Post-UTME Past Questions: Complete Guide for Nigerian Universities (2025)
PassVerse Team
22 January 2025
Scoring high in JAMB UTME gets you through the first gate. Post-UTME is the second gate — and many students who scored above 280 in JAMB have lost their university admission because they did not take it seriously. This guide tells you exactly what Post-UTME is, how each major university conducts it, and how to prepare so that your JAMB score is not wasted.
What Is Post-UTME and Why Does It Matter?
Post-UTME (Post Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination) is a screening test conducted by individual Nigerian universities for candidates who scored above the institution's cut-off mark in JAMB. It is the university's own examination — administered, marked, and weighted according to each school's internal policy.
Not all universities still conduct Post-UTME in the traditional sense. Some use a Post-UTME aptitude test, some use direct entry screening, and others now rely on JAMB scores plus O-level results. However, the majority of Nigeria's top federal and state universities still require a Post-UTME screening, and your performance on it directly affects whether you receive admission even if your JAMB score is excellent.
Your final aggregate score — the number that determines admission — is typically a combination of your JAMB score, Post-UTME score, and O-level grades. In most universities, the weighting is 50% JAMB and 50% Post-UTME, though this varies.
How Post-UTME Differs from JAMB
Understanding the differences saves you from using the wrong preparation strategy.
Format is university-specific. JAMB is a single, standardised national exam. Post-UTME is designed by each university. The number of questions, subjects tested, and marking scheme differ from one institution to another.
Shorter exam, less time. Most Post-UTME tests contain between 50 and 100 questions with a time allowance of 30 to 60 minutes. That means you have significantly less time per question than in JAMB. Speed matters more.
Subjects overlap with JAMB but are not identical. You will typically be tested on your four JAMB subjects plus — in some universities — additional topics such as General Knowledge, Current Affairs, or Verbal Reasoning. Universities with professional courses (Medicine, Law, Engineering) sometimes add subject-specific aptitude questions.
Cut-off marks vary by university and course. A score that secures admission to one department at one university may not be sufficient for a similar course at another. Research your specific university's historical Post-UTME cut-off for your course before setting your target score.
Top Universities and Their Post-UTME Format
Important note: University Post-UTME formats change regularly. Always check your specific university's official website or admissions portal for the most current requirements before your exam.
University of Lagos (UNILAG) UNILAG's Post-UTME is conducted as a Computer-Based Test (CBT). Candidates are typically tested on English Language, Mathematics (for science/engineering courses), and their two other JAMB subjects. The test runs for approximately 30 minutes. UNILAG is known for its strict mark scheme — every mark counts and the competition for high-demand courses like Medicine and Mass Communication is intense.
University of Ibadan (UI) UI's screening process has evolved over recent years. The university typically tests candidates on their four JAMB subjects in a CBT format. UI places significant emphasis on O-level grades in its aggregate calculation. Candidates for health science courses face additional scrutiny. Check the UI admissions portal for the current format as it has changed multiple times since 2020.
Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) OAU conducts a Post-UTME aptitude test covering the candidate's four JAMB subjects plus a General Paper. The General Paper at OAU tests verbal and quantitative reasoning. OAU's Post-UTME is consistently regarded as one of the more challenging in Nigeria — prepare for harder-than-average questions.
University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) UNILORIN is notable for placing very heavy weight on its own Post-UTME score in the final aggregate. The test covers JAMB subjects and is conducted as a CBT. UNILORIN candidates should be aware that the institution's Post-UTME score can significantly raise or lower their final aggregate, making thorough preparation essential even for candidates with high JAMB scores.
University of Benin (UNIBEN) UNIBEN administers a Post-UTME that covers English Language, Mathematics, and the candidate's remaining two JAMB subjects. UNIBEN also factors in O-level performance. The university has been consistent in its format in recent years. Engineering and Medical courses are particularly competitive.
Sample Post-UTME Questions with Answers
The following questions represent the style and difficulty level of typical Post-UTME aptitude tests.
English Language
Question 1: Choose the word closest in meaning to the underlined word: "The politician's verbose speech bored the audience."
A. Inspiring B. Lengthy and wordy C. Short and precise D. Aggressive
Answer: B — Verbose means using more words than necessary; wordy and long-winded.
Question 2: Identify the grammatically correct sentence:
A. Neither the students nor the teacher were present. B. Neither the students nor the teacher was present. C. Neither the students nor the teacher are present. D. Neither the students nor the teacher have been present.
Answer: B — When "neither...nor" joins a singular noun (teacher) and a plural noun (students), the verb agrees with the noun closest to it. "Teacher" is singular, so "was" is correct.
Mathematics
Question 3: Simplify: log₁₀ 8 + log₁₀ 125
A. log₁₀ 133 B. 3 C. log₁₀ 1000 D. Both B and C
Answer: D — log₁₀ 8 + log₁₀ 125 = log₁₀ (8 × 125) = log₁₀ 1000 = log₁₀ 10³ = 3. So the answer is 3, which equals log₁₀ 1000.
