JAMB (Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board) is an entrance examination for students seeking admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Every year, millions of students take the JAMB exam, which is known for its difficulty level. Scoring high marks in JAMB is crucial for gaining admission into a desired institution. Recently, there has been speculation that JAMB is adding 40 marks to all candidates’ scores. In this article, we will explore this claim and provide an explanation of how JAMB scores are calculated.
Understanding JAMB Scores
To understand whether JAMB is adding 40 marks, it is essential to first understand how JAMB scores are calculated. JAMB is a computer-based test that comprises four subjects: English Language, Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry. Each subject has 40 questions, and each question carries one mark. Therefore, the total marks for the exam are 400.
JAMB uses a grading system known as the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) scores. UTME scores range from 0 to 400, with each subject contributing a maximum of 100 marks. Therefore, a student’s UTME score is the sum of their marks in the four subjects tested in JAMB.
For example, if a student scores 70 in English Language, 80 in Mathematics, 75 in Physics, and 85 in Chemistry, their UTME score would be 310 (70 + 80 + 75 + 85).
JAMB also uses a normalization process to ensure that the scores of candidates are equated, irrespective of the difficulty level of the exam in different years. The normalization process takes into consideration the mean and standard deviation of the scores of all candidates who took the exam in a particular year. The scores are then adjusted to ensure that they are comparable to previous years.
Is JAMB Adding 40 Marks?
There has been a recent rumor that JAMB is adding 40 marks to all candidates’ scores. This rumor began circulating on social media, causing confusion and anxiety among students. However, JAMB has officially debunked this rumor, stating that it is false and misleading.
In a statement released by JAMB, the board emphasized that the UTME scores of candidates are calculated based on the performance of each candidate in the exam. JAMB also warned candidates against engaging in any illegal activities, such as exam malpractice or seeking to influence their scores through fraudulent means.
Explanation of the Rumor
The rumor that JAMB is adding 40 marks to all candidates’ scores may have stemmed from a misunderstanding of the normalization process used by JAMB. As explained earlier, JAMB uses a normalization process to ensure that the scores of candidates are equated, irrespective of the difficulty level of the exam in different years.
During the normalization process, some candidates’ scores may be adjusted upward, while others may be adjusted downward. This adjustment is done to ensure that the scores of candidates are comparable to previous years. However, the adjustment is not a fixed number, and it varies from candidate to candidate, depending on their performance in the exam.
Therefore, it is possible that some candidates may have received an upward adjustment of 40 marks or more during the normalization process. However, this adjustment is not a fixed number, and it is not done for all candidates. The adjustment is only done to ensure that the scores of candidates are comparable to previous years.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the claim that JAMB is adding 40 marks to all candidates’ scores is false and misleading. JAMB scores are calculated based on the performance of each candidate in the exam, and the normalization process is used to ensure that the scores of candidates are equated, irrespective of the difficulty level of the exam in different years. Therefore, it is important for candidates to focus on their preparation
