The numbers don't lie: 75% of candidates who sat for the 2025 UTME scored below 200. Out of 1,955,069 candidates, only 420,415 achieved scores that give them a realistic chance at admission. Less than 1% scored above 300.
This isn't a one-time anomaly. The average failure rate from 2018 to 2024 is 78.3%. Three out of every four UTME candidates fail to score 200 or above.
If you're preparing for the next UTME, these statistics should be your wake-up call. The difference between the 25% who succeed and the 75% who don't isn't just intelligence — it's preparation strategy.
The Brutal Reality: 7 Years of UTME Data
According to JAMB's statistical analysis released in January 2026, the failure trend has remained consistent for nearly a decade:
| Year | Candidates | Below 200 | Failure Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1,502,978 | 1.19M | 74.1% |
| 2019 | 1,792,719 | 1.40M | 77.0% |
| 2020 | 1,949,983 | 1.54M | 79.2% |
| 2021 | 1,351,215 | 1.14M | 87.2% |
| 2022 | 1,837,011 | 1.33M | 77.8% |
| 2023 | 1,595,779 | 1.17M | 76.6% |
| 2024 | 1,842,464 | 1.40M | 76.1% |
| 2025 | 1,955,069 | 1.53M+ | 75.0% |
Source: The Punch, JAMB 2025 statistics (see references)
This isn't just a Nigerian problem. Ghana's 2025 WASSCE results show a similar crisis: Core Mathematics pass rates dropped from 67% to 49%, with F9 grades nearly quadrupling. Over half of 461,736 candidates are now ineligible for tertiary admission. Read more about the West African education crisis →
The pattern is clear: without a structured preparation approach, the odds are stacked against you. But here's the good news — you can beat these odds with the right tools and strategy.
Your Secret Weapons: Textbooks + Tenkobo Surpass
The most effective UTME preparation combines traditional study with modern learning technology. Your textbooks and class notes provide the foundation; Tenkobo Surpass provides the reinforcement and testing that locks knowledge into long-term memory.
What Surpass Offers You
Surpass gives you 1,200 English questions and 800 questions per subject (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Maths, and more) — all covering the full UTME syllabus. Each question comes with detailed explanations, formulas, usage examples, and further reading. You can practice these questions in four different modes:
SM2 Flashcards
The richest learning experience. The front side shows the question; flip it to reveal a beautiful tabbed layout with definitions, synonyms, usage examples, explanations, and further reading. The SM2 algorithm schedules reviews right before you forget.
Short Quizzes
Quick practice sessions to test your understanding. After each quiz, Quiz Review shows you the correct answers with detailed explanations for every question you got wrong.
Mock Exams
Full-length timed exam simulations that build stamina and speed. Quiz Review after each mock lets you learn from mistakes with clear explanations.
Arena
Speed training that doesn't feel like studying. Winning triggers dopamine, making practice addictive instead of boring — while building the reflexes you need for exam day's 40-second pace.
The Science Behind These Tools
A 2024 study in Academic Medicine found that spaced repetition is superior to repeated study for learning and knowledge retention. And a meta-analysis of 159 studies found that active recall (testing yourself) outperforms passive re-reading in 81% of cases, with an effect size of 0.50. These aren't gimmicks — they're proven cognitive science.
The 90-Day Method: How It Works
This method divides your preparation into three phases. Each day, you'll combine textbook study with Surpass reinforcement:
The Daily Cycle
- Step 1: Take a short quiz or mock exam — discover which topics you're weak at, use Quiz Review to see explanations (20-30 mins)
- Step 2: Go to your textbook to study those weak topics in depth (30-45 mins)
- Step 3: Use flashcards to reinforce — the learn_more content provides additional explanations and examples (15-20 mins)
- Step 4: Review due SM2 flashcards from previous days to lock in long-term memory (10-15 mins)
- Step 5: Play Arena for speed training — dopamine keeps you motivated while building exam-day reflexes (10-15 mins)
Phase 1: Foundation (Days 1-30)
Goal: Cover all topics at surface level
Read through your entire syllabus using your textbooks. After each topic, immediately reinforce with Surpass flashcards. Don't aim for mastery yet — aim for familiarity.
