My JAMB Score Is Low: Here's What You Can Do(Best advice)
JAMB released the 2024 UTME exam results on Monday. Out of the 1,842,464 candidates who took the exam, 1,402,490 candidates scored below 200 out of 400 marks.
Having a low JAMB Score isn't what anybody wants. Heck, it's not what you wish on your enemy. It's a time that can put your educational plans at a standstill. But it's not the end of the world.
Follow me closely…
There's a popular saying I heard a long time ago. It says "It's dangerous to take advice from someone who has never failed".
I am writing this piece from experience, I have been in your shoes and I have risen above expectations. As the Yoruba would say, "The Horse at the back shouldn't enter the same gallop as the one at the front".
It feels like yesterday when I rushed to check my JAMB results on JAMB CAPS. I had written the exam well enough to hit a huge score, or so I thought.
The result came out and I was a stick on the fence. I had 200 on the dot. This was a huge blow to my academic aspirations to study Geology at the University of Ilorin.
To gain admission confidently into UNILORIN, I needed to be better than just a "scrape-through". That took a huge toll on my burning spirit that just left senior secondary school.
And at that moment, I gave up.
This decision to just give up had an irreparable effect on my educational and overall life. For one, I lost time I could never get back.
What's the moral lesson from my story? "Getting a low score in JAMB isn't what matters, your response (action) after the low score is very important"
There are a lot of things you can do to salvage the situation. You don't have to drown in your tears or even waste precious time. Time doesn't stop ticking, neither should you.
After looking back at my mistakes, here are some things I would have done to salvage my situation after a low score in JAMB.
What You Can Do After Getting A Low Score in JAMB
The following are the things you can do after getting a low score in JAMB.
Pivot and look beyond your JAMB score
What do I mean by Pivot?
I'm talking about erasing your whole plan and drawing up a new one. After a rather disappointing score in JAMB, your next question should be, What's the next best option?
The following are some of the next best options you can have;
1. Pick a new course
Every course has different cut-off marks for Universities. A cut-off is the required mark for a student to have before gaining admission into the university.
If it so happens that your JAMB score can't cut it in the final cut-off, then you can substitute for a course that your JAMB score would be enough for.
The question on your mind now is; "Am I not settling for less?"
No, you are not. Every course in the University has its relevant role in the outside world and for humanity overall. Picking a new course of study might open your mind to a new face of life.
A course with high prospects and interesting etiquette in the university is Human Kinetics and Health Education. If I could go back in time, My 200 would be enough and I would enjoy my course.
See: A Quick Guide To UNILORIN Cut-Off Mark, School Fees, and Portal
2. Pick a new University
It's funny how when we finally get what we think we want in life, we realise it wasn't worth the wait. I had a friend in school who waited five years to get into the University of Lagos, Akoka.
5 Solid years? JAMB after JAMB?
When he finally got in, he realised he shouldn't have waited so long. If you have a low score in JAMB, find schools that offer the same course you are looking to study with a lesser cut-off.
Do these popular Universities teach the course the best? No. The hype that comes with the popular schools is their reach, connection and social lives. You would be surprised what better jobs the less popular Universities do.
So, switching is not bad. This is why JAMB gives you four options when picking the schools you want to go to. This implies that you should put the necessary thought into picking the four options in case of a Low JAMB score
3. Direct Entry
Direct Entry (DE) is a mode of entry into Nigerian universities that allows candidates with advanced educational qualifications to gain admission into universities at an advanced level, not the regular 100 Level/First year.
Universities organize Direct entry programs where you can pay a sum of money to take their exams after a year's study to gain admission directly to the second year.
The Direct entry program is a better avenue because you do not have to start from the beginning (first year). You need a WAEC result. Different schools have different requirements though.
The benefit of being a Direct Entry student is you already adapt to the school environment before resuming normal schooling activities.
Going through the direct entry route is not an assurance of admission later on. You have to be dedicated and serious to it.
