JAMB Exam Day Disqualifications: As the days of JAMB exam draws closer, it is important to look at some of those reasons why someone can be disqualified on the day of exam. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exam is one of the most important steps for students who aspire to gain admission into Nigerian universities, polytechnics, or colleges of education. It serves as the gateway to higher education, and every year, millions of candidates prepare rigorously in the hope of achieving excellent scores.
However, no matter how well you’ve studied or how confident you feel, certain avoidable mistakes on the day of the exam can ruin all your efforts. Sadly, many candidates get disqualified not because they didn’t read enough, but because they ignored key instructions or underestimated the seriousness of JAMB’s rules and regulations.
In this article, we will discuss the top five things that can disqualify a candidate on JAMB exam day and how you can stay clear of them. If you’re preparing for JAMB, take this information seriously—it could make the difference between success and failure.
Top 5 Mistakes That Can Disqualify You on JAMB Exam Day—and How to Avoid Them
Here’s a quick recap of what you should do:
- Arrive early at your exam centre.
- Bring all required documents.
- Leave all gadgets and banned items at home.
- Stay honest and avoid all forms of malpractice.
- Don’t allow anyone to impersonate you—or try to impersonate someone else.
Passing JAMB is very possible if you stay focused, follow the rules, and believe in your preparation. Don’t let carelessness or dishonesty undo all the work you’ve put in. Play by the rules, and success will follow.
1. Failure to Bring Valid Exam Documents
This might seem obvious, but many candidates forget important documents on exam day and get disqualified as a result. Without the right paperwork, you won’t be allowed into the exam hall, no matter how well you’ve prepared.
The primary document you must come with is your JAMB examination slip—this contains your registration number, exam date, time, and centre. In addition to this, bring along a valid form of identification, preferably the same one you used during registration. Some centres may also request your mock exam result printout (if you took the mock) or your JAMB profile printout.
How to Avoid This:
- Pack your documents a day before. Don’t wait till the morning of the exam.
- Make photocopies. Carry at least two copies of your exam slip and ID.
- Double-check your documents. Ensure your name and registration number match across all documents.
2. Coming Late to the Exam Centre
Time is everything when it comes to JAMB. The exam is computer-based and scheduled in batches, with each candidate assigned a specific time and centre. Arriving late is one of the most common yet devastating mistakes candidates make.
JAMB requires all candidates to arrive at their exam centres at least one hour before the start of their scheduled session. This is not a suggestion—it’s a rule. Arriving late could mean you miss biometric verification, or worse, you may find that your batch has already entered the hall and the doors have been locked. Once that happens, there’s little or nothing you can do. JAMB does not reschedule missed exams.
How to Avoid This:
- Plan ahead: Know your exam centre location well in advance.
- Account for traffic: Leave your home hours before the exam, especially if you’re in a busy city.
- Stay close to the venue: If your centre is far from where you live, consider staying at a nearby hotel or with a friend the night before.
3. Bringing Phones or Banned Items into the Exam Hall
JAMB has a zero-tolerance policy toward the possession of unauthorized items within the exam environment. Every year, hundreds of candidates get disqualified for carrying mobile phones or other banned items—even if they never intended to use them.
Items you must not bring into the exam hall include:
- Mobile phones
- Smartwatches
- Bluetooth devices
- USB drives
- Calculators
- Books or papers (unless explicitly allowed)
Some candidates have been disqualified for forgetting to switch off their phones, while others were caught with gadgets in their pockets or bags. JAMB officials are very strict, and in many cases, anyone found with a prohibited item is reported to security agencies.
How to Avoid This:
- Travel light. Only carry your exam slip, ID, and a pen (if required for signing attendance).
- Leave gadgets at home. Don’t assume you’ll be able to keep them outside the hall—some centres have no facility for storing personal belongings.
- Avoid temptation. Even if your phone is off, don’t bring it along. It’s not worth the risk.
4. Exam Malpractice or Cheating
Cheating in JAMB is a very serious offense, and the consequences are severe. If you’re caught engaging in any form of exam malpractice, your result will be cancelled immediately. In some cases, JAMB may even ban you from writing the exam in future years.
Forms of malpractice include:
- Copying from other candidates
- Asking or answering questions during the exam
- Using cheat sheets or external materials
- Accessing answers online
- Collaborating with someone outside the hall
Some students also fall into trouble because they become desperate during the exam. Remember: JAMB’s Computer-Based Test (CBT) system is monitored closely, and there are CCTV cameras in most centres. You will be watched from the moment you enter the hall.
How to Avoid This:
- Trust your preparation. If you’ve studied well, you don’t need to cheat.
- Focus on your own screen. Don’t look around or draw unnecessary attention to yourself.
- Avoid suspicious behaviour. Even whispering or looking at someone else’s screen can raise a red flag.
5. Impersonation or Use of Forged Identity
This is perhaps the most serious offense on this list. Some candidates attempt to cheat the system by hiring someone else to write the exam on their behalf, or by altering their identity or using fake documents. This act is known as impersonation, and it carries not only academic penalties but also legal consequences.
To prevent impersonation, JAMB uses biometric verification, such as fingerprint scanning. If your fingerprint doesn’t match the one captured during registration, you’ll be disqualified instantly. It doesn’t matter if the person trying to sit for the exam looks exactly like you—the system will detect the fraud.
How to Avoid This:
- Be honest. Never allow anyone to register or write the exam for you.
- Use your real identity. Make sure all registration information matches your legal records.
- Don’t forge documents. Any document that cannot be verified can lead to your disqualification and possible arrest.
Final Advice for All JAMB Candidates—JAMB Exam Day Disqualifications
JAMB Exam Day Disqualifications are heart-breaking, especially as it concerns losing your chance of gaining admission into a higher institution—not because you were unprepared, but because of a simple, avoidable mistake. Every year, thousands of students fall victim to disqualification due to carelessness, misinformation, or poor judgment.
As you prepare for your exam, remember that success is not just about studying hard—it’s also about being responsible and following instructions. JAMB is a serious exam, and the officials don’t take kindly to rule-breakers. Click HERE for more on JAMB.
Good luck!
