How to Score Extremely HIGH in JAMB 2025 & 2026 [8 Top Secrets]

Introduction

Scoring extremely high in the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity for serious candidates aiming for top-tier courses and institutions in Nigeria. In today’s competitive academic landscape, securing a score of 280 and above could be the difference between gaining admission into your dream university or sitting at home for another year.

Whether you’re preparing for JAMB 2025 or JAMB 2026, this post will walk you through eight powerful strategies that top scorers have consistently used to crush the exam. These are not just tips—they are tested and proven secrets that separate average students from exceptional ones.

If you’re determined to stand out, outperform your peers, and increase your chances of getting into highly sought-after courses like Medicine, Law, Engineering, or Accounting, then keep reading. These secrets could change your academic life forever.

Why a High JAMB Score Matters

Scoring high in JAMB is not just about passing an exam—it’s about maximizing your chances of gaining admission into a competitive institution and course. Every mark matters. In an environment where hundreds of thousands of students are chasing limited university spaces, your JAMB score is the first filter that determines whether you’re even considered for admission.

Below are the major reasons why scoring extremely high in JAMB—280 and above—can make a life-changing difference:

1. Admission into Competitive Courses

Top courses like:

• Medicine and Surgery

• Law

• Pharmacy

• Engineering

• Nursing

• Computer Science

• Accounting

…often require extremely high scores, especially in federal universities like UNILAG, UI, OAU, UNN, UNIBEN, ABU, and UNILORIN.

Even if your Post-UTME score is good, most schools still use JAMB as a major component in the final admission ranking. A JAMB score of 280+ makes you a strong contender right from the start.

2. Meeting or Exceeding Departmental Cut-Off Marks

Each department has its own cut-off mark, often higher than the general school cut-off. For instance:

• A school’s general cut-off may be 180, but Medicine might require 310+

• Law may require 290–300, while Mass Communication may start around 250

A high JAMB score gives you room to breathe and compete at the departmental level.

3. Post-UTME Advantage

Most institutions calculate your total admission score using a weighted average of:

• JAMB score

• Post-UTME score

• Sometimes O’Level grades

For example, a school might use this formula:

Admission Score = (JAMB ÷ 8) + (Post-UTME ÷ 2)

In this case, scoring 320 in JAMB gives you 40 points out of 50—which is a strong head start before you even write the Post-UTME.

4. Increased Chance of First Batch Admission

Many schools release multiple batches of admission lists: merit list (first batch), second list, supplementary list, etc. Students with the highest JAMB and Post-UTME scores are prioritized in the first batch, which is usually for merit-based candidates.

The benefits of first batch admission include:

• Early clearance and registration

• Better accommodation options

• More time to prepare for school life

5. Scholarship Opportunities

Several federal and private bodies offer merit-based scholarships strictly to candidates with exceptional JAMB scores. For example:

• PTDF, NNPC, NLNG, and other oil companies

• State government education boards

• Private universities trying to attract brilliant students

These scholarships can cover:

• Full or partial tuition

• Stipends for books and accommodation

• Mentorship and internship opportunities

But almost all require one thing: a very high JAMB score, usually above 280–300.

6. Freedom to Choose

With a low score, candidates are often forced to change institutions or settle for less competitive courses during JAMB change of course/institution. A high score gives you the freedom to choose:

• The university you really want

• The course you’re passionate about

• Whether or not to write Post-UTME (some schools waive it for high scorers)

7. Respect and Confidence

Let’s face it: scoring 300+ in JAMB earns you not just admission but respect from peers, parents, and teachers. It builds confidence that can carry you through university and beyond.

8. Future Career Boost

A high JAMB score can be the beginning of an impressive academic record. If you continue to perform well, it may:

• Qualify you for fellowships and study-abroad programmes

• Make you eligible for academic awards during university

• Stand out on your CV as part of your excellence trajectory

Now that you understand why scoring high is essential, let’s dive into the 8 top secrets that can help you make it happen.

The 8 Top Secrets to Scoring 280+ in JAMB

Scoring extremely high in JAMB—280, 300 or even 320+—doesn’t happen by chance. It is the result of smart strategies, disciplined preparation, and focused practice. Below are the eight proven secrets used by top scorers across Nigeria.