4. Diploma Programs
Diploma courses are the next best thing to a degree. It takes less time and money to complete. It can be completed in about 1-2 years max.
Welding, healthcare, dentistry, and business are examples of professional programs that are standard diploma programs.
They are offered by educational institutions and colleges and focus on specific skills for career readiness. With your SSCE, you can apply for a diploma in a University of your choice.
With less time and money, you can accumulate diplomas and still be level even with those with a degree.
5. Learn A Skill
If you haven't heard this word from a mouth or two in recent times, then your ears are not to the ground. The times we live in presently advise that you don't just rely on your degree.
Boost your chances at life with a skill here or here. The skill can cut across ay sphere of life, from fashion, cooking, tech, etc.
See: The Top Ten Skills You'll Need in 2025
Skill up guys. Your low score in JAMB is irrelevant. Here you can show just how creative and brilliant you are.
Schools that accept below 200 in JAMB
If your JAMB score is 200 or below, here are some Universities you can apply to;
Abia State University, Uturu
University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID)
Usmanmu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto
University of Uyo (UNIUYO)
University of Calabar (UNICAL)
Kogi State University (KSU)
Ambrose Ali University, Edo State (AAU)
Michael Okpara University of Agriculture (Umudike) Anambra State
Kaduna State University
Imo State University (IMSU)
University of Jos ,Jos {UNIJOS}
Tai Solarrin College of Education, Ijebu-Ode
Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State
Ebonyi State University {EBSU}
Federal University of Petroleum, Effurun
Enugu State University of Science & Technology
Rivers State University of Science & Technology {RSUST}
Delta State University, Abraka {DELSU}
With a score of 200 or below, these are the schools you can attend.
Schools that accept below 180 in JAMB
1. Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU)- 160
2. Achievers University Owo, Ondo State- 120
3. Adamawa State University Mubi (ADSU)- 150
4. Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State- 120
5. Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD)- 150
6. Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, Oyo State- 160
7. Akwa Ibom State College of Arts and Science Nung, Ukim- 150
8. Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU)- 170
9. Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Kwara State- 160
10. Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma- 170
11. Arthur Jarvis University, Akpabuyo, Cross River State- 120
12. Augustine University, Ilara, Lagos, Lagos State- 160
13. Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State- 170
14. Bauchi State University, Gadau (BASUG)-160
15. Baze University, Abuja, FCT-160
16. Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State-170
17. Caleb University, Imota, Lagos State-120
18. Caritas University, Amorji-Nike, Enugu, Enugu State-120
19. Catholic Institution of West Africa, Port Harcourt. (Affl To Univ of Calabar)-140
20. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, (COOU)-170
21. Clifford University, Owerrintta, Abia State.-120
22. Coal City University, Enugu, Enugu State.-120
23. College of Administrative and Business Studies, Potiskum-150
24. Corona College of Education, Lekki, Lagos State-120
25. Cross River University of Technology, CRUTECH-170
26. Crown Hill University, Eiyenkorin, Kwara State.-120
27. Delta State University (NDU)-160
28. Delta State University, Abraka, (DELSU)-170
29. Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki (EBSU)-150
30. Ecwa College of Education, Igbaja, Kwara State-140
31. Edo State Institute of Technology and Management, Usen-150
32. Edo University, Iyamho, Edo State-160
33. Edwin Clark University, Kiagbodo, Delta State-120
34. Ekiti State University (EKSU)-160
35. Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu (ESUT)-170
36. Evangel University, Akaeze, Ebonyi State-120
37. Federal School of Dental Technology and Therapy, Enugu-150
38. Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi (FUAM)-170
39. Federal University, Lafia, Nasarawa State (FULafia)-170
40. Federal University, Wukari, Taraba State (FUWukari) 170
41. Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State (FUOYE) 170
42. Fountain University, Osogbo, Osun State 120
43. Godfrey Okoye University, Urgwuomu- Nike, Enugu State 160
