High UTME score no guarantee for varsity admission –JAMB registrar
The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board says that only a combination of JAMB cut-off marks, post-UTME, ‘O’ level results and other admission criteria as determined by institutions can ensure candidates’ admission.The JAMB registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, disclosed this at an intensive training and sensitisation
Oloyede said that scoring higher than the minimum cut-off marks did not guarantee admission, though it does make candidates eligible for admission consideration.He added that institutions determine the institutional, programme and course cut-off marks and other admission criteria in exercise of their autonomy.
According to him, the cut-off mark by JAMB is only a threshold below which no institution can admit candidates.
“JAMB is not an examination body; rather, it is a ranking body. If there are enough spaces in the tertiary institutions, there may not be need for UTME.
“JAMB is a screening body to rank already qualified candidates. It is a coordinating and clearing house.
“The cut-off mark is not a pass or fail mark. It is not the total score but one of many factors such as post-UTME (where applicable), ‘O’ Level results scoring, etc.,” he explained.
He added that regulating agencies such as the National Universities Commission, National Board for Technical Education, National Commission for Colleges of Education, among others, could decide the admission quota for institutions.
He further explained that JAMB introduced CAPS so as to ensure that every UTME candidate gets fair treatment.
Oloyede said with CAPS, candidates now have the choice to either accept or reject admission offer.
He, however, advised candidates to ensure that they indicate the acceptance or rejection of admission online and timely to enable the processing of their admission.He urged institutions to comply with their advertised criteria for admission, including the cut-off marks.