Phase 2: Strengthening (Days 31-60)
Goal: Master difficult topics
Focus 70% of your time on topics you found difficult in Phase 1. Use short quizzes to identify weak spots — the Quiz Review will show exactly where you went wrong. Then go back to your textbook for deeper understanding before reinforcing with flashcards again.
Phase 3: Exam Simulation (Days 61-90)
Goal: Build exam stamina and speed
Take full mock exams to simulate actual UTME conditions. After each mock, use Quiz Review to analyze your mistakes with detailed explanations, then go back to your textbook for the topics you struggled with and reinforce with flashcards.
Schedule for Science Students
(Physics, Chemistry, Biology, English)
| Phase | Morning (2hrs) | Afternoon (2hrs) | Evening (1.5hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 Days 1-30 | Physics textbook + Surpass flashcards | Chemistry textbook + Surpass flashcards | Biology OR English + short quiz |
| Phase 2 Days 31-60 | Weak subject deep dive + flashcards | Second weak subject + short quizzes | SM2 review (all subjects) |
| Phase 3 Days 61-90 | Mock exam (1 subject) | Quiz Review + textbook | Flashcard reinforcement |
Science Student Tips:
- Physics: Focus on calculations and formulas. Use flashcards for formula memorization, then practice numerical problems from your textbook.
- Chemistry: Equations and periodic table trends are heavily tested. Organic chemistry needs extra attention — use short quizzes to test reaction mechanisms, then review explanations.
- Biology: Heavy on memorization. SM2 flashcards are your best friend here. Focus on diagrams and labeling.
Schedule for Engineering Students
(Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, English)
| Phase | Morning (2hrs) | Afternoon (2hrs) | Evening (1.5hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 Days 1-30 | Mathematics textbook + Surpass flashcards | Physics textbook + Surpass flashcards | Chemistry OR English + short quiz |
| Phase 2 Days 31-60 | Mathematics problem practice + quizzes | Physics calculations + flashcards | SM2 review (all subjects) |
| Phase 3 Days 61-90 | Mock exam (1 subject) | Quiz Review + textbook | Flashcard reinforcement |
Engineering Student Tips:
- Mathematics: This is your highest-scoring opportunity. Practice, practice, practice. Work through as many of the 800 maths questions as possible before exam day.
- Physics: Overlaps heavily with maths. Master the formulas first (flashcards), then solve problems from textbooks.
- Chemistry: Don't neglect it. Many engineering students lose points here. Use short quizzes regularly to maintain baseline knowledge.
Schedule for Business/Social Science Students
(Mathematics, Economics, Government/Commerce, English)
| Phase | Morning (2hrs) | Afternoon (2hrs) | Evening (1.5hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 Days 1-30 | Economics textbook + Surpass flashcards | Government/Commerce + flashcards | Mathematics OR English + short quiz |
| Phase 2 Days 31-60 | Mathematics deep practice + quizzes | Weak social science subject + quizzes | SM2 review (all subjects) |
| Phase 3 Days 61-90 | Mock exam (1 subject) | Quiz Review + textbook | Flashcard reinforcement |
Business/Social Science Student Tips:
- Economics: Graphs and theories are key. Use flashcards for definitions and concepts, then practice graph interpretation from textbooks.
- Government/Commerce: Heavy memorization subjects. SM2 flashcards will save you hours — the algorithm ensures you review before you forget.
- Mathematics: Don't avoid it! Many business students lose points here. Focus on statistics, probability, and commercial arithmetic.
Why This Method Works
Textbooks Provide Depth
Your recommended textbooks contain the detailed explanations and worked examples you need to truly understand concepts. Don't skip this foundation.
SM2 Flashcards Lock It In
The spaced repetition algorithm shows you each card at the optimal time for memory consolidation. You'll remember 90%+ of what you study.
