UNICAL Cancels Post UTME Screening Test for 2025/26 Academic Session

The University of Calabar (UNICAL) has officially announced the cancellation of its Post Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (Post UTME) screening test for the 2025/26 academic session. This development marks a major change in the institution’s admission process and has been received with mixed reactions from prospective students and stakeholders in the education sector.

Why UNICAL Took This Decision

According to the university management, the cancellation is aimed at easing the financial and psychological burden on applicants. For several years, candidates seeking admission into UNICAL had to sit for a computer-based Post UTME test in addition to their Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) results. By removing this test, UNICAL intends to streamline the admission process while maintaining fairness and transparency.

University authorities noted that the decision aligns with JAMB’s renewed directive encouraging institutions to adopt screening-based admission processes rather than conducting additional aptitude tests. This approach, they believe, will reduce stress and promote inclusivity for all qualified applicants across the country.

What This Means for Applicants

With the cancellation of the Post UTME test, admission into UNICAL for the 2025/26 academic year will now be based strictly on:

1. UTME scores obtained from JAMB.

2. O’level results (WAEC, NECO, or equivalent) with the required credits.

3. Other departmental or faculty requirements as stipulated by each programme.

Applicants are advised to ensure that their O’level results meet the minimum departmental standards. For example, competitive programmes such as Medicine, Law, Nursing, and Engineering will still require very high UTME scores, alongside strong O’level grades.

The New Screening Process

Instead of sitting for a physical or computer-based exam, candidates will undergo an online screening exercise. This will involve uploading their academic credentials—including O’level results, UTME scores, birth certificate, and local government identification—on the university’s admission portal within the specified timeframe.

The admissions committee will then verify the documents, cross-check with JAMB records, and shortlist qualified candidates based on merit, catchment areas, and other federal guidelines.

Implications for Parents and Students

For many parents, this decision comes as a relief, as it removes the extra cost of traveling to Calabar for the test, alongside accommodation and related expenses. Students who previously worried about sitting for another round of examinations can now focus on ensuring their documentation is accurate and well-presented.

However, some critics argue that the Post UTME test served as a filtering mechanism to identify serious candidates beyond JAMB results. They fear that its cancellation could increase the chances of candidates with high JAMB scores but weak academic performance gaining admission.

UNICAL’s Assurance on Merit-Based Admission

The Vice-Chancellor, in addressing concerns, assured the public that the university will uphold merit, transparency, and equity throughout the admission process. She emphasized that the online screening method will be robust enough to detect inconsistencies in candidates’ records, thereby preventing malpractice.

She also highlighted that technology will play a key role in ensuring fairness, as the portal will be integrated with JAMB’s Central Admission Processing System (CAPS) to authenticate results before final selections are made.

Closing Date for Application

UNICAL has further disclosed that the Post UTME/Screening form will remain on sale until a date to be announced in due course, urging applicants to regularly check the official website for updates. Candidates are reminded that failure to upload their results within the given window will automatically disqualify them from the admission exercise.

The cancellation of the Post UTME test by the University of Calabar is a bold step that reflects the broader shift in Nigeria’s tertiary education admission system. While opinions remain divided, one fact is clear—prospective students must now pay closer attention to their JAMB scores and O’level performance since these will play the most decisive role in securing admission.

For applicants targeting the 2025/26 session, success lies not in sitting for another exam but in ensuring their academic records are accurate, complete, and competitive enough to meet the cut-off for their chosen courses.