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In terms of securing admission; Nigeria tertiary institutions are one of

the most competitive in the world, no thanks to the number of

applicants that enroll for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation

Examination (UTME) yearly and the paltry number that are offered

admission.

From past UTME records; majority of candidates score below the

average (200200200200 ofofofof 400400400400). In fact, 44444444....78787878%%%% scoredscoredscoredscored 200200200200 andandandand aboveaboveaboveabove inininin thethethethe lastlastlastlast

UTMEUTMEUTMEUTME 2012201220122012 whilewhilewhilewhile 2011201120112011 recordedrecordedrecordedrecorded 40404040%%%%, this has been the trend even

for the past 4 years. UTMEUTMEUTMEUTME scorescorescorescore contributescontributescontributescontributes greatlygreatlygreatlygreatly totototo thethethethe chancechancechancechance ofofofof

admissionadmissionadmissionadmission; quite a number are denied admission or offered another

course because their scores were below the set cut-off.

This guide is therefore developed to help Applicants:

� MakeMakeMakeMake careercareercareercareer choicechoicechoicechoice basedbasedbasedbased onononon theirtheirtheirtheir areaareaareaarea ofofofof strengthstrengthstrengthstrength

� SelectSelectSelectSelect schoolsschoolsschoolsschools wherewherewherewhere theytheytheythey havehavehavehave bestbestbestbest chancechancechancechance ofofofof admissionadmissionadmissionadmission

� PreparePreparePreparePrepare adequatelyadequatelyadequatelyadequately forforforfor thethethethe UTME,UTME,UTME,UTME, andandandand

� IncreaseIncreaseIncreaseIncrease theirtheirtheirtheir chancechancechancechance ofofofof admissionadmissionadmissionadmission totototo thethethethe school/courseschool/courseschool/courseschool/course ofofofof choicechoicechoicechoice

Preamble:Preamble:Preamble:Preamble:

�What Course Should I Study?

�Choosing a Course & School

�UTME Study Strategy

Content:Content:Content:Content:

The first investment to make is not to buy JAMB form

as soon as it is on sale; your first step is to know the

course you want to study and possibly why.

What Course Should I Study?What Course Should I Study?What Course Should I Study?What Course Should I Study?

No Course is more important than the other, and

neither is your course better than that of your friends,

all courses were created for definite purpose, to

impact specific knowledge and for different people.

If you have hurriedly made up your mind on the

course to study, “what“what“what“what CurseCurseCurseCurse isisisis thatthatthatthat coursecoursecoursecourse goinggoinggoinggoing totototo

break”break”break”break”?

What Course Should I Study?What Course Should I Study?What Course Should I Study?What Course Should I Study?

In plain term, whatwhatwhatwhat solutionsolutionsolutionsolution is that course going to

provide to Social, Health, Economic, Human, Political,

etc. problems?

You should study a course only if it has Global

relevance but providing solution in your environment.

A course may sound good to the ears but lack

relevance today and in the coming age. This is how

people set themselves up for joblessness.

According to the former Minister of Education;

Dr. Oby Ezekwesili:

What Course Should I Study?What Course Should I Study?What Course Should I Study?What Course Should I Study?

According to Senior Secondary School classifications;

students belong to; SciencesSciencesSciencesSciences, ArtsArtsArtsArts or CommercialCommercialCommercialCommercial.

What Course Should I Study?What Course Should I Study?What Course Should I Study?What Course Should I Study?

From the UTME 2012 Brochure, which contains at least

570 courses;

� ScienceScienceScienceScience students can select from 440 courses in

faculty of Administration,Administration,Administration,Administration, Medical,Medical,Medical,Medical, Sciences,Sciences,Sciences,Sciences, Sciences,Sciences,Sciences,Sciences, Education,Education,Education,Education,

Agriculture,Agriculture,Agriculture,Agriculture, EngineeringEngineeringEngineeringEngineering andandandand SocialSocialSocialSocial SciencesSciencesSciencesSciences

� ArtsArtsArtsArts student can select from 257 courses in faculty ofLaw,Law,Law,Law, Arts,Arts,Arts,Arts, SocialSocialSocialSocial Sciences,Sciences,Sciences,Sciences, EducationEducationEducationEducation andandandand AdministrationAdministrationAdministrationAdministration

� CommercialCommercialCommercialCommercial students can select from 181 courses in

faculty of Administration,Administration,Administration,Administration, EducationEducationEducationEducation andandandand SocialSocialSocialSocial SciencesSciencesSciencesSciences

The next content will guide you on how to choose your course of studyThe next content will guide you on how to choose your course of studyThe next content will guide you on how to choose your course of studyThe next content will guide you on how to choose your course of study

“It is what we do easily

and what we like to do

that we do well”.Orison Swett Marden

A good sign that you will do well in any course, is how

well you perform in UTME, the same goes for how well

you perform in the core subject of your course of study.

