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Few Reasons Students Failed JAMB This Year (2025)

Every year, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination determines the fate of millions of Nigerian students hoping to gain admission into higher institutions. But the 2025 edition took many by surprise—with an unusually high failure rate that left students, parents, and even educators in shock.

So what went wrong?

Below are some of the major reasons students failed JAMB this year and what we can all learn from it:

1. Over-Reliance on Social Media for Study Resources

Many students now depend on social media platforms like TikTok, WhatsApp groups, or Instagram pages for study materials. While these platforms can provide quick tips, they can never replace structured learning or verified educational resources. Most of what is shared is either outdated, incomplete, or plain incorrect.

2. Neglect of Past Questions

JAMB is known for repeating or rephrasing questions from previous years. Unfortunately, many students neglected the importance of solving past questions. Some even relied entirely on “expo” or “runs” which never came through—leaving them unprepared and panicked.

3. Poor Time Management During the Exam

Even students who studied well reported running out of time during the CBT (Computer-Based Test). Time management is crucial. Lack of practice in timed mock exams left many students stuck on difficult questions and unable to complete the paper.

4. Technical Glitches at Exam Centers

This year saw a spike in technical challenges across many CBT centers—ranging from system crashes, poor network, to power outages. These disrupted student focus and shortened the effective time for answering questions. Some candidates were rescheduled, but others were not as lucky.

5. Cramming Instead of Understanding

Many students still rely heavily on cramming—memorizing facts and definitions without understanding the concept. JAMB questions are increasingly application-based, testing whether you truly grasp what you've read.

6. Lack of Focus and Distractions at Home

With constant access to phones, video games, and social media, it’s harder than ever for students to focus. Even during supposed “study time,” notifications and distractions creep in. Without discipline and a quiet study space, most students found it difficult to prepare thoroughly.

7. False Confidence from “Leaked” Questions

In the weeks leading up to the exam, some students had access to so-called "leaked" questions—most of which turned out to be fake. This false hope caused many to abandon serious study, only to be shocked in the exam hall when they saw totally different questions.

8. Low Literacy and Reading Culture

A worrying number of students simply didn’t understand the questions. This isn’t always due to low intelligence, but poor reading habits and a weak foundation in English comprehension. If you can’t understand the question, you can’t answer it correctly—no matter how smart you are.

9. Mental Pressure and Anxiety

The fear of failing JAMB has created enormous pressure on students. Panic attacks, exam fever, and poor sleep the night before the exam all contribute to performance anxiety. Unfortunately, anxiety clouds memory and logical thinking during tests.

10. Lack of Adequate Preparation Time

Due to late registration, strike actions, or delays in timetable release, many students didn’t start preparing early enough. Trying to cover the entire syllabus in a few weeks leads to shallow learning and poor retention.

Final Thoughts

The 2025 JAMB results served as a wake-up call—not just for students, but also for schools, parents, and the system as a whole. Passing JAMB is not only about intelligence, but preparation, mindset, access to resources, and exam strategy.

If you're preparing for the next one, start early, use the right materials, and most importantly, build discipline. Don’t be 

discouraged by this year’s outcome—use it as motivation to rise above the odds.