Choosing the Right Subject Combination

Choosing the right subject combination for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) is one of the most crucial decisions you’ll make as a candidate preparing for university, polytechnic, or college of education admission. Your subject combination not only determines your eligibility for the course you want to study but can also impact your chances of admission if chosen incorrectly. In this lesson, we will guide you through the process of selecting the right subjects for your UTME, based on your intended course and institution.

1. Why the Right Subject Combination Matters

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) requires candidates to select four subjects for the UTME: English Language (compulsory for all candidates) and three other subjects related to the course they wish to study. The right subject combination is critical because:

• Admission Eligibility: Each course has specific subject requirements. Failing to meet these requirements can disqualify you from being considered for admission.
• Institution Requirements: Some institutions may have unique subject requirements for certain courses, beyond the general JAMB guidelines.
• Avoiding Disqualification: Choosing the wrong subjects could make you ineligible for your desired course, even if you score high marks in the UTME.

2. How to Choose the Right Subject Combination

To select the correct subjects for your UTME, you need to consider three factors:

• Your Desired Course
• Your O’Level Results
• The JAMB Brochure

a. Identify Your Desired Course

The first step is to know the specific course you want to study. Each course in Nigerian tertiary institutions has specific subject combinations that candidates must take in the UTME. For example:

• Medicine and Surgery requires subjects like English, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
• Law requires English, Literature in English, Government or History, and one other social science or arts subject.
• Engineering typically requires English, Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry.

b. Check Your O’Level Subjects

Your O’Level results (WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB) play a crucial role in determining your subject combination. Before selecting your UTME subjects, ensure that:

• You have the required credits in relevant subjects at the O’Level.
• The subjects you want to write in the UTME align with the ones you passed at the O’Level.

For instance, to study Medicine, you must have at least five credits, including English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology at the O’Level. Your UTME subject combination should match these areas.

c. Use the JAMB Brochure

The JAMB Brochure is a detailed guide that provides the correct subject combinations for all courses in Nigerian institutions. Accessing the brochure is vital because it contains the official guidelines on the subjects you need for your chosen course.

Steps to Use the JAMB Brochure:

• See Previous lesson

By consulting the brochure, you avoid common mistakes like selecting subjects that do not meet the requirements for your course.

3. Common Subject Combinations for Popular Courses

Here are examples of subject combinations for some of the most popular courses in Nigerian tertiary institutions:

• Medicine and Surgery:
  • Compulsory UTME subjects: English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics
  • O’Level requirements: Credits in English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology
• Law:
  • Compulsory UTME subjects: English, Literature in English, Government or History, one other arts or social science subject
  • O’Level requirements: Credits in English, Literature in English, Government or History, and two other subjects
• Engineering (e.g., Civil, Electrical, Mechanical):
  • Compulsory UTME subjects: English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry
  • O’Level requirements: Credits in English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and a relevant science subject
• Business Administration:
  • Compulsory UTME subjects: English, Mathematics, Economics, and any other social science subject
  • O’Level requirements: Credits in English, Mathematics, Economics, and two other social science or commercial subjects
• Computer Science:
  • Compulsory UTME subjects: English, Mathematics, Physics, and one other science subject (often Chemistry or Biology)
  • O’Level requirements: Credits in English, Mathematics, Physics, and two other science subjects
• Mass Communication:
  • Compulsory UTME subjects: English, Literature in English, Government or Economics, and one other arts or social science subject
  • O’Level requirements: Credits in English, Literature in English, and three other subjects

4. Key Considerations When Choosing Your Subjects

When selecting your UTME subjects, keep the following in mind:

a. Align with Your Career Goals

Choose a course and subjects that align with your long-term career goals. Avoid picking a subject combination solely based on what seems easy or based on peer pressure. Consider your interests and strengths in particular subjects.

b. Check Institution-Specific Requirements

Some universities or polytechnics have additional requirements for certain courses. While the JAMB Brochure provides general guidelines, it’s always a good idea to check the specific admission requirements of your preferred institution. Some schools may require extra subjects or higher grades in key subjects.

c. Consider Alternative Courses

In case you do not meet the cutoff mark for your first-choice course, you should be aware of alternative courses that accept your chosen subject combination. For example, if you choose Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry for Engineering, you could also be eligible for other science-related courses like Physics, Mathematics, or Geophysics.

5. Mistakes to Avoid in Choosing Subject Combinations

a. Wrong Subject Combination

Choosing a subject combination that doesn’t match your desired course can lead to disqualification, even if you score high marks in the UTME. Always verify the correct combination using the JAMB Brochure.

b. Ignoring O’Level Requirements

Don’t ignore your O’Level results when selecting UTME subjects. You must have the required O’Level credits to match the subjects you will write in the UTME.

c. Overlooking School-Specific Guidelines

Some institutions have unique subject or grade requirements. Be sure to research the institutions you are applying to, and make sure your chosen combination meets their criteria.

Conclusion

Choosing the right subject combination for your UTME is a key step in securing admission to your desired course and institution. By carefully considering your career goals, O’Level results, and the guidelines provided in the JAMB Brochure, you can make informed decisions that will increase your chances of success. Always double-check your subject combination to ensure it meets the requirements of both JAMB and the institution of your choice.