44. Gombe State Univeristy Gombe (GSU) 150
45. Gregory University, Uturu 140
46. Hallmark University, Ijebu-Itele, Ogun State 160
47. Hezekiah University, Umudi, Imo State-120
48. Ignatius Aturu University Of Education (IAUE)-120
49. Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu-160
50. Institute of Management and Technology Enugu-150
51. Ipere College of Education, Agyaragu, Nasarawa State-120
52. Jibwis College of Arabic and Islamic Education, Gombe, Gombe State-150
53. Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji-Arakeji, Ekiti State-160
54. Kaduna State University Kaduna (KASU)-170
55. Kebbi State University, Kebbi (KSUSTA)
56. Kings University, Ode-Omu, Osun State-120
57. Kogi State University Anyigba, (KSU)-170
58. Kwararafa University, Wukari, Taraba State-160
59. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH)
60. Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State-170
61. Lead City University, Ibadan, Oyo State-150
62. Madonna University, Okija, Imo State-160
63. Mcpherson University, Seriki Sotayo, Ogun State 120
Schools that accept below 150 in JAMB
1. University of Calabar (UNICAL)
2. Federal University Dutsin-Ma, Katsina (FUDutsinma)
3. Federal University Otuoke (FUOTUOKE)
4. Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE)
5. Federal University, Birnin-Kebbi (FUBK)
6. Lagos State University (LASU)
7. Rivers State University (RSU)
8. Abia State University Uturu (ABSU)
9. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH)
10. Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD)
List of Courses You Can Study With a JAMB Score of 200 or Less
Cutting across the various faculties from Arts, Sciences, Social Sciences, Education, there are some courses that would confidently accept you with the JAMB score of 200 or less.
List of Science courses
Fisheries
Agricultural science
Forest Resources Management or Forestry
Home Science and Nutrition
Soil Science
Animal Science
Botany
Anatomy
Marine Biology
List of Education courses
Arts Education
Health Education
Computer Science Education
Economics Education
Mathematics Education
Physics Education
Religious Studies Education
Biology Education
Chemistry Education
English Language Education
Guidance And Counselling Education
Yoruba/Igbo/Hausa Language Education
List of Art courses
Theatre Arts
Arabic and Islamic Studies
Christian Religious Studies
English and Literary Studies
Fine and Applied Arts (Creative Arts)
Yoruba and Communication Arts
Foreign Languages (French, Chinese) and Literature
History
Linguistics and Nigerian Languages
Music
Theatre and Film Studies
Guidance and Counselling
List of Social Science courses
Insurance
Psychology
Sociology
Marketing
Agricultural Economics
Accountancy
Business Management
Actuarial Science
Hospitality and Tourism
Estate Management
Health Administration and Management
That brings us to the end of this piece. I hope I have calmed the voices in your head and made you see reasons why your setback is only setting you up for better momentum.
My Last Words...
I'm sure you noticed I didn't mention staying put at home till the next year to write JAMB again. That is not the best option.
But...
If you want that badly, ensure to use your time wisely by learning a skill or taking free courses online. These would keep your brain sharp and active till the next trial.
Whatever you do, don't stop moving. Learn from me.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long do diploma programs take to complete?
Diploma programs typically take 1‑2 years to complete, and you earn a certificate after completing one particular course of study and upon passing the course’s final exam.
Diploma programs usually take less time and money than earning a degree.
2. How do I know a diploma program is right for me?
To see if a diploma program is right for you, consider your interests, timeline, and outcome goals. Also, be sure that the program you want to apply to is fully accredited.
3. Can I apply for direct entry with awaiting results?
Awaiting results are only accepted for IJMB and JUPEB programs. For DE registration, your original certificate or a statement of result from the past three academic years (2020/2021, 2021/2022, 2022/2023) is typically required.
4. What can I do if my JAMB score is low?
If you have a low JAMB score, and you don't want to stress yourself with a compensatory high Post UTME score, or shopping form, you can opt for institutions that don't need JAMB to admit you.
The most common Universities that don't need JAMB to give you admission are Private Universities.
