JAMB Admission Status Showing Not Admitted – Causes and Solutions (2025 Guide)

For many Nigerian students, gaining admission into higher institutions is one of the most important milestones in life. Every year, after writing the JAMB UTME (Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination) and possibly post-UTME or screening exams, candidates rush to the JAMB CAPS portal to check their admission status.

But instead of seeing “Admitted,” many are faced with the message: “Not Admitted.”

If you are in this situation in 2025, you are not alone. Thousands of candidates across Nigeria experience this challenge every year. The good news is that “Not Admitted” does not always mean you have lost all hope. Sometimes, it is a temporary status. Other times, it indicates a problem that can be solved if you know the causes and apply the right solutions.

This comprehensive guide will explain:

• The meaning of “JAMB Admission Status: Not Admitted.”

• The major causes of not being admitted.

• Step-by-step solutions to fix the problem.

• Alternative pathways if admission does not come.

• Common mistakes candidates make when checking admission status.

• Frequently asked questions with clear answers.

By the end of this article, you will fully understand why your admission status is showing “Not Admitted” and what you can do next to increase your chances of securing admission in 2025.

Understanding JAMB Admission Status

Before diving into causes and solutions, it is important to understand what JAMB admission status means.

After you write the UTME and possibly the post-UTME/screening exercise of your chosen institution, your performance is processed by both your school of choice and JAMB. The JAMB CAPS (Central Admission Processing System) is then updated to reflect whether:

• You have been offered admission.

• You are still under consideration.

• Or you are not admitted.

The “Not Admitted” status usually falls under two categories:

1. Temporary Not Admitted: This means admission is still ongoing. Your name has not yet been uploaded or processed. You still have a chance.

2. Final Not Admitted: This means you have not been offered admission for that session. You may need to explore alternatives or wait for another year.

Understanding which category applies to you is the first step toward finding the right solution.

Causes of JAMB Admission Status Showing Not Admitted

Many factors can cause JAMB CAPS to show “Not Admitted.” Let’s look at the most common ones in detail:

1. Low UTME Score

• If your JAMB score is below the cut-off mark set by your chosen institution, you may not be considered for admission.

• Highly competitive courses like Medicine, Law, and Engineering often require very high UTME scores.

2. Post-UTME/Screening Performance

• Some institutions conduct post-UTME or screening exercises.

• Even if you passed UTME, a poor performance in post-UTME can disqualify you.

3. Wrong Subject Combination

• Choosing the wrong subjects during UTME registration can make you ineligible for certain courses.

• For example, a candidate applying for Medicine without Chemistry cannot be admitted.

4. Incomplete O’level Results

• If your WAEC/NECO/NABTEB results do not meet the requirement of 5 credits including English and Mathematics, your admission will be affected.

• Some candidates also fail to upload their O’level results to JAMB CAPS.

5. Competition and Limited Slots

• Institutions have limited spaces.

• Even if you meet the cut-off, competition may push you out of consideration if others perform better.

6. Choice of Institution and Course

• Choosing a very competitive course or institution increases your chance of being denied.

• Federal universities often attract more applicants than state universities.

7. O’level Result Not Uploaded on CAPS

• If your O’level result is not uploaded on JAMB CAPS, your admission cannot be processed.

8. Not Accepting Admission on Time

• Some candidates see “Admission in Progress” but fail to accept it on time. Eventually, the offer is withdrawn.

9. School Has Not Released Admission List

• Sometimes, “Not Admitted” simply means the school has not yet uploaded names. Patience is required.

10. Issues with JAMB CAPS System

• Technical delays or errors on the JAMB portal can also cause temporary “Not Admitted” status.

Solutions to JAMB Admission Status Showing Not Admitted

Now that you know the possible causes, let us look at the practical solutions.

1. Be Patient – Admission is in Batches

• Admission is not released at once.

• Keep checking CAPS regularly as more batches are uploaded.

2. Upload Your O’level Results

• Visit a JAMB CBT center to confirm if your WAEC/NECO/NABTEB result has been uploaded.

• If not, upload immediately.

3. Consider Changing Course or Institution

• If your score is too low for your first choice, you can apply for Change of Course/Institution through JAMB.

• Pick less competitive courses or state/private universities.

4. Ensure Correct Subject Combination

• Check JAMB brochure to confirm your subject choices match your course requirements.

• If wrong, you may need to change course.

5. Contact Your School’s Admission Office

• Sometimes, the school has offered admission, but JAMB has not updated it.

• Contact your school directly for clarification.

6. Regularly Check JAMB CAPS

• Do not rely only on third-party websites.

• Log in to your JAMB profile and check CAPS at least weekly.

7. Accept or Reject Promptly

• Once you see “Admission Offered,” click Accept immediately.

• If you delay, JAMB may withdraw the admission.

8. Apply for Supplementary Admission

• Some universities offer supplementary lists.

• Apply if you did not get admission through the main list.

9. Consider Other Admission Alternatives

• If JAMB does not work, explore JUPEB, IJMB, Diploma, Part-time, NOUN, or Private Universities.

10. Prepare for Next UTME Early

• If all fails, do not waste time. Start preparing for the next JAMB exam with better strategies.

Common Mistakes Candidates Make

1. Waiting too long before uploading O’level results.

2. Ignoring the subject combination requirements.

3. Choosing highly competitive courses without high scores.

4. Not checking CAPS frequently.

5. Refusing to change course even when necessary.

6. Failing to contact the school for clarification.

Practical Examples of Admission Challenges

• A candidate with 180 applying for Medicine will likely see “Not Admitted.” The solution is to change to a less competitive course.

• A student who scored 250 but did not upload WAEC results will not be admitted until the results are uploaded.

• A candidate who was offered admission but did not click “Accept” within the deadline lost the chance.

Summary Table: Causes and Solutions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why is my JAMB admission status showing “Not Admitted”?

It could be due to low scores, wrong subject combinations, incomplete O’level results, or admission not yet released.

2. Does “Not Admitted” mean I have lost admission completely?

Not always. Sometimes it means your admission is still being processed.

3. How long does it take before admission reflects on CAPS?

Admission is released in batches. It may take weeks or months after UTME results.

4. Can I gain admission with low JAMB score?

Yes, if you change to a less competitive course or institution.

5. How do I know if my O’level is uploaded on CAPS?

Log in to your JAMB profile or confirm at a CBT center.

6. What should I do if my admission is in progress but later shows “Not Admitted”?

It may be withdrawn due to non-acceptance or errors. Contact your school for clarification.

7. Is supplementary admission worth applying for?

Yes. It gives you another chance at securing admission.

8. Can I still get admission after seeing “Not Admitted”?

Yes, if more batches are released or you make necessary changes.

9. Does JAMB give admission directly?

No. Institutions recommend candidates, and JAMB validates them on CAPS.

10. What alternatives exist if I don’t get admission through JAMB?

Consider JUPEB, IJMB, NOUN, Diploma, part-time, or private universities.

Conclusion

Seeing “JAMB Admission Status: Not Admitted” can be discouraging, but it is not always the end of the road. In most cases, it simply means the admission process is still ongoing, or you need to take corrective steps such as uploading your O’level, changing course, or applying for supplementary admission.

In 2025, candidates must remain proactive, patient, and flexible. Admission is highly competitive, but with the right approach, you can still secure a place in a higher institution.

If JAMB does not work out this year, do not give up — explore alternative admission routes and prepare better for the next opportunity.