THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE PUTME

Things you need to do before Post UTME

It is expected and much anticipated that after participating in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Exam (UTME), you also partake in your preferred institution's Post UTME Matriculation Examination or screening be it as it may.   

There are several things you need to know before the commencement of this exercise. Not all students who have attempted UTME for more than one sitting without gaining admission have low marks. They just didn't get it because of an information they didn't get rightly.

My favorite mantra when it comes to the issue of admission is, "if you get the right information and exposure you need, with determination and strong preparation, nothing can hinder you from entering the institution of your choice".

Therefore, I urge you to carefully take note of the following points. They are things you need to know and consider before obtaining the PUTME form of your preferred institution.

1. Be sure you meet the Institution Cut off. 

All institution have a cut off mark, in which any student who doesn't meet it won't be considered for admission regardless whether you purchase their PUTME form or not.

Schools like UI, OAU, UNILAG set their cut off mark at 200. This implies that any student who doesn't have a minimum of this score and proceed to obtain their form is on his or her own. 

If eventually you discovered that you didn't meet the minimum cut off of your preferred institution, there are no two ways about it, you need to obtain a change of institution to other available institutions who consider the score you have for admission.

2. Be sure of your Subject Combination. 

Subject combination error have cost a lot of students their admission. There is a right combination for each course in any institution. Sadly enough, the combination that goes for a course in an institution might be different from that of another. 

For instance, to study Food Science and Technology in the Federal University of Technology Akure; FUTA, you need to have written Physics/Mathematics, Use of English, Biology/Agric and Chemistry. However this is different for Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta; FUNAAB. To study Food Science in FUNAAB, Biology is compulsory in lieu of Agric. 

This applies to some other courses as well in several other institutions. If you have a wrong subject combination, the implication it has is no admission. 

Be sure you have a right subject combination for the course you have in mind to study. If you discover you have wrong subject combination, it would be better you change to a course that accept the combination you have written.

3. Know your Institution's Screening method and be prepared. 

There are basically two methods of screening which several institutions have adopted. 

• Pre-Aptitude Test. 

This is what you commonly know as PUTME exam. It's the method adopted by several schools. 

• Documents screening/clearing. 

This method is based on validating your documents, while giving more attention to your UTME and SSCE result. Points are allocated to students based on calculation of how good your result is. Schools like FUOYE still make use of this method. In this case, no exams are written. 

You need to be aware and sure of your Institution method of screening students before obtaining the form just so you can prepare well.

4. Be prepared. Admission is not automatic. 

Admission is not automatic. It is very competitive. It is a matter of the survival of the fittest. If your preferred school of choice adopts writing exam to screen students, then you must aim high to have an high score. Having someone you know in the admission office, or a lecturer who can be of help is not a reason good enough to sit down and relax. 

If your Institution chooses Document screening and allotting points based on UTME and SSCE results calculations, then you must be sure you are presenting the right document. Any falsification can lead to a denial of your admission.

5. Be Current and updated. 

Know the things happening around you. It's saddening that some student don't know when their institution release form until it closes. 

Try as much as you can to have legit source of information. Be current so you don't miss your chances.

6. Be prayerful. 

You and I know that admission in Nigeria is not only based on your ability. Therefore, having done all to pass and excel, do not forget to also surrender things to God in prayer. If there is a man who can pray, then there's a God to answer. 

I hope this piece is helpful to you, share with your friends and colleagues on your social media group and platforms. 

If you have a question you can hit the comment session below. 

I wish you excellence in your endeavours.