ABUJA – The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) reports more high scores in the 2025 UTME results. A total of 17,025 candidates, 0.88 percent of the 1,931,467 test takers, scored 300 and above. This is a record since JAMB introduced the Computer-Based Test (CBT).
A statistical report from PUNCH Online on Saturday shows this positive JAMB performance trend. It indicates clear improvement compared to earlier years in the CBT examination scores era, which started in 2013.
In 2025, results for all 1,931,467 candidates who took the examination were released. This total is higher than the 1,842,364 results released in 2024. This indicates a consistent rise in UTME participation.
For comparison, 8,401 candidates (0.46 percent) scored 300 and above in 2024. In 2023, this number was 5,318 (0.35 percent). Performance in earlier years was generally lower. For example, only 724 candidates (0.06 percent) achieved this high score in 2021. No candidates reached the 300 mark in 2014 or 2013. The 2025 UTME results show more top performers.
Breakdown of Other Score Ranges
This positive JAMB performance trend also appears in other score brackets. In the 2025 UTME, 117,373 candidates (6.08 percent) scored 250 and above. This is up from 77,070 candidates (4.18 percent) in 2024 and 56,736 (3.73 percent) in 2023.
The report further stated, “565,988 candidates, making up 29.3 per cent, scored 200 and above.” This is up from 439,961 candidates (24 percent) in 2024 and 355,689 (23.36 percent) in 2023.
Despite these gains in higher scores, a majority of candidates, 1,365,479 (70.7 percent), scored below 200 in 2025. This is slightly down from 76 percent in 2024 and 76.64 percent in 2023.
Past data shows score changes. In 2021, only 168,650 candidates (13 percent) scored 200 and above. However, in 2016, 568,847 candidates (34 percent) achieved this. The recent rise in high scores suggests better academic preparation and more student familiarity with the CBT examination scores system.
JAMB has worked to improve its testing processes since starting CBT in 2013. The 2025 UTME results seem to show good outcomes from these efforts. The Board will likely give more details on how these results affect tertiary admissions.
Context: Earlier Resit Examination
National Scoop earlier reported JAMB released results for a resit examination. This resit was for candidates affected by a technical error during the main 2025 UTME. Initial 2025 UTME results were released May 9.
On May 14, JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, said a technical glitch affected results for 379,997 candidates. These candidates were from 157 centres in Lagos and the South-East zones. Professor Oloyede confirmed these affected candidates had to retake the examination. He said faulty server updates stopped the correct upload of answers during the exam’s first three days.
By Abiodun Labi
