Recently, post-UTME exams have become the mystery man – very unpredictable.
Schools keep using different formats, exam types, and systems every year.
Which from the outside, looks great, but the lack of consistency is troubling for students writing these exams.
I mean, it’s better to know whether to expect objective questions, theory questions or both before you go for the exam.
This way, you’ll know where to channel your attention when preparing.
Although, post-UTME differs between schools, they all share the same target.
Therefore, if you’re wondering wether your post-UTME will be Objective or theory, this is all you need to know.
Is post UTME exam objective or theory?
Post-UTME exams can be either objective, theory, or a mix of both, depending on the school conducting it.
However, most schools primarily use objective questions, they do this to test students on multiple-choice answers.
Some schools go for theory questions to check each student’s deeper understanding and writing expression.
From the statistics available to wiptalk.com, most schools prefer objective rather than theory-based, and there are reasons for this.
With objective post-UTMEs, you’ll have multiple-choice questions (MCQs) where you’re to select the correct answer from a list of options.
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Over 90% of schools in the country use this format commonly because it is easier to grade and allows schools to check many candidates quickly.
The remaining schools include theory questions in their post-UTME exams, especially for courses like Law, Medicine, or Education.
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With theory-based questions, you’ll write detailed answers which your school will use to judge your deeper understanding of the subject.
How do you know exactly which format your school will use?
This is quite simple to do.
To know the exact format your school will use for their post-UTME, check the school’s past post-UTME questions.
If yu can’t confirm from there, check the school website or admission portal, and you’ll find the format they use.
I must warn you; don’t make assumptions, check and confirm for yourself before you start preparing for the exam.
In summary, most Post-UTME exams are objective, but some schools do include theory questions depending on the course of study and their preferences.
Therefore, when you’re preparing for your post-UTME, you should expect formats like:
1. Objective (Multiple-Choice) format
As I already said most higher institutions in Nigeria use the objective format for their Post-UTME exams.
They do it because it’s easier and faster to mark and grade students.
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In the Objective format, you have multiple-choice questions (MCQs), and you’ll select the correct answer from the available options.
Advantages of the objective format:
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- Quick to answer and score.
- Reduces ambiguity in responses.
- Ideal for large-scale exams with many candidates.
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Examples of schools using the objective format:
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- Schools like the University of Lagos (UNILAG), University of Ibadan (UI), and Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) use objective questions format for their post-UTME.
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2. Theory-based format
Some schools use the theory questions format but they are few.
In this case, every student is expected to write detailed answers to their questions.
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With this format, the school will be able to check your critical thinking, creativity, and the ability to organize thoughts coherently.
Advantages of the theory-based format of post-UTME:
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- Allows students to showcase depth of knowledge.
- Suitable for courses that requires analytical skills (e.g., Law, Literature).
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Examples of schools using theory format:
Schools like the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and some polytechnics occasionally include theory-based questions in their post-UTME for specific courses.
3. Mixed format (Objective and Theory)
It’ll surprise you to know that some schools combine objective and theory questions in their post-UTME exams.
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They do this to get a comprehensive assessment of each student’s factual knowledge and analytical skills.
Advantages of mixed format:
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- It gives a balanced evaluation of candidates.
- It also reduces over-reliance on guesswork in objective questions.
Examples of schools using mixed format:
Schools like Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) and some specialized institutions use this format.
How to know your school’s post-UTME format
In case you’re still in the dilemma of which format your school will use.
You can:
1. Check your school’s admission guidelines
Most schools in Nigeria share information about their Post-UTME format in their admission brochures or portals.
If you want to check, visit your school’s official website to confirm the exam format.
2. Check past questions
Another way to know the format your school will use for their post-UTME is to check past post-UTME questions.
For example:
- If the past questions are entirely multiple-choice, it means the school uses the objective format.
- If there are essay-style questions, then get ready for a theory exam.
3. Talk to current student
Lastly, you can also talk to students who are currently enrolled in the school to know what format the school used during their time.
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The good thing is; that schools don’t just change their post-UTMe exam format without proper communication or creating awareness about the change.
Is post-UTME CBT or Paper-based format
Another very important concern about the post-UTME is whether it will be paper-based or CBT.
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- Most schools now conduct their Post UTME as a Computer-Based Test (CBT), which uses objective questions.
- Paper-based exams still exist but are rare. You’ll only find it in schools with limited access to CBT infrastructure.
How to prepare for post-UTME exams
Regardless of whether the post-UTME is objective or theory-based, you need to prepare very well.
Here are tips to help you:
1. Master your JAMB subjects
The subjects you’ll write during your post-UTME will be the same subjects you chose during JAMB registration.
If you want to perform well in your post-UTME, focus on mastering the subjects.
2. Practice time management
- If your school is using objective exams, then practice answering questions quickly and accurately.
- For theory exams, work on structuring your answers right and managing the time allocated for each essay question.
3. Use reliable study materials
Buy post-UTME past questions and textbooks.
Use online resources and also do a mock exam before the main exam.
4. Know the exam requirements
Before going for your post-UTME, make sure you know the exam venue, timing, and what to bring along, like:
- A valid Post-UTME registration slip.
- Writing materials (if required).
- A form of identification.
Is Post UTME Written With Computer?
Yes, it is written on computers. Most schools in Nigeria use Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for their post-UTME.
However, there are still schools that conduct it using pen and paper.
The mode of post-UTME exams depends on the university conducting it.
If your chosen school uses CBT, you’ll take the test on a computer, similar to JAMB UTME.
You don’t have to panic about whether your school is using computers or not for their post-UTME.
Before the exam, you’ll be notified by your school’s admission unit on whether it’ll be done with a computer or not.
Conclusion
Whether your post-UTME will be objective, theory, or a combination of both depends on your chosen school.
However, objective questions are more common among schools, especially with the adoption of CBT systems all over the country.
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If you’re preparing for your post-UTME, check your school’s admission guidelines or past questions to know what format to expect.