Peter OgbemudiaThe long awaited JAMB 2025 exam has finally started! All across Nigeria, students have been filing into exam centers, nervous but hopeful, after months, some even years of hard work, studying day and night classes. For many, it’s the moment they have been dreaming about: the first step towards gaining admission into their dream university.
But as the first batch of candidates went in for their exams on Day 1, not everything went smoothly. In fact, a lot of mistakes were made, mistakes that could have been avoided and sadly, could cost some candidates precious marks or even lead to rescheduling.
The good news is….. If your exam day is still coming up, you have a major advantage. You can learn from the errors others made today and walk into your own JAMB exam much better prepared. So, what exactly went wrong on Day 1? Let’s see the major JAMB 2025 exam day 1 mistakes you need to know
Common Mistakes on JAMB 2025 Day 1
1. Arriving Late to the Exam Center
Arriving late is easily one of the most common JAMB 2025 exam day 1 mistakes we noticed today. You’d think by now everyone knows that lateness and JAMB don’t mix but somehow, many candidates still do show up late. Some underestimated Lagos traffic. Others assumed that because their exam slip said 7:00 AM, they could start leaving home at 6:30 AM. Bad idea.
The truth is, arriving late for your JAMB exam can immediately disqualify you or cause you unnecessary panic. Some centers even lock the gates once the exam starts, no mercy. You need to plan to get there at least 2–3 hours early. Better to be safe and bored than sorry and locked out.
2. Issues with Biometric Verification
This was a big one today. Some candidates got to the center early but couldn’t get verified because of fingerprint mismatch or dry hands. Without successful biometric verification, you simply cannot sit for your exam.
What caused the problems? Dirty fingers, injuries on the thumb or nervous sweaty palms. Some didn’t even know you’re supposed to wash and dry your hands properly before arriving. A few who used creams or lotions that morning also faced difficulties.
What you should do:
- Don’t apply lotion on exam morning.
- Wash your hands with soap and water before leaving home.
- If you have any finger injury, report to JAMB officials early.
3. Failure to Follow Instructions Inside the Hall
Not reading CBT instructions carefully is among the biggest mistakes made by JAMB 2025 candidates on day 1. A lot of candidates, either out of anxiety or overconfidence, failed to read instructions before going into their CBT (Computer-Based Test).
Some didn’t realize there was a separate page for English comprehension questions. Others didn’t click “Submit” properly and assumed their answers had been saved. Even simple mistakes like not clicking “Next” after answering a question cost some students dearly.
Remember: JAMB is not just testing your knowledge, they are also testing your ability to pay attention to details.
Lesson: Always read every instruction carefully before touching anything on the screen!
Lessons Other Candidates Should Learn
If you have not written your JAMB yet, you’re actually very lucky because now you know the pitfalls to avoid. Here’s what you should do differently:
1. Arrive very early. Not just early, but VERY early. Target to get there hours ahead.
2. Take care of your hands. No lotion, no dirty fingers. Keep them clean and dry.
3. Stay calm and read every instruction. Take a deep breath before starting and don’t rush.
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How to Avoid These Mistakes
Alright, now that you know the common JAMB 2025 Day 1 mistakes, let’s talk about how you can completely dodge them and walk into your exam like a champ:
1. Plan Your Journey the Night Before
Check your route. Arrange your transport. Set multiple alarms. Sleep early. Don’t leave anything to chance. Traffic could be very bad that day, there might as well be unpredictable rains or even “no fuel” situations can mess you up if you’re not ready.
2. Get Your Exam Materials Ready
Your JAMB slip, valid ID card and any other documents that is required of you should be packed and kept in your bag the night before your exams. You should try to avoid last-minute printing or frantic searching.
3. Take Care of Your Hands for Biometrics
Seriously, this shouldn’t be a big deal. Wash your hands very well, dry them properly and do not apply lotion or oils on the day you’ll be writing your exam. If you have injuries, notify the officials as early as possible.
4. Stay Calm During Verification and Exam
Anxiety is normal, but panicking will make you forget the instructions given. Breathe. Relax your mind and always remind yourself that you have prepared for this moment.
5. Read Instructions Twice:
Even if you’re confident, always ensure to go through every instruction page slowly before clicking anything. Some questions may look tricky but will become easier when you understand what they are asking exactly.
6. Recheck Before Submitting:
After answering your last question, don’t rush to submit. Review your answers, confirm that every question has been attempted and then submit properly.
Just by taking these simple but powerful steps, you’ll increase massively, your chances of having a smooth and successful JAMB experience.
Conclusion
The errors during JAMB 2025 day one gave candidates and future candidates valuable lessons to remember. Arriving late, struggling with biometric verification and skipping important exam instructions are mistakes that are so avoidable. If you still have your exam ahead of you, consider yourself lucky: you now know exactly what to expect and what to avoid.
Remember, JAMB is not just about knowing Maths, English or Government, it’s also more about showing up smart, prepared and alert. Don’t let avoidable mistakes mess up all the hard work you’ve put in over the months.
So now, over to you: knowing these mistakes and tips, how prepared are you really for your own JAMB 2025 exam day?
Peter Ogbemudia
