid Procrastination
Procrastination is a very bad habit that can hinder your success while preparing for JAMB. it is very important that you develop self-discipline and establish a study routine that you can adhere to consistently.
Consistently adhering to your study routine and staying committed to your JAMB preparation goals will help you overcome procrastination and make steady progress toward achieving your desired results. Stay motivated, reward yourself for your accomplishments along the way, and don’t be too hard on yourself if you occasionally slip up. The important thing is to recognize the patterns of procrastination and actively work towards breaking free from them.
Another way to also solve this problem is to minimize distractions and Identify the things that tend to divert your attention away from studying. By so doing, you will have a consistent study schedule which will increase your chances of coming out with flying colour.
Seek Support from Teachers & Tutors
Tutors and teachers possess extensive knowledge and experience in the subjects covered in the JAMB examination. They can provide guidance, clarification, and additional resources to help you better understand the topics. So whenever you encounter a difficult question, make sure you reach out to your teachers or tutors.
Their subject knowledge, guidance, and encouragement can help you navigate the challenges of the examination and increase your chances of success.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, JAMB does not set the same questions for every candidate. The questions are generated randomly from a large pool of questions. This is done to prevent cheating and to ensure that all candidates have an equal chance of success. However, it is possible that some candidates may receive the same questions, as the pool of questions is very large.
Is Jamb Mock Really Important?
Yes, JAMB mock is really important. It is a pre-examination test organized (JAMB) for candidates before the actual exam. The mock exam is a great way to assess your strengths and weaknesses, identify areas where you need to improve, and get a feel for the format and timing of the actual exam.
How Many Questions Will I Answer In Jamb?
You will answer a total of 180 questions in JAMB. There are 60 questions in Use of English, and 40 questions each in Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry. You will have 2 hours to answer all of the questions.
Here is a breakdown of the number of questions in each subject:
Use of English: 60 questions
Mathematics: 40 questions
Physics: 40 questions
Chemistry: 40 questions
Conclusion
Reading is one thing, implementation is the major thing, so make sure you put everything you have read in this post into practice. Collect comprehensive study materials, including textbooks, and online resources. Ensure you have access to the syllabus and recommended textbooks for each subject.