Choosing a Course and SchoolChoosing a Course and SchoolChoosing a Course and SchoolChoosing a Course and School

Aspiration is as easy as selecting a course that is in

line with who you dreamt becoming…..a Doctor –

MedicineMedicineMedicineMedicine &&&& SurgerySurgerySurgerySurgery, a Lawyer – LawLawLawLaw, etc. Therefore, I

will concentrate more on AptitudeAptitudeAptitudeAptitude.

I recommend two Approaches:

�

�

TheTheTheThe firstfirstfirstfirst testtesttesttest isisisis::::- Arrange your O-Level results in order of excellence. Put the

one with the best grade first and continue till no subject is

left. Whichever subjects you rank 1st, 2nd and 3rd, they

should be core subjects of the course you intend to study.

Choosing a Course Choosing a Course Choosing a Course Choosing a Course –––– AptitudeAptitudeAptitudeAptitude

TheTheTheThe secondsecondsecondsecond testtesttesttest isisisis::::- Buy UTME past questions for at least 6 SubjectsSciencesSciencesSciencesSciences –––– Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Math, Agric, Geography, Economics

ArtsArtsArtsArts –––– Lit. in English, Govt., History, CRS/IRS, Fine Arts, Languages, Music,

Arabic, Home Economics

CommercialCommercialCommercialCommercial –––– Accounting, Economics, Commerce, Geography, Math, CRS/IRS

2004, 2005, 2006 & 2007

Choosing a Course Choosing a Course Choosing a Course Choosing a Course –––– AptitudeAptitudeAptitudeAptitude

2004 2005 2006 2007 Average

Subject 1Subject 1Subject 1Subject 1

Subject 2Subject 2Subject 2Subject 2

Subject 3Subject 3Subject 3Subject 3

Subject 4Subject 4Subject 4Subject 4

Subject 5Subject 5Subject 5Subject 5

Subject 6Subject 6Subject 6Subject 6

Subject 7Subject 7Subject 7Subject 7

…..

WhatWhatWhatWhat isisisis youryouryouryour scorescorescorescore inininin eacheacheacheach subject?subject?subject?subject?

Sum your score

per year for each

Subject, divide the

sum by 4.

That value is your

average

performance per

subject

Now, rank the average scores for each Subject, select

the best 3, whatwhatwhatwhat areareareare they?they?they?they?

!!!!

Choosing a Course Choosing a Course Choosing a Course Choosing a Course –––– AptitudeAptitudeAptitudeAptitudeJAMB celebrate the highest score irrespective of the

subject the candidate was tested on.

So, whatever subject you excel greatly in, they will help

you secure admission easier if you choose them in UTME.

None of the top 15 candidates, whose marks ranged between 298

and 310 applied to study the Sciences – Communication (3) ,

Economics (3) and History (3). Law, Accounting, Industrial

Relations, Urban & Regional Planning, etc. had a candidate each.

In 2009, Irene Edem scored 310, she applied to study

Communications at the ABTI-American University of

Nigeria, Yola.

Choosing a Choosing a Choosing a Choosing a Course Course Course Course –––– CompetitivenessCompetitivenessCompetitivenessCompetitivenessSome Courses are highly competitive; usually, they are the desire of

most applicant but very few are admitted. So if you must choose

ensure your UTME score is closer to 300…the closer the better.

CollegesCollegesCollegesColleges ofofofof EducationEducationEducationEducation

PolytechnicPolytechnicPolytechnicPolytechnic

UniversityUniversityUniversityUniversity

Choosing a SchoolChoosing a SchoolChoosing a SchoolChoosing a School

Nigeria currently has:

� 124 Universities

� 185 Polytechnics / Monotechnics

� 102 Colleges of Education

� 203 Technical Colleges

� 82 Innovation Enterprise Institutions

Whichever of the above you decide to study at, there are

some basic guidelines you must consider:

Choosing a Choosing a Choosing a Choosing a School School School School ---- Admission PolicyAdmission PolicyAdmission PolicyAdmission Policy!!!!!!!!!!!!

MeritMeritMeritMerit(45%)(45%)(45%)(45%) Catchment Catchment Catchment Catchment

(25%) (25%) (25%) (25%)

ELPS ELPS ELPS ELPS

(20%) (20%) (20%) (20%)

The Rule is:The Rule is:The Rule is:The Rule is:

- You are more likely to be admitted in schools that have

your state of origin as their Catchment area

- State schools have preference for their Indigenes

- Candidates from ELPS are also given special preference

ELPS – Educational Less Privileged States

Choosing a Choosing a Choosing a Choosing a School School School School –––– CompetitivenessCompetitivenessCompetitivenessCompetitiveness

Some schools are highly competitive; they admit far less

than 10% of their applicants, so if you must choose them be

sure you put in extra effort to earn great UTME score.

