Only 1.16% Of Underage UTME Candidates Show Exceptional Ability – JAMB

Out of the 40,247 underage candidates who sat for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), only 467 — which is 1.16 per cent —scored high enough to be classified under the exceptional ability category, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has revealed.

This is from a total of 1,955,069 processed results for the year, Punch Online reports.

In a post made on X (formerly Twitter) via its official handle @JAMBHQ, the examination body on Monday, disclosed that although the underage candidates were permitted to showcase their academic prowess, “their performance in the subsequent three stages is still pending,” indicating that the evaluation process for these prodigious candidates is far from over.

Misconduct and absenteeism
The Board also shed light on disturbing cases of misconduct and absenteeism that characterised the 2025 UTME.

“A total of 97 candidates were involved in examination infractions,” JAMB stated, adding that “2,157 others are currently undergoing investigations for suspected malpractices.”

Also concerning is the large number of students who failed to appear for the exam altogether.

“71,701 candidates were absent,” the Board confirmed, offering no immediate breakdown of reasons for their non-participation.

JAMB also addressed the issue of biometric verification challenges, a recurring problem in recent years.

“Candidates facing biometric challenges are under investigation, and those who are cleared will be rescheduled for examination at designated centres,” it announced.

In addition, some results remain unavailable as processing continues for certain categories.

“A few of the results, including those of blind candidates and others in the JEOG group, are still being processed,” the post further read.

According to the release, a press conference has been scheduled to provide further updates, during which individual results will be announced and access to result-checking portals will be enabled for all candidates.

JAMB Registrar, Prof.Ishaq Oloyede, in Februrary, disclosed that “exceptional” students below the age of 16 can register for the UTME as the board had opened the Exceptionally Brilliant Window for such candidates.

2025 UTME results statistical breakdown
Meanwhile, a statistical breakdown of the 2025 UTME results has revealed that a majority of the candidates scored below the 200 mark, with only 0.63% achieving scores of 300 and above.

According to data released by JAMB, out of the 1,955,069 candidates who sat for the exam:

Only 4,756 candidates (0.24%) scored 320 and above, considered top-tier performance.

7,658 candidates (0.39%) scored between 300–319, bringing the total for those who scored 300 and above to 12,414 candidates (0.63%).

In the more competitive range:
73,441 candidates (3.76%) scored between 250–299.

334,560 candidates (17.11%) scored between 200–249.

The core of the result distribution sits in the mid-to-low range:
983,187 candidates (50.29%) scored between 160–199, which is widely regarded as the minimum threshold for admissions in many institutions.

488,197 candidates (24.97%) scored between 140–159.

57,419 candidates (2.94%) scored between 120–139.

3,820 candidates (0.20%) scored between 100–119.

2,031 candidates (0.10%) scored below 100.

Key Insights:
Over 75% of all candidates scored below 200, the common benchmark for many competitive courses and universities.

Only 0.63% scored 300 and above, placing them in the elite performance bracket.

The largest group, more than 50% of test takers, clustered in the 160–199 range, underlining a trend of average performance.

The Punch