The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has introduced a mock Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) specifically for candidates under the age of 16.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, clarified that the mock exam is not intended for admission to tertiary institutions but is aimed at allowing younger candidates to assess their abilities.
Speaking on Sunday at a meeting with media executives in Lagos, Oloyede also revealed that this year’s UTME will take place on March 8, 2025.
He stated that the sale of UTME forms would begin on January 31 and end on March 5, with a mock exam scheduled for February 23.
“This year, we are introducing a mock trial exam specifically for those under the age of 16 who are not yet eligible for university, polytechnic, or college admission,” Oloyede explained.
He emphasized that candidates must be at least 16 years old on or before September 30 to be eligible for the UTME and admission into higher education.
Candidates who wish to experience the computer-based test (CBT) format but are not aiming for admission in 2025 can register solely for the mock exam.
Additionally, the sale of Direct Entry application documents and e-PINs will begin on March 10 and April 7, respectively.
Regarding fees, Oloyede explained that the cost for writing both the UTME and mock exam will be N8,200, while the UTME without the mock exam will cost N7,200.
The trial-testing mock exam for underage candidates or those seeking to experience the CBT format will be N5,700, the same price for Direct Entry applicants.
Oloyede reiterated that the 16-year minimum age requirement for UTME registration would be strictly enforced this year.
However, exceptionally gifted candidates under 15 years old might still be allowed to register, provided they score at least 280 marks in the UTME and perform exceptionally in their senior secondary school certificate and post-UTME exams.
The JAMB Registrar also mentioned that the policy on admission adopted 16 years as the minimum age for the 2024 academic session, despite previous attempts to extend the age limit.
The decision was challenged in court, which led to a reversal of the extension. Last year, former Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, announced that only candidates aged 18 and above would be admitted to tertiary institutions, but this decision was met with significant public opposition. His successor, Dr. Tunji Alausa, suspended the 18-year admission policy in November 2024.
Additionally, Oloyede disclosed that 870 computer-based test centers have been screened and provisionally approved for the 2025 UTME, an increase from the 747 centers approved last year.
