The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has commenced a review of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), with plans to explore the inclusion of critical thinking, life skills, and other competencies in the examination.
The proposed review could change how candidates seeking admission into universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education are assessed, with greater attention to reasoning, problem-solving, and the ability to apply knowledge to real-life situations.
However, JAMB has not yet announced a final new UTME format. A committee of education experts and stakeholders has been inaugurated to examine the proposal and develop recommendations before any changes are adopted.
Why JAMB is Reviewing UTME
JAMB Registrar Professor Segun Aina said the review became necessary because the UTME is primarily a selection and ranking examination for candidates who already possess their O'Level qualifications.
According to Aina, candidates have already been assessed on subject knowledge through examinations conducted by bodies such as the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO).
He therefore questioned whether UTME should continue to focus mainly on testing subject knowledge or whether the examination should place greater emphasis on skills that can help predict candidates' readiness for tertiary education.
Aina also noted that the basic UTME format had remained largely unchanged for more than three decades, making a review necessary in response to changes in the education system.
What Could Change in UTME?
The proposed review is expected to examine how skills such as critical thinking, analytical reasoning, logical reasoning, verbal reasoning, problem-solving, and the practical application of knowledge could feature in the admission examination.
The committee will also consider whether these areas should be introduced as a separate standardized assessment or incorporated into the existing UTME subjects.
This means that, for now, candidates should not assume that JAMB has already replaced the existing UTME structure. The details will depend on the recommendations of the committee and subsequent decisions by JAMB.
JAMB Wants an Evidence-Based Reform
Aina said the committee was deliberately made up of stakeholders and experts from different areas of the education sector.
He explained that JAMB wanted independent input from people who would be affected by any changes to the examination.
The committee's chairman, Professor Boniface Nworgu of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, said the effectiveness of UTME should be measured by how well it identifies candidates with strong prospects of succeeding academically in tertiary institutions.
According to Nworgu, the committee will examine whether the existing examination remains effective in predicting students' potential for success at the university, polytechnic and college of education levels.
Committee Given Four Weeks
The newly inaugurated committee has been given an initial period of four weeks to examine the proposed reforms from a conceptual perspective.
JAMB said the committee's tenure could be extended if additional time is required.
Following the committee's recommendations, JAMB may proceed to another stage involving assessment specialists who would work on the technical details of any framework eventually approved.
Education Minister Seeks Fair And Transparent Assessment
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, represented at the inauguration by Mr Oni Adedeji, said the proposed reform is part of broader efforts to improve assessment across Nigeria's education system.
The minister charged the committee to develop an assessment system that is standardised, fair and transparent.
He said any new approach should go beyond testing candidates' ability to recall information and should also examine their analytical, logical and verbal reasoning abilities.
The committee is also expected to determine the most appropriate way to assess life skills and critical thinking without compromising the fairness and reliability of the admission process.
Tertiary Education Has Changed
Professor Nworgu said the review was also relevant because the skills required in tertiary education have evolved.
He pointed to the transition from the Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards (BMAS) to the Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS), which places greater emphasis on skills development and critical thinking.
He added that the committee would remain open to considering other measures capable of improving the ability of UTME to identify candidates who are prepared for tertiary-level academic work.
What This Means For JAMB Candidates
For prospective JAMB 2027 candidates, the development is important, but candidates should wait for official information before changing their preparation strategy.
The current announcement concerns a review and committee process, not a final announcement that critical thinking and life skills have already been added to the UTME.
The committee is expected to submit its initial recommendations within four weeks, after which JAMB will consider the findings and determine the next steps.
For now, candidates should continue preparing with the official UTME requirements and subject combinations applicable to their chosen courses while monitoring JAMB's official announcements for any confirmed changes.
JAMB UTME Reform: What Candidates Should Know
The proposed reform could eventually change the way candidates are assessed for admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions.
However, several details remain to be determined, including:
Whether critical thinking will become a separate part of UTME.
How life skills will be assessed.
Whether existing UTME subjects will be modified.
Whether additional question formats will be introduced.
When any approved changes will take effect.
How the new assessment will be standardised across candidates.
Until JAMB officially adopts and announces a new framework, candidates should treat the current development as an ongoing review rather than a completed change to the UTME.
The outcome of the committee's work will determine what changes, if any, are eventually introduced into Nigeria's tertiary admission examination.
0 Comments