1. Start Early – Don’t Wait for the Exam Timetable

One of the biggest mistakes students make is waiting for JAMB to announce the exam date before they start studying. By then, it’s usually too late to cover the syllabus thoroughly.

How to Start Early:

• Begin serious preparation 6–8 months before the exam date.

• Create a weekly reading plan and stick to it.

• Break your syllabus down into monthly goals and weekly targets.

• Dedicate specific days for each subject, rotating them to maintain balance.

Students who start early have time for multiple revisions, practice tests, and mock exams—and that’s what gives them an edge.

2. Use Only JAMB-Recommended Textbooks

JAMB publishes an official list of recommended textbooks for each subject. These are the materials used to set questions, especially for Literature in English, Biology, Government, Economics, and Christian Religious Studies (CRS).

Why It Matters:

• Many students waste time studying from outdated or off-curriculum materials.

• JAMB examiners focus on the exact language, topics, and examples in these recommended texts.

What You Should Do:

• Get the JAMB syllabus and cross-reference your textbooks.

• Stick to titles mentioned in the syllabus. For example:

  • “Invisible Man” by Ralph Ellison for Literature

  • “New School Chemistry” by Ababio for Chemistry

• Avoid random “JAMB past questions and answers” books that don’t cite sources or explanations.

3. Master the JAMB Syllabus

This is the foundation of all smart preparation. The JAMB syllabus outlines every topic you need to know, and nothing comes outside it.

How to Use It Effectively:

• Download the official syllabus for each subject from the JAMB website.

• Make a checklist of topics, and mark them as you study and revise.

• Pay close attention to topics with “Objectives” and “Recommended Texts.”

Top scorers don’t read aimlessly. They study the exact topics JAMB will test.

4. Practice CBT Questions Daily

JAMB is now fully Computer-Based (CBT), and many students struggle not because they don’t know the content, but because they are unfamiliar with the speed and system of CBT exams.

What You Should Do:

• Use trusted CBT platforms like:

  • Myschool.ng CBT app

  • Flashlearners CBT

  • Pass.ng

  • JambPrep

• Set a target to practice at least 50–100 questions daily across all four subjects.

• Focus not only on getting answers right but understanding why you got some wrong.

Bonus Tip:

Simulate full exams once a week. Use a timer and a quiet room. Treat it like the real thing.

5. Study Smart, Not Just Hard

Many students spend hours reading but retain very little. Top scorers use smart techniques like:

a. Active Recall

• Close your book and write out what you remember.

• Test yourself before checking your notes.

b. Spaced Repetition

• Revise topics at intervals (1 day, 3 days, 1 week, etc.) for better retention.

c. Pomodoro Technique

• Study for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break.

• After four sessions, take a longer break.

• This boosts focus and prevents burnout.

d. Use Flashcards

• Particularly useful for subjects with a lot of definitions or formulas.

e. Teach What You Learn

• If you can explain a topic clearly to someone else, you understand it well.

6. Take Full-Length Mock Exams

Mock exams are the ultimate training ground. They reveal:

• Your readiness

• Time management skills

• Weak areas

How to Maximize Mock Exams:

• Take them under real exam conditions (no calculator, no phones).

• Time yourself strictly (Use 2 hours max for all four subjects).

• Analyze your performance after each mock and adjust your reading plan.

Top scorers take at least 5–10 full mock exams before the real JAMB.

7. Get a Study Partner or Join a Serious Group

The right group can:

• Motivate you

• Help explain confusing topics

• Keep you accountable

But Be Careful:

• Avoid groups that waste time with gossip or distractions.

• Choose partners who are goal-driven, consistent, and serious.

• Consider joining structured online JAMB prep communities.

If you’re self-disciplined, even a small study partnership can push you far.

8. Stay Healthy, Rested, and Mentally Strong

Academic success isn’t only about books. Your brain needs rest and your body needs energy.

Tips:

• Get at least 7 hours of sleep per night.

• Eat brain-boosting foods: fish, eggs, beans, vegetables.

• Drink enough water.

• Avoid energy drinks or drugs claiming to boost focus—they may harm you.

• Practice positive self-talk. Remind yourself: “I’m capable. I will succeed.”

Exam Day:

• Wake up early.

• Eat light and nutritious breakfast.

• Arrive at your CBT centre early.

• Don’t panic if others finish early—focus on your work.

Summary of the 8 Secrets