When applying to most Nigerian higher education institutions, one of the most important exams is the post-UTME. As a result, failing this exam ends your chances of getting into university. Many applicants starting their academic careers are unsure whether to apply to a school that performs a post-UTME exam or just screening.
There is sometimes uncertainty about the purpose of post-UTME and screening exercise and how it differs from other admission processes.
This article thoroughly covers all you need to know about the differences between post-UTME and screening tests and the best strategy to approach it.
It is important to understand that the post-UTME or screening is not a replacement for the JAMB (UTME). Candidates must sit for and pass the UTME before being eligible to apply to the chosen universities through the Post UTME or screening test.
What Is Post UTME?
Post UTME is an exam written by prospective students who have obtained the requisite marks in JAMB to gain admission into Nigerian universities, It is an acronym for Post Unified Tertiary Matriculation Exam. It is organized by universities as a screening activity to accept applicants into their schools. To be eligible for this test, candidates must have taken JAMB and scored higher than the JAMB and university cut-off marks. Students who do not take this exam will be denied university admission, regardless of their JAMB scores.
History
Before 1978, all Nigerian universities, colleges of education, polytechnics, mono-technics, and other tertiary institutions had entrance examinations for prospective students, and these schools had the authority to admit students who completed their tests. This method of admission had several issues that impacted both the examiner and the examinee.
As a result, the construction of a single admissions strategy became necessary to address these difficulties. The vice-chancellors’ committee anchored and adopted this notion, which resulted in the foundation of JAMB (Joint Admission and Matriculation Board) as a centralized tertiary institution entrance test organization. They and they alone possessed the ability and capability to offer admission to any tertiary or degree-awarding institution.
In the early 2000s, most tertiary institutions and academic experts felt that the institution had deteriorated in both integrity and standard.
This elevated JAMB’s legitimacy and competency as the sole statutory organization in charge of administering entrance tests into higher institutions to the level of national conversation. Due to the lack of complaints against the organization, the federal government of Nigeria, through the Ministry of Education, authorized and obliged all tertiary institutions to perform an internal screening procedure for current intending students in 2005. The incumbent president of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, endorsed and justified this move.
Why Write Post UTME?
As previously stated, post-UTME is an examination administered by universities to assess the ability of prospective students. Though you have been examined by JAMB, the central examination body, you will be tested by the university so that you can confirm your JAMB score and demonstrate your ability in your field of study.
So, if you do not write your post-UTME exam, you will not be able to provide your post UTME result, which is one of the conditions for university admission. In a nutshell, if you do not take the post UTME, you will be denied admission regardless of your JAMB result.
Who Hosts Post UTME?
Unlike JAMB, the post-UTME is not a central examination. Because it is not coordinated by a central authority like JAMB, post-UTME exams are isolated and held privately by institutions. The institution sponsors, pays, and provides all exam-related materials.
Who Is Eligible for Post UTME?
To apply for the post-UTME test, you must meet certain conditions. As you are aware, post UTME is an examination administered by the university to assess the preparedness and readiness of prospective students to pursue their selected course of study at the institution. So, as a candidate for the post-UTME exam conducted by your desired institution, you must have:
Written JAMB and scored over both the JAMB and your university’s cut-off marks. Typically, the university cut-off mark is greater than the JAMB cut-off mark, thus if you score over the university cut-off point, you will automatically pass the JAMB cut-off mark. The jamb cut-off mark is usually 180 points, and the majority of university cut-offs are 200 points depending on the sort of degree you pick, but 200 for professional courses such as engineering, medicine, surgery, and so on.
However, for non-professional courses, 180 points will suffice for the majority of university cut-off marks, but the JAMB cut-off mark is always 180 points, whether for professional or non-professional courses.
You must have received your O’Level results and must get the requisite marks. Now, if you have all of these certifications, you are entitled to take the post-UTME test after completing all of the registration requirements. Remember to register for the test, you do not gain automatic registration by simply completing your papers. You must pay for the exam and go through additional online and offline registration processes.
To apply, you must be at least 16 years old and have at least five (5) level credits in topics related to your intended field of study.
How To Register For Post-UTME?
There are several ways to register for post-UTME because there are so many institutions to choose from. Because the exam is not a uniform examination, unlike JAMB, each university has its own method of enrolling ambitious students for the post-UTME exam, hence, how institutions handle the exam is independent of one another.
What Is Screening?
In Nigerian university admissions, screening refers to a detailed verification and review procedure used by institutions to verify the credentials and eligibility of applicants who have completed the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). This approach guarantees that only eligible and competent applicants are considered for admission.
The Process of Screening
The screening process for Nigerian university admissions is a systematic and thorough assessment of candidates’ qualifications and eligibility. It guarantees that all candidates fulfil the university’s admission requirements. Here’s an in-depth look at the normal screening steps:
A) Application submission
- Online Registration: Most candidates begin the screening process by enrolling on the university’s admissions webpage. This entails completing an online form with personal information, UTME scores, O’Level results, and other requested information.
