BREAKING: JAMB Releases 2024 UTME Results, 76% Scores Below 200

The Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB) has released the results of the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). The computer-based exam was held between Friday, April 19th and 29th, with over 1.9 million candidates registered.

Out of the registered candidates, 80,810 were absent from the exam. A total of 1,904,189 students participated in the nationwide test, which determines admission into Nigerian universities and other tertiary institutions. JAMB has released the results for 1,842,464 candidates. However, the results of 64,624 candidates are being withheld for potential examination malpractice. These cases are under investigation by the board.

While the maximum UTME score is 400, only a small percentage achieved the highest marks. Only 0.5% (8,401) scored 300 and above, while 4.2% (77,070) scored 250 and above. A slightly larger portion, 24% (439,974), scored 200 and above. Concerningly, a significant majority, 76% (1,402,490), scored below 200.

JAMB explained the reasons behind withheld results, which include examination misconduct (78 cases), procedural investigation of candidates (4,594 cases), verification investigation (2,896 cases), and center-based investigations (57,056 cases). These center-based investigations involve 18 centers across Edo, Akwa Ibom, Delta, and Kwara states.

JAMB officials highlighted a significant decrease in exam malpractice since the switch to computer-based testing nearly a decade ago. The 2024 UTME only saw 78 cases of direct misconduct, mainly impersonation and bringing unauthorized devices into exam halls. JAMB remains committed to minimizing exam malpractice through process automation across registration, testing, and admissions.

While the UTME was largely smooth, minor technical hitches occurred in a small number of exam sessions (25 out of 9,156). These issues impacted roughly 150 sessions across 95 centers.