Question 4: A car travels 120 km in 1.5 hours. What is its average speed in m/s?
A. 80 m/s B. 22.2 m/s C. 33.3 m/s D. 13.3 m/s
Answer: B — Average speed = 120 km ÷ 1.5 hours = 80 km/h. Convert: 80 × 1000 ÷ 3600 = 22.2 m/s.
General Knowledge
Question 5: The Nigerian Constitution that is currently in operation was enacted in which year?
A. 1979 B. 1989 C. 1999 D. 2003
Answer: C — The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) is the constitution currently in operation. It was promulgated on 29 May 1999 at the return to civilian rule.
Question 6: Which of the following is NOT a function of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)?
A. Issuing Nigerian currency B. Collecting federal government tax revenue C. Managing foreign exchange reserves D. Regulating commercial banks
Answer: B — Tax revenue collection is the function of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), not the CBN. The CBN issues currency, manages foreign reserves, and regulates banking institutions.
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Study Strategy for Post-UTME
Start with JAMB past questions. The single most effective foundation for Post-UTME preparation is JAMB past questions from the last five years. Post-UTME questions in your subject areas are drawn from the same syllabus JAMB uses. If you performed well in JAMB, it means your JAMB preparation already covered most of what Post-UTME will test. Reinforce that foundation.
Get university-specific past questions. After covering JAMB material, seek out past Post-UTME questions from your specific target university. These are available on PassVerse and other preparation platforms. University-specific questions reveal the preferred question style, difficulty level, and subject emphasis of your institution's Post-UTME.
Train for speed. This is the most overlooked aspect of Post-UTME preparation. In JAMB, you have roughly 40 seconds per question. In Post-UTME, you may have as little as 20–25 seconds per question. Practise under timed conditions from your first study session. Students who can do JAMB-style questions at JAMB pace are rarely caught off guard by Post-UTME timing.
Never neglect English comprehension. Virtually every Nigerian university's Post-UTME tests English Language, regardless of the candidate's course of study. Comprehension passages, lexis and structure, and grammatical accuracy questions appear consistently. Do not assume your JAMB English score means you are adequately prepared — Post-UTME English questions can be more nuanced.
What to Expect on Post-UTME Day
CBT at most universities. The majority of federal universities now administer Post-UTME as a Computer-Based Test. If you have never practised on a CBT interface, practise on PassVerse or your university's mock test portal before exam day. Navigating an unfamiliar interface costs time.
What to bring. Bring your JAMB registration slip and a valid means of identification (National ID, Voter's card, International passport, or school ID for candidates still in secondary school). Most universities also require your Post-UTME registration printout. Confirm the requirements on your university's admissions portal — failure to bring correct documents can bar you from the exam hall.
Time management on exam day. When you enter the exam hall, scan all the questions before you begin answering. Identify the easy questions first and answer those. Flag the harder ones and return to them. Do not spend more than 45 seconds on any question during your first pass. In the final minutes, answer every question you have flagged — there is no penalty for guessing in Post-UTME.
Stay calm before the exam. Anxiety kills performance. Students who have prepared consistently should enter the hall with confidence. Students who have not can still recover marks on comprehension and general knowledge if they stay level-headed and read carefully.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Post-UTME usually conducted? Post-UTME typically takes place between June and October each year, after JAMB results are released and universities have identified eligible candidates. Dates vary by university and year. Check your university's website or JAMB's portal for the specific date each year.
How is Post-UTME score calculated with JAMB score? The most common formula used by Nigerian federal universities is: Aggregate = (JAMB Score ÷ 8) × 0.5 + (Post-UTME Score ÷ Maximum Post-UTME Score × 100) × 0.5. Some universities use different weightings — always confirm your target school's formula. Your O-level grades may also form part of the aggregate at some institutions.
Can I use JAMB past questions for Post-UTME? Yes — JAMB past questions are the most effective preparation material for Post-UTME subject areas. Post-UTME questions are drawn from the same syllabus. However, supplement JAMB past questions with university-specific Post-UTME past questions to understand the specific question style and format your institution uses.
What score do I need to pass Post-UTME? There is no universal pass mark — it depends on your university, your chosen course, and the performance of other candidates in that sitting. For competitive courses like Medicine, Law, and Engineering at top universities, you need to score above 70% in Post-UTME to be competitive. For less competitive courses, 50–60% may be sufficient. Research historical cut-off scores for your specific course and university.
Conclusion
Post-UTME is not a formality. Every year, students with excellent JAMB scores lose admission because they walked into Post-UTME underprepared. Your JAMB score got you to the gate — Post-UTME decides whether the gate opens.
Prepare with the same discipline you applied to JAMB. Use past questions, time yourself relentlessly, and focus on the specific format of your target university. You have already done the hardest part. Do not let Post-UTME undo it.
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