Are you a prospective candidate preparing for this year’s Post UTME?
The Post Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (Post UTME) otherwise known as Screening Examination by some schools, is a crucial determinant of the admission status of candidates by the majority of the institutions in Nigeria; hence, it is important that you make the Post UTME preparation adequate and intentional.
As much as you dedicate time and energy to the Post UTME preparation process, there are certain common mistakes frequently made by many students that you should avoid. In this article, we will discuss the possible mistakes students are likely to commit during Post UTME preparation and how to avoid them.
But why should you take Post UTME preparation seriously in the first place?
Why Post UTME Preparation is Important
The Post UTME/Screening exam is the most important phase in the admission seeking stages for candidates, and here are some reasons why preparing adequately for it is very critical.
Competitiveness
In order to select a fraction of candidates from the tens of thousands who choose an institution every year, the institution uses an internal control mechanism. For example, the University of Ibadan has to choose less than 4000 from the 30,000 aspirants every year, University of Ilorin admits less than 12000 from more than 100,000 aspirants, that’s 13% and 12% admission rates respectively. These universities are left with no choice than to screen out several other thousands of other aspirants.
The true test of knowledge and Aptitude
Many tertiary institutions do not believe that UTME scores and WASSCE/GCE/NECO results are sufficient to test the knowledge of candidates. In fact, they do not have confidence in the integrity and veracity of these exams.
The University of Ibadan recorded a massive number of students with high UTME scores and multiple A’s in their WASSCE/GCE/NECO being asked to withdraw from the university when she did not conduct the Post UTME screening in the 2016/17 session. Since then, she has adopted a 50:50 UTME:Post UTME policy. The O Level credits are just minimum qualification requirements.
The Admission Determinant
The Post UTME examination determines the admission status of a candidate. To be considered for admission by the University of Ibadan at all, a candidate must score at 50% in the Post UTME. So a candidate who scores 356 in the UTME, but 49% in the Screening exam is not eligible for admission. This is enough reason why your Post UTME preparation must be solid.
Personal Development and Self Confidence
Preparing for the Post UTME exam does not only give you a high chance of admission, it prepares you for other career paths that may require screenings and tests. While some universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education prefer students to write aptitude test containing general knowledge and reasoning, others engage students in one-on-one interview sessions and document validation.
The processes above are all important in the professional realm. Recruiters not only require your degree and certificates to employ you, they engage you in series of interviews, aptitude tests, and exercises to screen out successful personnel from their pool of applicants.
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Now that you understand why Post UTME preparation is important, let us discuss the common mistakes and how to avoid them.
The Common Mistakes in Post UTME Preparation
In the following paragraphs, we will go over the mistakes aspirants make in depth, providing useful insights and practical solutions to help you avoid them while also maximising your chances of success and excellent results. Let’s get started!
Overlooking English Language Proficiency
English language proficiency is a critical aspect of the Post UTME examination. In fact, it is used in all aptitudes (professional or academic). Many students make the mistake of assuming that English Language does not need deep studying or that their UTME English preparation is sufficient. Nay! Some schools can even go as far as using TOEFL or IELTS materials .
We will strongly advise you to ensure you allocate dedicated study time for English language skills, including grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension. Practice sample questions and seek assistance if needed to improve your English proficiency.
Poor Time Management
Many students believe that Post UTME exams are easier to pass. Some others rely on their seemingly high UTME scores, hence, they do not dedicate adequate time for preparation.Time management is critical for the Post-UTME exam, and poor time management in preparation, on the other hand, can jeopardise your performance.
Failure to set aside distinct study times, being easily sidetracked, or leaving issues until the last minute can all be damaging. Make and stick to a study regimen. Divide your study time according to subjects, and set aside extra time for tough topics. In this manner, you can cover the full syllabus while still having time for corrections.
Overlooking the Syllabus
Another common mistake many aspirants make is to underestimate the significance of basic concepts in the Post-UTME syllabus. Different schools have different subject combinations set with different patterns. The University of Lagos use basically the 40-question English-Mathemtics-General Paper model, the University of Ibadan set 25 questions on each of your UTME combination subjects.
Knowing the question format is a crucial issue because it enables you determine the main topics and concepts to focus on. We advise that you go through the official curriculum, or use past questions to plan your preparation properly. Cover all of the topics provided, paying special attention to those with a larger weightage.
Inadequate Question Practicing
The post-UTME exam requires you to not only understand concepts and topics, you will also need speed and accuracy in responding to questions. Many students commit the error of concentrating entirely on theoretical comprehension without adequate practise. It is critical to practise in order to enhance your time management abilities, uncover flaws, and gain confidence. To improve your speed and accuracy, practise mock exams, timed quizzes, and previous year’s papers on a regular basis.
Poor Exam Simulation
Another blunder to avoid is to ignore exam simulation. You should create an examination environment for yourself. Many students study in distraction-free locations yet fail to generate an exam-like environment during their preparation. This can result in anxiety and poor performance on exam day.
Practise answering questions in a timed environment under exam-like conditions. Learn about the test interface, question format, and necessary resources (such as calculators). You will adjust better to the actual exam atmosphere if you do this.
Not Paying Attention to Current Events and General Knowledge
In the Post-UTME examination, many schools will test your knowledge of current affairs and general knowledge. Ignoring this aspect could lose you precious marks. Keep up with current happenings on a national and international scale. Regularly read newspapers, magazines, and internet news sites. Keep up to date on key events, government legislation, scientific advances, and notable people. Set up time to study general knowledge themes and practise questions.
How to Avoid Common Post UTME Preparation Mistakes
Below are our tips to avoid the common errors students commit during Post UTME preparation
- Improve your English Proficieny, in some schools English Language has the highest number of questions as in your UTME.
- Plan and prepare adequately for the exam. Back this up with consistency and see your self-confidence boom.
- Each institution has her own method of setting questions, study based on what’s relevant to the exam you are preparing for
- Ensure to practice questions on every topic you read. Also, have a timed simulation of the Post UTME not less than two times every week.
- General knowledge is as important as physics, literature or accounts as far as admission is concerned in some schools. It is high time you paid attention to things around you.
Conclusion
The Post UTME exam is a very crucial determinant of your admission into dream institution. You will need to be dedicated, focused, diligent, and consistent to ace in your Post-UTME preparation. You also have to utilize a well-planned and methodical approach to be able to ace the exam. Improve your preparation and increase your chances of success by avoiding common errors.
Remember to prioritise practising past questions, efficiently manage your time, cover the complete syllabus, practise under exam-like situations, and develop your English language skills and general knowledge.
Also, be proactive in your approach, seek help when necessary, and maintain your confidence throughout the preparation process. You can overcome these difficulties and attain your targeted Post-UTME results with perseverance and the correct techniques.
We wish you the very best!
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