The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially begun the accreditation process for centres intending to participate in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
This critical exercise marks the first step in JAMB’s preparation for the annual examination, aimed at ensuring a seamless and credible testing environment for candidates across Nigeria.
A Step Toward a Smooth 2025 UTME
In a statement signed by the Board’s Director of Communications, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, JAMB emphasized the importance of the accreditation process.
It is designed to verify the readiness and compliance of Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres with the Board’s standards.
JAMB has made it clear that only centres that meet its stringent requirements will be approved for the 2025 UTME exercise.
Read Also:
Guidelines for New CBT Centres
For new CBT centres interested in participating, the process begins with a visit to JAMB’s official website to access the requirements for establishing a JAMB-approved centre. Key steps include:
- Submission of Intent: Prospective centres must notify JAMB in writing of their intention to participate in the accreditation exercise. The letter should be addressed to the Registrar of JAMB and routed through the Zonal Director or State Coordinator in their respective states.
- Account Creation: JAMB’s Zonal and State Offices will assist in creating accounts for new centres on the Centre Management System (CMS) Portal, enabling registration for the accreditation process.
Requirements for Existing Centres
Centres that were accredited and participated in the 2024 UTME without any hitches are not exempt from the 2025 accreditation process. They are required to:
- Register their interest via the CMS Portal to signal their readiness to participate.
- Conduct an Autobot/Autotest, a mandatory pre-accreditation test to assess the centre’s technical and operational capabilities.
Mandatory Autobot/Autotest
The Autobot/Autotest is a pivotal part of the accreditation process. According to JAMB, this test ensures that centres meet the necessary criteria before physical inspection. Centres must pass the test to proceed to the next stage:
- Physical Accreditation Visit: Scheduled for December 2024, this visit will involve JAMB officials verifying the centre’s readiness based on infrastructure, system performance, and compliance with the Board’s standards.
- Disqualification for Non-Compliance: Centres that fail to meet the required standards during the Autobot/Autotest will not be revisited or considered for the accreditation process.
What Happens After Accreditation?
Centres that successfully complete the Autobot/Autotest and meet all stipulated requirements will be included in JAMB’s official list of CBT centres for the 2025 UTME. These approved centres will handle the registration and examination of candidates during the UTME exercise.
JAMB’s Commitment to Excellence
Dr. Fabian Benjamin reiterated JAMB’s commitment to maintaining the credibility of its examination process. The accreditation exercise reflects the Board’s proactive measures to identify and eliminate substandard centres, ensuring candidates can take their exams without technical hitches or malpractices.
Importance of CBT Centre Compliance
The accreditation process serves as a filter, allowing only centres that demonstrate operational excellence to participate in the UTME. For candidates, this guarantees access to facilities that offer a smooth testing experience. For the Board, it reinforces its reputation as a reliable examination body.
Key Dates to Remember
- Autobot/Autotest: Date to be communicated to centres.
- Physical Accreditation Exercise: December 2024. Get more details from JAMB official website
JAMB’s rigorous accreditation process is to ensure the standards of the UTME is kept and progressive.
New and existing CBT centres must adhere to the outlined guidelines to secure their participation in the 2025 UTME.
Stakeholders are urged to cooperate and meet the set requirements to help the Board achieve a hitch-free examination process for the coming year.
