An analysis of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results reveals a significant improvement in candidate performance, particularly in the top-scoring brackets, when compared to the past 12 years since the inception of the Computer-Based Test (CBT) in 2013.
This is according to the analysis of the statistical data uploaded by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) via its X handle @JAMBHQ.
The data shows that in the current year, 17,025 candidates, representing 0.88% of the total, scored 300 and above, more than doubling the 8,401 (0.46%) who achieved this feat in 2024 and marking the highest number in this category over the 13-year period.
The JAMB released results for a total of 1,931,467 candidates in 2025, the highest number recorded since 2013. This year’s performance indicates a positive shift across several metrics.
The number of candidates scoring 250 and above also saw a substantial increase, rising to 117,373 (6.08%) in 2025 from 77,070 (4.18%) in 2024. This is the highest figure recorded in this band since the CBT era began.
Furthermore, the benchmark score of 200 and above was achieved by 565,988 candidates, or 29.3% of the total. While this is a notable increase from 439,961 (24%) in 2024 and 355,689 (23.36%) in 2023, it falls slightly short of the peaks seen in 2016 (34%) and 2015 (31%).
Conversely, the percentage of candidates scoring below 200 has seen a welcome decline. In 2025, 70.7% (1,365,479 candidates) scored below 200, an improvement compared to 76% in 2024 and 76.64% in 2023. This figure represents one of the lowest proportions of candidates scoring below 200 in recent years, though higher than the 66% recorded in 2016 and 69% in 2015.
Looking back at the 13-year data, the journey of UTME scores under CBT has seen significant fluctuations. The early years (2013-2014) recorded very few candidates scoring 250 and above.
A notable dip in performance, especially in top scores, was observed in 2021, when only 724 candidates scored 300 and above (0.06%), and only 13% scored 200 and above. However, the results from 2024 and particularly 2025 suggest a strong upward trend in candidate performance.
This year’s improved outcomes, especially the record number of high-flyers scoring 300 and above, will likely intensify competition for admission into Nigeria’s tertiary institutions. It also sparks discussion on the factors contributing to this enhanced performance, whether changes in preparation, examination standards, or educational focus.
See the analysis as released by JAMB
