Millions of Nigerian students take the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) every year - the gateway into universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. But a common question many students ask is:

“Is JAMB the same for everyone?”

The short answer is No - it’s not the same for everyone.

Although all candidates sit for the same exam under the same computer-based testing (CBT) system, the questions and subjects differ based on what you applied to study.

How JAMB Subject Combinations Work

When registering for JAMB, every candidate selects four subjects - Use of English (which is compulsory for everyone), plus three other subjects related to their intended course of study. Each department or discipline has specific requirements.

For example:
- Medicine and Surgery: Use of English, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics
- Law: Use of English, Literature-in-English, Government or CRS/IRS
- Economics: Use of English, Economics, Mathematics, and Government or Geography
- Engineering: Use of English, Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry
So, a student applying for Medicine will not answer the same set of questions as someone applying for Law or Economics. This helps ensure that candidates are tested in areas that are relevant to their chosen fields.

Question Variation Within the Same Subject

Even among candidates who select the same subject combination, JAMB’s system randomizes questions. This means: The order of questions can differ.
Some questions may be swapped with equivalent ones from the same topic pool. You might not get the same exact set of questions as your friend sitting next to you.

This process helps to maintain fairness and prevent examination malpractice while ensuring every student is tested on the same topics and difficulty level.

What This Means for You as a Candidate

- Study your subject combination thoroughly. Focus on the JAMB syllabus for each subject.
-Since questions are randomized, what others get might not appear on your screen. Prepare smartly.
-Understand key topics and past question patterns for your selected subjects.

Conclusion

While JAMB uses the same exam system and structure for all candidates, the questions you see depend on your chosen subject combination and course of study. The goal is fairness - every student is tested based on the knowledge required for their desired academic path.

So, the next time someone says, “We’re all writing the same JAMB,” remember - the format might be the same, but the content is personalized to your future career.