Quizzes + Quiz Review Reveal Gaps
Short quizzes expose what you think you know vs. what you actually know. Quiz Review shows you exactly where you went wrong with detailed explanations.
Mock Exams Build Stamina
Full-length timed mock exams simulate actual UTME conditions. With 800-1,200 questions per subject, you'll have plenty of material to build speed and endurance.
Supercharge Your Practice: Arena
Studying for 90 days straight is hard. That's where Arena comes in — speed training disguised as gaming. Every win triggers a dopamine hit, turning what would be boring repetition into something you actually want to do. And while you're having fun, you're building the reflexes you need for exam day.
Research-Backed Gamification
A 2024 meta-analysis in the British Journal of Educational Technology found that gamification improves academic performance with an effect size of 0.782. A longitudinal study comparing 1,001 students over 3 years showed gamified learning improved success rates by 14% and excellence rates by up to 122% compared to traditional methods.
Why Arena Works
Speed Training That's Actually Fun
UTME gives you just 40 seconds per question across 180 questions. Arena builds your speed through timed challenges — but unlike boring drills, winning triggers dopamine, making you want to play again and again.
Competitive Motivation
Compete against other students on leaderboards. Healthy competition keeps you engaged when motivation dips during the 90-day journey.
Topic Retention Through Repetition
Games naturally encourage replay. Each replay reinforces the concepts, creating multiple retrieval practice opportunities for difficult topics.
Represent Your School
Join the Africa Schools Competition and compete for the ₦1,600,000 launch prize while you study. Your practice contributes to your school's score.
The best time to use Arena is after your regular study session. Finished your flashcards? Play a 5-minute game. Completed a practice session? Challenge yourself on the topics you got wrong. It turns "I should study more" into "Just one more round."
"75% of candidates fail not because they're not smart enough, but because they don't have a system. Your textbooks + Surpass = a system that works."
Your 90-Day Checklist
- 1 Get your textbooks ready — JAMB-approved texts for all four subjects
- 2 Download Tenkobo and set up Surpass with your UTME subjects
- 3 Follow the daily cycle: Quiz/Flashcards (discover gaps) → Textbook → Flashcards (reinforce) → SM2 Review
- 4 Use the schedule for your course — Science, Engineering, or Business
- 5 Take mock exams in Phase 3 to build exam stamina, use Quiz Review to learn from mistakes
- 6 Play Arena to stay motivated and compete with peers
- 7 Walk into your exam confident, prepared, and ready to join the 25%
Don't Be a Statistic
The 2025 UTME results are a warning: studying without a system doesn't work for most students. If you keep doing what everyone else is doing — reading without testing, cramming without spacing, avoiding mock exams — you'll get what everyone else is getting.
Your textbooks provide the knowledge. Tenkobo Surpass provides the system to actually remember what you study. Together, they give you an edge that 75% of candidates don't have.
Start your 90-day journey today. Your future self will thank you.
References:
- The Punch. "Over 1.5 million candidates scored below 200 in 2025 UTME." punchng.com → Accessed 11 January 2026.
- Kerfoot, B.P., et al. (2024). "The Effect of Spaced Repetition on Learning and Knowledge Transfer in a Large Cohort of Practicing Physicians." Academic Medicine. PubMed →
- Rowland, C.A. (2014). "The Effect of Testing Versus Restudy on Retention: A Meta-Analytic Review." Psychological Bulletin. 159 studies, overall effect size g = 0.50. ERIC →
- Zeng, J., et al. (2024). "Exploring the impact of gamification on students' academic performance: A comprehensive meta-analysis (2008-2023)." British Journal of Educational Technology. Wiley →
- Ortiz-Rojas, M., et al. (2024). "Impact of Gamification on Students' Learning Outcomes and Academic Performance: A Longitudinal Study." Education Sciences, 14(4), 367. MDPI →
- MyJoyOnline. "Ghana education crisis deepens as WASSCE results expose systemic gaps." myjoyonline.com → Accessed 11 January 2026.
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