JAMB 2025 Exam State Restrictions: Here’s All You Need to Know

Many candidates preparing for the JAMB 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) are asking if there are any restrictions on where they can take the exam. With the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) clarifying its stance, this article explains what you need to know about JAMB 2025 exam state restrictions and how they affect your registration and exam center choice.

Are There JAMB 2025 Exam State Restrictions?

No. The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board has confirmed that there are no restrictions on the state in which candidates can take the JAMB exam in 2025. Whether you live in Kwara State, Osun State, Kano State, or Ebonyi State, you are allowed to write your exam in any state across Nigeria.

This means UTME candidates can register and choose any examination town they prefer, regardless of their state of origin or current residence.

According to Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, the JAMB Registrar, all candidates will be assigned centers within their selected examination towns, not outside them.

How to Choose Your Examination Town During Registration

During JAMB registration, you must select a preferred examination town. The registration process allows you to choose from a list of available towns in various states.

• JAMB will allocate your center within the selected town.
• You will not be moved to another town or state after selection.
• Ensure early registration to secure your preferred location.

For instance, if you live in Cross River State but prefer to write your exam in Lagos or Kwara State, that’s perfectly acceptable—as long as the town is available during registration.

What About the JAMB Mock Exam?

The mock exam is an optional practice test conducted before the main UTME. For the 2025 mock examination, only a few states like Kano, Taraba, and Yobe had remaining slots due to early fill-ups in other locations.

Note:

• This applied only to the mock examination, not the main UTME.
• It was introduced to help UTME candidates familiarize themselves with the CBT system.

If you missed the mock exam, it won’t affect your eligibility or score in the main exam.

Myths About JAMB State Restrictions

Myth 1: You must take the exam in your state of origin

False. You can choose any town in any state.

Myth 2: Centers in big cities like Lagos give better scores

False. The Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination is computer-based and centrally scored. Your location does not affect your results.

Myth 3: You’ll be disqualified if your state of residence differs from your exam state

False. JAMB only requires valid details during UTME registration, including your National Identification Number (NIN) and correct personal data.

What If Your Chosen Town Is Filled?

If your preferred exam town becomes unavailable during registration, you must choose from the remaining towns. JAMB will not assign you to any town not selected by you.

That’s why it’s advised to:

• Begin the 2025 UTME registration early.
• Check the list of available towns regularly.
• Avoid waiting until the deadline.

How to Confirm Your Exam Town and Center

After registration, you’ll be required to reprint your exam slip from the JAMB portal to confirm:

• Exam date
• Examination town and center
• Time and seat number

👉 Use the official portal: https://slipsprinting.jamb.gov.ng

The slip reprinting is usually available one week before the exam begins.

Important Dates for the 2025 UTME

• UTME Start Date: April 24, 2025
• Mock Exam: Concluded
• Slip Reprinting Begins: Mid-April
• Result Release Timeline: Within 48–72 hours post-exam

These dates are crucial for candidates across Nigeria, including those applying to institutions like Western Delta University, Arthur Jarvis University, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, or Bingham University.

Understanding JAMB’s Central Admission Process

After the UTME, candidates must monitor their admission status through:

• JAMB CAPS (Central Admissions Processing System)
• Matriculation list
• Their personal JAMB profile

These tools ensure that admissions into tertiary institutions follow due process. Avoid any institution or agent offering illegal admission, especially outside the approved JAMB brochure guidelines.

Conclusion

To summarize:

• There are no JAMB 2025 exam state restrictions.
• You can write the JAMB exam in any state or town you prefer.
• Register early to get your choice of examination town.
• Stay updated through official JAMB platforms to avoid misinformation.
• Make sure your registration, biometric verification, and documents are accurate.

FAQs

Q1: Can I take the 2025 UTME in a different state from where I live?
Yes, you can. JAMB allows full freedom of choice across all states.

Q2: Will JAMB assign me to a center outside my chosen town?
No. You’ll be placed within the examination town you selected during registration.

Q3: What is the benefit of taking the mock exam?
The mock exam helps you get used to the CBT environment. It’s optional.

Q4: How do I know my exam center and date?
Reprint your slip from slipsprinting.jamb.gov.ng before the exam date.

Q5: What happens after the exam?
Check your JAMB CAPS and matriculation list to monitor your admission into your preferred tertiary institution.