- Document Upload: Applicants must provide scanned copies of their UTME result slip, O’Level certificates, birth certificates, and local government IDs.
B) Payment for Screening Fees
- Screening charge: Candidates must pay a screening charge, which varies per university. This charge covers the administrative fees associated with processing the application and screening.
- Payment Confirmation: Following payment, applicants must confirm the transaction on the site and check that their application status reflects the payment.
c) Document Verification
- Academic Records: The university checks the legitimacy of the academic records supplied. This includes reviewing the O’Level results, UTME scores, and any necessary credentials.
- Personal Information: Personal facts such as the candidate’s name, age, and local government region are verified to guarantee uniformity and accuracy.
- Physical Presence (if required): Some colleges may request that candidates produce original documents in person for verification. This procedure guarantees that the scanned copies match the originals.
The Purpose of Screening in Nigerian University Admissions
Screening plays an important role in the Nigerian university admissions process, ensuring that only qualified and eligible students are accepted. Here’s a thorough look at the many goals of the screening process:
A) Authenticity verification
- Preventing Fraud: Screening helps to avoid fraudulent admissions by ensuring the legitimacy of candidates’ documents and credentials. This stage is critical to ensuring that all submitted papers, including O’Level results, UTME scores, and birth certificates, are real and legally obtained.
- Ensuring validity: Universities can prevent accepting students with fraudulent or overstated qualifications by examining the legitimacy of their documents. This helps to keep the admissions process fair.
B) Academic suitability
- Matching Candidates to Courses: The screening procedure ensures that candidates have the requisite academic background and readiness for their desired courses. This entails ensuring that students satisfy the necessary subject combinations and cut-off grades for their chosen field of study.
- Meeting Standards: Universities maintain high academic standards by ensuring that entering students are adequately prepared for the demands of their programs. This helps to produce graduates who fulfil academic and professional requirements.
C) Holistic Admission
Universities use screening to assess a candidate’s potential for success in higher education, beyond only UTME scores. This might include performance in interviews, practical examinations, or other types of evaluations.
D) Comprehensive Evaluation
This procedure conducts a more thorough assessment of a candidate’s suitability, taking into account both academic and non-academic characteristics. It aids in finding well-rounded students who can make significant contributions to the university community.
Screening in Nigerian university admissions serves several purposes, including ensuring the admission process’s integrity, quality, and fairness. It validates the legitimacy and validity of candidates’ credentials, evaluates their academic appropriateness, promotes holistic admission methods, assures policy compliance, decreases dropout rates, improves justice and meritocracy, and promotes diversity and inclusion.
By attaining these objectives, the screening process enables institutions to admit students who are well-prepared and capable of excelling in their academic endeavors, hence improving the overall quality of higher education in Nigeria.
Differences Between Post-UTME And Screening
The Post-UTME, or Post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, is a standardized written test conducted by Nigerian institutions. This test is primarily designed to analyze and assess the intellectual ability of students who have previously completed the UTME (Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination).
The post-UTME test often includes disciplines related to the candidate’s chosen field of study, such as Mathematics, English, Physics, Biology, and so on. Its major goal is to give colleges extra information beyond UTME results, allowing them to make educated choices about individuals’ fitness for admission to various undergraduate programs.
The post-UTME examination procedure is carried out in under-regulated settings, according strictly to the university’s examination norms and rules. Candidates must register for the Post-UTME, which frequently includes a charge to support administrative costs connected with planning and administering the test. Preparation for the post-UTME includes studying previous questions, reviewing materials, and occasionally taking preparation classes to boost their chances of success.
Screening on the other hand is the process of verifying and evaluating a candidate’s validity and eligibility based on given papers and qualifications. It takes place concurrently with or after the Post-UTME test and entails a thorough examination of a variety of documents, including the candidate’s UTME result slip, O’Level certificates (e.g., WAEC, NECO), birth certificate, and, in certain cases, local government identity.
During the screening process, institutions ensure that candidates fulfil the minimal academic standards for admission to their desired courses. This involves determining whether candidates have earned the necessary number of credits in relevant courses and ensuring that their UTME results meet or surpass the university’s cutoff points for their preferred programs.
Unlike the Post-UTME, which is primarily concerned with evaluating academic knowledge through a standardized exam, screening offers a comprehensive review of candidates’ credentials and eligibility. It assists colleges in admitting students who not only have the appropriate academic qualifications but also fulfil the broader requirements and standards established by the institution and regulatory agencies.
Final Thoughts
Both post-UTME and screening play important parts in the Nigerian university admissions process, with each providing a specific purpose. While the Post-UTME measures academic ability through a standardized written test, screening confirms the legitimacy of papers and examines candidates’ overall eligibility using a variety of factors. Together, these methods help to ensure that universities admit eligible students who are well-prepared to succeed in their chosen fields of study.
