Proven Tips: How to Score High in JAMB

This is one of the most asked questions by secondary school leavers in Nigeria. Its prevalence is particularly due to the fact that JAMB is a requirement for entry into the higher institution on completion of SSCE.

As the JAMB examination draws near, this question is becoming pertinent. Hence, it is imperative that I pen down some tips.

I will be sharing some tips based on my experience over the years both as someone who once wrote JAMB – and later IJMB (What is IJMB?) – and someone who has been in the educational terrain, trained students and produced JAMB high scorers.

These tips, when correctly applied, have proven to be effective over the years.

Before you proceed, you may want to see » JAMB 2020: Top 13 UTME Candidates With the Highest Scores

How to Score High in JAMB

1. Be prepared for the Examination
   To succeed at any examination, of course, you know adequate preparation is needed. For an examination like JAMB that is conducted every year, studying past questions is one great leap to be properly prepared for the exam. Study shows that past questions are often repeated or rephrased. Who knows? You might get lucky. Even if questions are not repeated, answering past questions gives you an idea of what to expect in the examination.
2. Read According to The Syllabus
   Given the structure of education in Nigeria, and the JAMB examination is conducted every year. The JAMB syllabus is usually updated or changed from time to time. It is your responsibility to be up-to-date and study in line with the latest syllabus as released by the board. Study the Recommended Texts for each subject you’d be writing.
3. Attempt Online Quizzes
   Having read, it is ideal that you task your brain. It helps you properly learn and revise in an interesting way. It allows you to enumerate yourself and see how far you’ve read and how much more you need to read. Below are some quizzes you should check out.
   – Quiz: Use of English JAMB Practice Questions
   – Quiz: Likely Questions from JAMB 2021 Novel: The Life Changer
   – JAMB Practice Questions and Online Quiz
   – JAMB Mock Questions and Answers
4. Be Curious
   At times, Past questions might mislead you by providing wrong answers to questions. It is your responsibility to be curious and question some notions that do not sit well with you. Past questions are compiled by humans who are prone to error. When you see questions that put you in dilemma; after attempting it, go beyond the shores of the past question to research on the correct answer.
5. Revise
   One of the most painful experiences you don’t want to have in any examination is seeing a question you are familiar with but unable to remember the correct answer to it. This is one of the reasons why you should always revise. It helps you keep track of the things you’ve read. Even after you have sufficiently read, make it a habit to skim through and revise. You never know when it comes in handy.
6. Learn How to Use the Computer
   Being that JAMB is a Computer-Based Test (CBT), it requires that every intending candidate is at least, a little computer literate, know how to use a computer mouse or keyboard. If you are not knowledgeable about the use of a computer, try to get enrol for JAMB mock or CBT training before the examination.
7. Learn to Manage your Time
   As you prepare for JAMB, you need to also build your Time management skill. JAMB will ask you a total of 180 questions: 60 questions from Use of English and 40 questions each from the three (3) other subjects. All questions are to be answered within 2 hours. Now, whether or not the time given will be sufficient or not depends on how you manage your time.
8. Don’t Panic
   Some people fail JAMB not because they are not prepared for the examination but because they panic. Learn to compose yourself by not putting yourself under any form of unnecessary pressure. Panic can make you do what you know best in the worst way ever. So don’t panic! Be Calm!
9. Don’t Be in a Rush to Submit
   I think I need to state here that JAMB doesn’t award extra marks for submitting early. So, why the rush? If you are able to attempt all your questions and still have sufficient time left, use it to go over the questions you’ve answered. You may figure out you answered one or two incorrectly.

How to Manage Your Time When Answering JAMB Questions

Time Management

Like I said earlier, every JAMB candidate will be asked a total of 180 questions: 60 questions from Use of English and 40 questions each from the three (3) other subjects. All questions are to be answered within 2 hours. Now, whether or not the time given will be sufficient or not depends on how you manage your time.

It is simple – Skip what you don’t know for later.

With my experience in the educational sector, I have come to realise this is the major factor that militates against your time factor when writing JAMB. You are obliged not to remember answers to certain questions on the instant, but why waste your time on it when you can come back to it later?

When you are sitting for JAMB examination and you come across a question you are unable to figure out, move to the next question. When you are done, you can then come back to attempt them within the time you have left. That way, you will have more time to spare than the time you will lose if you hang to one question.

I can remember when I wrote JAMB, I finished about one hour early. Instead of submitting and bouncing off the hall like the boss of “I’m the first to submit“, I sat and went over the questions. I realised instances where I’d mistakenly chosen the wrong answers which I corrected. Many people do not have this opportunity because they are in a hurry to submit.

My point is, when you manage your time properly, you can conveniently answer all questions and still have enough time to look them over.

Notwithstanding, we wish everyone success in their examination.

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