If you score less than 200 in the 2024 UTME exam, don’t feel too bad. 76% of students scored less than 200 in that same exam. It’s a mass failure and you’re not alone. There are a whole lot of options to explore, including universities and courses you can apply for with a UTME score that is less than 200.
The 2024 UTME featured a whole lot of surprises.
Before you continue, look at the statistics below about students’ performance in the 2024 UTME examination:
- 1,985,642 candidates registered for the exam
- 1,904,109 candidates sat for the exam
- 80,810 candidates were absent
- 8,401 candidates scored above 300
- 77,070 candidates scored 250 and above
- 439,974 candidates scored 200 and above
- 1,402,490 candidates scored below 200
- 64,624 results are under investigation for various reasons
If you look at the data very well, that means the majority of the students who wrote the 2024 UTME exam “failed”. It’s a huge mass failure. Here’s a better way to put it:
- 8,401 students scored 300 or above, representing 0.4% of all test takers.
- 77,070 students scored 250 or above, representing 4.2% of all test takers.
- 1,402,490 students scored below 200, representing 76% of all test takers
- 439,974 students scored 200 or above, representing 24% of all test takers.
76% of the 1,985,642 students who registered for the 2024 UTME exam did score up to 200. Imagine 76% failing the JAMB’s exercise.
You’re not alone. Be happy.
And the good news is that the cut-off marks for all courses is going to be ridiculously lower this year than you can imagine.
- Score Less than 200 in 2024 UTME? These 9 Steps Guarantee Your Admission
- Step 1: Wait for JAMB's Official Cut-Off Mark
- Step 2: Think of JUPEB or IJMB
- Step 5: Explore other Institutions
- Step 6: Consider a Polytechnic or College of Education
- Step 7: Leverage Relationship
- Step 8: Learn a Soft Skill
- Step 9: Retake the UTME Exam Next Year
- Score Less than 200 in 2024 UTME? These 9 Steps Guarantee Your Admission
Score Less than 200 in 2024 UTME? These 9 Steps Guarantee Your Admission
- Wait for JAMB’S Official Cut-Off Mark
- Think of JUPEB or IJMB
- Opt for Pre-Degree
- Change Your Course
- Explore other Institutions
- Consider a Polytechnic or College of Education
- Leverage Relationship
- Learn a Soft Skill
- Retake UTME
Step 1: Wait for JAMB's Official Cut-Off Mark
To know what to do next after scoring less than 200 in the 2024 UTME, wait for the official cut-off by JAMB. See, the cut-off mark is going to be ridiculously low.
Expect JAMB’S cut-off mark to be less than 150. Universities also have to comply with JAMB’s cut-off mark and they don’t even have a choice.
You are talking about mass failure here which is a national concern. Just start preparing for your post-UTME. You don’t have anything to worry about.
Step 2: Think of JUPEB or IJMB
To understand what to do next after getting less than 200 in the 2024 UTME, think of JUPEB of IJMB. JAMB is getting more competitive every year. Imagine close to 2 million students registering for the 2024 UTME exam. The competition is way massive.
Why not bypass UTME and gain admission directly into year two of your desired course. Yes, that’s where JUPEB or IJMB comes to the scene.
The Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board (JUPEB) is a national examination body that provides a platform that allows you to gain admission into the university through a one-year foundation programme.
JUPEB is a ten-month intensive programme that prepares you for the JUPEB examination, which is accepted by Nigerian and foreign universities. The programme provides a solid foundation in science, arts, and social sciences.
The Interim Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB) is a federal government-approved programme that offers a one-year advanced level qualification you can explore to gain direct entry admission into any Nigerian universities.
IJMB is a comprehensive programme that covers a wide range of subjects, including sciences, arts, and social sciences, and it prepares you for university education.
Upon completion of both JUPEB or IJMB, you receive a certificate that grants you direct entry admission into 200 level in any Nigerian university, bypassing the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and post-UTME screening processes—which makes sense.