They are:

CollegesCollegesCollegesColleges ofofofof EducationEducationEducationEducation

PolytechnicPolytechnicPolytechnicPolytechnic

UniversityUniversityUniversityUniversity

“There are no secrets to

success. It is the result of

Preparation, Hard work,

and Learning from failure”.Colin Powell

UTME Study UTME Study UTME Study UTME Study StrategyStrategyStrategyStrategy

By now, you should have a chosen at least a course and the

corresponding UTME Subjects – 3333 andandandand UseUseUseUse ofofofof EnglishEnglishEnglishEnglish.

November December January February March Total

Days 30 31 31 28 31 151

Weeks 5 5 5 4 5 24

Week - 1Achieving my

Admission Goal -

at one attempt!

Study + at the

weekend PQ (1988)

Study + at the

weekend PQ (1993)

Study + at the

weekend PQ (1997)

Study + at the weekend PQ

(2001)

Expect

the

Best!

Week - 2Study + at the

weekend PQ (1989)

Study + at the

weekend PQ (1994)

Study + at the

weekend PQ (1999)

Study + at the weekend PQ

(2003)

Week - 3What Course Should I

Study? / Choosing a

Course and School

Study + at the

weekend PQ (1991)

Study + at the

weekend PQ (1995)

Study + at the

weekend PQ (2000)

Study + at the weekend PQ

(2008)

Week - 4 Study StrategyStudy + at the

weekend PQ (1992)

Study + at the

weekend PQ (1996)

PQ (2002) - exam

condition 3hrs

30min

Study + at the weekend PQ

(2009)

Week - 5 Study Begins (4 Subjects)

PQ (1990) - exam

condition 3hrs

30min

PQ (1998) - exam

condition 3hrs

30min

PQ (2010) - exam condition

3hrs 30min

Remember to buy your JAMB form as soon as possible!Remember to buy your JAMB form as soon as possible!Remember to buy your JAMB form as soon as possible!Remember to buy your JAMB form as soon as possible!

UTME Study UTME Study UTME Study UTME Study StrategyStrategyStrategyStrategy

According to the table, Study Strategy starts from Week 4.

This is where you are expected to come up with a plan on

how to study for the forthcoming exam.

I have simplified it, just follow some few explanations. JAMBJAMBJAMBJAMB

SyllabusSyllabusSyllabusSyllabus, RecommendedRecommendedRecommendedRecommended TextTextTextText and PastPastPastPast QuestionsQuestionsQuestionsQuestions are vital for

your preparation:

� Syllabus – 4444 SubjectsSubjectsSubjectsSubjects

� Recommended textbooks – 1111 mainmainmainmain andandandand othersothersothersothers asasasas referencereferencereferencereference

� Past Questions – 1988198819881988 totototo 2012201220122012 ((((25252525 pastpastpastpast questions)questions)questions)questions)

UTME Study UTME Study UTME Study UTME Study Strategy Strategy Strategy Strategy ---- SyllabusSyllabusSyllabusSyllabus

The JAMB Syllabus contains all that you are required to

understand and would be tested on in the UTME.

From the 1st week of Dec, assume UTME holds April 1st

week, it would be exactly 19 weeks to JAMB 2013 exam.

How many topics are listed for each of your UTME Subject?

Per subject, divide the No. of Topics by No. of weeks; this will

show the number of Topics you are expected to cover per

week for each UTME subject.

AssumeAssumeAssumeAssume EconomicsEconomicsEconomicsEconomics;

Total topics = 24

Total weeks = 19

Topic per Week =

OverOverOverOver aaaa TopicTopicTopicTopic perperperper week!week!week!week!

UTME Study UTME Study UTME Study UTME Study Strategy Strategy Strategy Strategy –––– Past QuestionsPast QuestionsPast QuestionsPast Questions

You are expected to do this for each UTME Subject, this way

you can properly plan your reading time.

There are total of 25years Past questions (1988 – 2012).

Having used 4years Past Questions to arrive at the subjects

you are best at; we are left with 21years Past Questions.

If you divide 21years Pass Questions by 19 Weeks, this

means you should practice 1 Past Question per week. There

are two approaches:

- Finish a topic and attempt all past questions from 1988

to 2012 where the topic appeared, or

- Take one year past question and attempt the questions

relevant to the Topic just studied.

See the general table for guideSee the general table for guideSee the general table for guideSee the general table for guide

UTME Study UTME Study UTME Study UTME Study Strategy Strategy Strategy Strategy –––– Past QuestionsPast QuestionsPast QuestionsPast Questions

At the last week of every month, you are expected to

examine yourself with a past question under exam

condition of 3hrs:30minutes.

…in case you still have questions……in case you still have questions……in case you still have questions……in case you still have questions…

Talk to me…Talk to me…Talk to me…Talk to me…

…I am available …I am available …I am available …I am available –––– Always!…Always!…Always!…Always!…