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Top 10 Mistakes students Make In Jamb Exams
- LATE OR POOR PREPARATION
- IGNORING THE JAMB SYLLABUS
- NEGLECTING PAST QUESTIONS AND CBT PRACTICE
- CRAMMING WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING
- OVERCONFIDENCE AND POOR EXAM STRATEGY
- POOR TIME MANAGEMENT IN THE EXAM HALL
- NOT READING QUESTIONS CAREFULLY
- IGNORING ENGLISH LANGUAGE MASTERY
- EXAM-DAY PANIC AND ANXIETY
- FAILURE TO FOLLOW REGISTRATION AND EXAM INSTRUCTIONS
- FINAL TAKE
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Top 10 Mistakes students Make In Jamb Exams
Top 10 Mistakes students Make In Jamb Exams: As the JAMB 2026 examination approaches, please don’t fail to read this important article. It will help you overcome exam challenges and boost your confidence during the test, provided you avoid these mistakes.
As an education expert who has coached students for over a decade, I’ve identified recurring mistakes that often derail even the brightest candidates. Understanding and avoiding these can be the difference between success and disappointment. However, these mistakes in JAMB exams include:
LATE OR POOR PREPARATION
One of the most common errors is starting preparation too late. Many students underestimate the depth of the JAMB syllabus. Effective preparation requires time, consistency, and early planning ideally 6 to 9 months before the exam.
IGNORING THE JAMB SYLLABUS
JAMB provides a detailed syllabus for every subject. Failing to study within this guide means wasting time on irrelevant topics and missing essential ones. Smart students align their study plans with the official syllabus to stay focused and exam-ready.
NEGLECTING PAST QUESTIONS AND CBT PRACTICE
JAMB is a computer-based test. Students who don’t practice with CBT tools or past questions often struggle with time management and interface familiarity. Regular CBT mock tests help build speed and accuracy.
CRAMMING WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING
Cramming might help with short-term memory, but it fails in application-based questions, which JAMB is increasingly using. Students must understand core concepts, not just memorize facts.
OVERCONFIDENCE AND POOR EXAM STRATEGY
Some students assume they already know enough and refuse to revise or practice. Others rush through questions without reading instructions carefully. Both attitudes lead to unnecessary errors.
POOR TIME MANAGEMENT IN THE EXAM HALL
JAMB gives 180 questions to be completed in 2 hours. Many students waste time on difficult questions, leaving easy ones unanswered. Learning to pace oneself and apply the “skip and return” strategy is crucial. Skip the difficult questions and return to them later.
NOT READING QUESTIONS CAREFULLY
A subtle twist in wording can change a correct answer to a wrong one. Misreading instructions or failing to understand what a question truly asks is a top reason students lose marks.
RECOMMENDED: JAMB Portal 2026: Everything You Need to Know
IGNORING ENGLISH LANGUAGE MASTERY
Many candidates focus solely on subjects like Mathematics, Physics, or Biology and treat English as afterthought. But English is compulsory and contributes heavily to the overall score. Grammar, comprehension, and lexis should be prioritized.
EXAM-DAY PANIC AND ANXIETY
Even well-prepared students fail to perform due to nerves, lack of sleep, fear, and pressure. This can impair thinking. Developing a calm mindset through mock tests, breathing techniques, and confidence-building is essential.
FAILURE TO FOLLOW REGISTRATION AND EXAM INSTRUCTIONS
Some students make mistakes even before entering the exam hall from wrong subject combinations during registration to failure to bring required documents on exam day. Others disobey CBT instructions and risk disqualification.
RECOMMENDED: JAMB Portal 2026: Everything You Need to Know
FINAL TAKE
In conclusion, success in JAMB is not solely about intelligence; it’s about strategy, discipline, and awareness. Avoiding these common mistakes can significantly improve a student’s chances of securing admission. With the right preparation, resources, and mindset, every student can excel.
