JAMB Reveals 2025 UTME Performance Statistics

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released the full performance statistics for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), offering the most comprehensive look yet at nationwide candidate performance, score distributions, and notable trends. The data, based on nearly 1.96 million candidates who sat the exam across Nigeria, paints a complex picture of both challenges and unprecedented achievements.

Overall Performance and Score Distribution

According to the official performance analysis, of 1,955,069 candidates who actually took the 2025 UTME:

• Only 420,415 candidates — about 21.5% — scored above the key 200‑point benchmark normally considered competitive for tertiary admissions.

• More than 1.5 million candidates — roughly 78% — scored below 200, reflecting overall challenges in meeting standard score thresholds.

A detailed breakdown of the score bands shows the following distribution:

This distribution highlights that the largest share of candidates clustered around the 160–199 range, with a tiny fraction achieving elite scores (300 and above).

Emerging Trends: High‑Scoring Candidates

Despite concerns over mass low scores, certain top‑end performance metrics set new records:

• JAMB’s detailed statistics show that 17,025 candidates (about 0.88%) scored 300 or more, marking the highest number of high scorers since the full rollout of Computer‑Based Testing (CBT) in 2013.

• Additionally, more candidates scored 250+ in 2025 than in any previous year during the CBT era, an indicator of stronger upper‑end performance compared to recent cycles.

These top‑end results suggest that, while many candidates struggled with the exam overall, a growing minority are exhibiting exceptional readiness and preparation relative to prior years.

Special Candidate Categories

JAMB also provided performance data for underage candidates — young learners granted permission to sit the UTME based on “exceptional ability”:

• Out of 40,247 underage candidates, just 467 (about 1.16%) demonstrated scores that met the Board’s threshold for exceptional performance.

• These performances are still subject to further evaluation across subsequent stages of the admission process.

Withheld Results & Malpractice Investigations

The Board also disclosed that 39,834 results were withheld for further review due to suspected examination irregularities.

• In addition, many candidates faced investigations for suspected malpractices or biometric/registration issues.

These actions reflect JAMB’s continuing efforts to safeguard the integrity of the examination process, even amid controversies and technical challenges experienced in the 2025 cycle.

Related Article: How To Contact Jamb Support (2024 Guide)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What percentage of 2025 UTME candidates scored above 200?

Only about 21.5% of candidates who sat for the 2025 UTME scored above the 200 score threshold used by many universities in Nigeria as a baseline for admissions eligibility.

How many candidates scored 300 or more in the 2025 UTME?

A total of 17,025 candidates (0.88%) scored 300 or higher — the highest number since JAMB began using the CBT format.

Did more candidates perform better in 2025 compared to previous years?

While overall performance (in terms of the percentage scoring above 200) remained low, the high end of the score spectrum saw improvement: more candidates scored above 250 and especially 300 than in recent years.

Why were some results withheld by JAMB?

JAMB withheld 39,834 results due to suspected irregularities, including malpractice and biometric issues, as part of its efforts to maintain exam integrity.

How did underage candidates perform in the 2025 UTME?

Out of over 40,000 underage participants, only 467 achieved scores that met JAMB’s criteria for exceptional academic ability; however, their full progression remains to be assessed.