Introduction
Getting admitted through JAMB’s Central Admission Processing System (CAPS) is the goal of every UTME and Direct Entry candidate. But many applicants make avoidable mistakes that cause them to lose offers—even when they meet requirements. In this post, we’ll show the top 5 mistakes to avoid, so you can stay ahead and secure your admission.
1. Not Checking CAPS Regularly
Following the process from registration to admission requires consistent checking of your CAPS dashboard. If you don’t check, you might miss:
- A change in status from “Admission in Progress” to “Admitted”.
- A requirement to Accept an offer within the allotted time.
By being inactive, you lose the chance when other candidates are ready and accept early.
2. Failing to Accept the Offer on CAPS
Once you receive the “Congratulations” message, you must go into CAPS and click “Accept Admission Offer”—otherwise your admission can be withdrawn or canceled.
Some schools also treat non-acceptance as automatic rejection, so acting promptly is key.
3. Choosing an Incorrect Institution or Course
Using the wrong institution or course during registration complicates admission. If your chosen course is closed or oversubscribed, you may be pulled out during screening.
Ensure you:
- Pick a valid course for your programme (UTME or DE).
- Verify the institution’s cut-off mark meets your score.
- Change course/institution before the admission portal closes if needed.
4. Ignoring Payment and Screening Requirements
Even after CAPS approval, schools may require you to:
- Pay your acceptance/matriculation fee.
- Upload screening documents (O’Level results, birth certificate, etc).
If you don’t comply in time, the admission could be revoked and given to someone else.
5. Not Updating Your Personal Details or Portal Info
If your contact information, email, or phone number on CAPS is wrong, you may miss crucial notifications. Also, some candidates fail to log out of the portal or keep using public computers—this can lead to session errors or unauthorized changes.
➡ Make sure your details are correct, use a personal device or safe login, and change your password if needed.
FAQs
Q1: What does “Admission in Progress” mean on my CAPS dashboard?
👉 It means your institution has forwarded your name to JAMB, but the final approval is still pending. Keep checking.
Q2: How long do I have to accept the admission offer?
👉 There’s no fixed time across all schools—it depends on your institution and programme. Act as soon as you see the offer.
Q3: Can I change my institution or course after admission?
👉 You can apply for change of course/institution before the final admission list is released. After admission, changes are more difficult and may lead to loss of offer.
Conclusion
Avoiding these five common mistakes significantly increases your chances of successful admission via JAMB CAPS. Keep checking your dashboard, accept offers timely, verify your choices, comply with school requirements, and ensure your details are correct. Admission is a process—not just a result.
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