How to Avoid Common Errors with JAMB Past Questions for 2025/2026; JAMB is a very important exam for students in Nigeria. It helps determine which university or polytechnic a student can attend. One of the best ways to prepare for JAMB 2025/2026 is by practicing with past questions. However, many students make mistakes when using past questions, which can affect their performance. In this article, we will talk about how to avoid common errors with JAMB past questions, so you can be better prepared and do well in your exam.
Why Avoiding Errors with JAMB Past Questions is Important
Before we get into the mistakes, let’s first understand why avoiding them is so important.
- Improved Accuracy: When you avoid common errors, you will be able to answer questions correctly. This increases your chances of getting a good score.
- Better Time Management: Mistakes can waste time during the exam. If you practice well, you will know how to answer questions quickly and correctly.
- Confidence Boost: Knowing that you are practicing correctly will make you feel more confident when it’s time to take the real exam.
Now, let’s look at some of the most common mistakes students make when practicing with JAMB past questions, and how you can avoid them.
READ ALSO: How to complete your JAMB registration without errors
1. Not Understanding the Question Before Answering
One of the most common mistakes students make is not fully understanding the question before answering it. Sometimes, students rush to answer without reading the question carefully, which can lead to mistakes.
How to Avoid This Mistake
- Read the Question Twice: Always read the question carefully at least two times. This will help you understand what is being asked before you start answering.
- Look for Keywords: Pay attention to important words in the question. Words like “not,” “except,” “always,” or “usually” can change the meaning of the question, so make sure you understand them.
- Identify What the Question is Testing: Ask yourself what the question is testing. Is it testing your knowledge of a concept? Is it asking for a definition? Understanding the goal of the question can help you answer it correctly.
Example:
If a question asks, “Which of the following is not true about photosynthesis?” make sure to notice the word “not,” as it changes the answer choice you should pick.
2. Not Timing Yourself When Practicing
Another common error is failing to practice under timed conditions. In the real JAMB exam, you will have a limited amount of time to answer each question. If you don’t practice within a time limit, you may struggle to finish the exam on time.
How to Avoid This Mistake
- Use a Timer: When practicing with JAMB past questions, set a timer for the same amount of time you will have in the real exam. This helps you get used to managing your time properly.
- Practice with Mock Exams: Try taking full mock exams under timed conditions. This will help you practice pacing yourself and making sure you can complete all the questions on time.
- Start Slow, Then Speed Up: If you’re new to practicing with timed conditions, don’t worry if you can’t answer questions quickly at first. Start slowly and then try to speed up as you get more comfortable.
Tip:
If you’re taking a 45-minute test with 50 questions, aim to spend around 1 minute on each question. Practicing this will help you in the real exam.
3. Relying Too Much on Memory
Some students make the mistake of only memorizing the answers to past questions without really understanding the concepts behind them. This can lead to problems when the exam presents a new question that isn’t exactly like the ones you’ve memorized.
How to Avoid This Mistake
- Understand, Don’t Just Memorize: When practicing with JAMB past questions, focus on understanding the reasoning behind the answers. Don’t just memorize the answers; learn why the answer is correct.
- Learn the Concepts: Take time to study the topics that past questions cover. For example, if you’re practicing Math questions, make sure you understand the formulas and steps used to solve problems.
- Do More Than Just Past Questions: It’s important to study from textbooks and other resources, not just focus on past questions. This will help you understand the bigger picture and not just the exact questions that have been asked before.
Example:
If you’re studying for Chemistry and you memorize the answer to a question on chemical reactions, make sure you understand how the reaction works, not just the correct answer.
4. Not Reviewing Mistakes
Many students don’t take the time to review the mistakes they make when practicing with past questions. Without reviewing your wrong answers, you won’t learn what went wrong, and you might keep making the same mistakes.
How to Avoid This Mistake
- Review Every Question: After you practice with past questions, go back and review both the questions you got right and the ones you got wrong. For the wrong answers, try to understand why you made the mistake.
- Learn from Your Errors: When you make a mistake, don’t just move on. Take the time to look at the solution, understand why your answer was wrong, and see what the correct approach is.
- Track Your Progress: Keep a record of the mistakes you’ve made, and keep track of how many you are getting right as you practice. This can help you see areas where you need to improve.
Tip:
Write down common mistakes you make, such as skipping steps in Math or misunderstanding words in English questions. This will help you avoid repeating them.
5. Skipping Difficult Questions
Some students skip difficult questions in practice and only focus on the ones they find easy. While it’s okay to move on if you’re unsure about an answer, skipping too many difficult questions in practice can hurt you in the real exam.
How to Avoid This Mistake
- Attempt Every Question: Even if you don’t know the answer, always try to answer every question. In JAMB, unanswered questions are marked wrong. So, guess if you have to, but don’t leave any blank.
- Mark for Review: If you can’t answer a question right away, mark it and come back to it later. Don’t waste too much time on one question. Answer the ones you can and then come back to the tough ones.
- Improve Your Weak Areas: If you notice that there are certain topics you find difficult, spend extra time studying those areas. The more you practice, the easier these questions will become.
Tip:
Try doing a few practice exams where you focus only on the most difficult questions. This will help you get used to challenging questions and improve your confidence.
6. Not Using the Right Resources
Some students make the mistake of using outdated or incorrect resources to practice. Using wrong materials can lead to practicing questions that aren’t relevant or accurate.
How to Avoid This Mistake
- Use Trusted Study Materials: Make sure to get your JAMB past questions from trusted sources like the official JAMB website, popular study guides, or reliable online platforms.
- Check for Updates: As JAMB exams change over time, make sure your resources are up-to-date with the current exam format.
- Combine Multiple Resources: Use a mix of books, online platforms, and apps. This will give you a broader range of questions and solutions to practice with.
Tip:
Visit the JAMB website or use apps like Pass.ng, which provide verified and up-to-date past questions and answers.
Conclusion
Avoiding common errors when practicing with JAMB past questions can make a big difference in your exam results. By following the tips in this article, you will be able to study more effectively, manage your time better, and improve your chances of success in the 2025/2026 JAMB exams.
Remember: Read questions carefully, practice under timed conditions, understand the methods, review your mistakes, and use the right resources. Keep practicing and stay confident – success is within your reach!
READ ALSO: Common mistakes during JAMB 2025/2026 registration