Step 3: Opt for Pre-Degree
To master what to do next after securing less than 200 in the 2024 UTME, opt for pre-degree. All Nigerian universities offer the pre-degree programme.
What makes pre-degree different from IJMB or JUPEB is that with pre-degree (PD), you still need to write the UTME exam and meet the cut-off mark for the course you choose.
Although, you receive preferential treatment as the institution prioritzes you during admission processes.
One cool thing with PD is that you have up to 70% assurance of gaining admission once you pass the PD exam and meet the minimum UTME cut-off mark the institution sets. This option makes sense if you have the financial ability to clear the bill.
Step 4: Change Your Course
To finalise what to do next after acquiring less than 200 in the 2024 UTME, change your course.
If you choose a highly competitive course like Medicine and Surgery, or Law, refine your option to a course that requires a lower cut-off mark.
Remember that you can cross to the department you love in your second year (this is not guaranteed 100% anyway).
For example, you choose Nursing in your UTME, but you score between 140 and 200. Nursing is longer feasible. Consider courses like Chemistry, Mathematics, Education, etc.
Step 5: Explore other Institutions
To have an insight into what to do next after scoring less than 200 in the UTME exam, explore other institutions. Change to a less competitive institution.
You need to be open-minded to other opportunities that other institutions offer.
Sometimes it’s hard to tell what destiny has in stock for you.
Instead of wasting your UTME score by narrowing your choice down to one institution, feel free to explore other alternatives.
Step 6: Consider a Polytechnic or College of Education
To discover what to do next after scoring less than 200 in the 2024 UTME exam, consider a polytechnic or college of education. This is a tough decision but it’s understandable.
It’s better you opt for a polytechnic or waste your UTME score and join the rat race again next year. It isn’t worth it. Explore different federal polytechnics and what each one of them has to offer.
In fact, it’s really a smart decision because after securing your National Diploma, ND, certificate, you can apply for a direct entry into any university of your choice without needing to write the UTME exam.
It’s a win-win situation for you. Rejoice!
Step 7: Leverage Relationship
To optimize your low UTME score, leverage relationships. Who do you know? This is very important because who you know carries more weight than what you score.
If you have someone who can help you secure an admission into the university of your choice, do not hesitate to reach out. What relationship can do when it comes to admission, a UTME score of 280 may not be able to do it.
So think about whether there’s a relationship advantage you can explore.
Step 8: Learn a Soft Skill
To know what to do with a UTME score that’s less than 200, learn a soft skill. Graduating from the best university in Nigeria doesn’t guarantee immediate employment.
Use this opportunity to learn a soft skill you can monetize like, UI/UX, Cybersecurity, Mobile App Development, and so on. With any of these skills, you make money while you learn in school.
The cool part is that you can even opt for the National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN. NOUN is a self-paced education system whereby you do not need to attend a brick and mortar school. Your UTME score cannot stop you. It’s even a blessing in disguise.
Step 9: Retake the UTME Exam Next Year
If you feel all the options above don’t resonate with you or if you’re hellbent on studying a course your UTME score didn’t match up with, retake the UTME exam next year.
Also, if you vow to attend a particular institution but your present UTME score looks like a barrier, wait until next year and write the exam again.
Make sure you plan and study harder to come out with flying colours.
Score Less than 200 in 2024 UTME? These 9 Steps Guarantee Your Admission
If you score less than 200 in the UTME exam, your first step is to wait for JAMB’s official cut-off mark announcements.
In the meantime, consider alternative pathways like JUPEB or IJMB programs, or opting for a pre-degree course to enhance your chances.
Additionally, contemplate changing your course preferences or exploring other institutions that might have lower cut-off marks.
Don’t overlook polytechnics or colleges of education as viable options.
Utilize your relationships to gather information and advice, and invest time in learning a soft skill that can boost your employability.
If necessary, prepare to retake the UTME exam with a more strategic approach
