Let’s talk about JAMB upgrade, what it is? How fraudsters use it to scam candidates off their money, and what to do if you have a low score.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is an important part of the Nigerian education system.JAMB is in charge of organising the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), which helps students get into universities, polytechnics, and colleges.
Having a good score in this exam is a big deal because it determines whether you’ll get admitted to your school of choice.
Due to the need to get a high score, some people become victims of the scam called JAMB upgrade. Scammers promise to increase students JAMB scores if they pay certain amount of money, but it’s all lie, once you pay any money for the upgrade. you’ll lose the money and no upgrade will be made to your score. In this article, I’ll explain what the JAMB upgrade scam is, how it works, and why students should stay away from it.
What Is JAMB Upgrade?
The JAMB upgrade is a fraudulent activity, run by scammers who promise to increase your JAMB score after the results are being released. These people claim they have special access to JAMB database or portal and can change your score for a fee.
Some may even show fake results or success stories to trick students into believing the lie. Most of the results they show you are photoshopped to trick innocent students into believing their lies.
Why JAMB Upgrade is a Scam
Let me be be honest with you, once JAMB releases your result, Nobody will be able to change the result.
The JAMB system is well protected to prevent anyone from accessing it and making any kind of modification that is not from JAMB it self.
How JAMB Upgrade Scammers Operate
JAMB upgrade scammers use several tricks and methods to deceive students into believing that they can increase their JAMB scores. Below are some of the various ways they operate.
1. Targeting Desperate Students
Scammers usually prey on students who are disappointed with their JAMB results and are eager to boost their scores to meet their university or course cut off mark. Students with low score sometimes try to explore other options in other to meet the admission requirements their by falling victims of this scammers.
2. Using Social Media and Websites
Many scammers usually advertise their JAMB upgrade services on platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and even on personal blogs or websites sometimes they create their own group.
These JAMB upgrade scammers usually share fake testimonies, screenshots of some fake upgraded results, and sometimes even claim to have inside connections at JAMB. By showing these fake successes, they try to make their scam look real.
3. They Create Sense Of Urgency
For them to make students take quick decisions and make payment for their service, scammers often create a sense of urgency. They normally say things like this:
“Hurry! This offer ends soon!”
“We can only upgrade a few results.”
“JAMB is closing access to their database soon!”
None of these things they say are true. They are just saying it to make candidates feel sense of urgency their by making them make payment without having enough time to ask questions about their scams.
4. Requesting Half Payment
If a student contacts the scammer, they usually ask the students to make part payments before they start working on the upgrade, they’ll tell the candidates they’ll ask for the complete payment once they are done.
Once you make any payments the scammers either blocks you immediately or shows you a fake screenshot claiming to have finish the work. And ask you to make complete payment.
They might ask for different amounts, depending on how many points the student wants to add to their JAMB score.
5.Displayimg unreal evidence
For them to gain trust some send fake proof, e. g fake edited or screenshots of JAMB results and in some case they even go as far as sending an email from JAMB which is very obvious that its not authentic. All are fake to convince the student that the process is real and working, in reality it is just a rewritten work of no effect to JAMB system or database.
6. Demanding More Money
Once the scammers realized the students are that desperate, The scammers rarely stop there even if they got paid They could make more excuses like:
“We need an more money for the upgrade process.”
“JAMB is asking for a service charge to finalize the upgrade.”
Since the students are now desperate, they often keeps sending money, hoping that the scammer will eventually deliver on their promise. Of course, no score change or upgrade ever happens.
7. Blocking the victim after Receiving Money
This is the point where most of the victims of the scam get to realise that they’ve been scam. Once the scammers feel they’ve gotten enough money, they stop any form of communication with the victim.
They stop replying to messages, delete their social media profiles, or block the student from reaching them. In the end, the student is left with nothing, no upgraded score and no refund.
8. Using Fake Testimonies
To make their scams look real, scammers often use fake testimonials or reviews from supposed students who have benefited from their service, it’s all fake they are the once behind some of those reviews.
They may even create fake social media profiles or websites filled with positive comments and success stories. These are all lies, designed to mislead others into thinking the scam is legitimate.
The Danger of falling For JAMB UPGRADE SCAM
Whether you are the victim or the scammer, JAMB can take a legal action against anybody who is involved or caught in JAMB upgrade scam. Remember the case of a candidate who fake her JAMB result in 2023?
JAMB accused her of manipulating her Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) test scores, and she was barred from taking its exam for the next three years.
This is as the examination body has also withdrawn the 249 score, which it claimed is the real score obtained by the candidate in the examination.
You risk loosing your money and still getting penalise if involved in any sort of JAMB upgrade.
What to Do if you didn’t do well in JAMB
Do not be discourage if you did not score up to what you desired in JAMB UTME. A lot of us have been in this predicament before, and there are plenty avenues to proceed. Here are some few steps you can take:
1.Consider Taking JAMB Again
If you think you can do better, you can always prepare and write JAMB again in the next session. You can also use the extra time to focus on challenging subjects and study better for them. Here are a few tips:
- Pinpoint Weak Areas: Dust off your old exam and work out what tripped you up the most. This will enable you to focus on those subjects and further better in them.
- Join Study Groups or Get a Tutor: Sometimes studying alone can be little difficult. you could study in a group, or hire a tutor if there are specific areas that can’t seem to penetrate certain concepts.
2. Enroll in Schools with Lesser JAMB Cut-Off Marks
There are universities, polytechnics or colleges that will not ask you to get something so high in JAMB before you can gain admission into the institution. With this score, you might still have a chance to get into some schools or less competitive programs Some options include:
- State Universities: some state universities have slightly lower JAMB cut-off marks than those of the federal universities hence you may consider making research on such state universities with low cut off.
- Private Universities: Some policies may allow private colleges to even admit students with lower JAMB scores and offer pathways into the institution.
- Polytechnics and Colleges of Education: These institutions often have lower JAMB cut-off marks and provide great opportunities for students who may not want to retake JAMB.
3. Consider Changing Your Course of Study
If your score doesn’t meet the cut-off mark for your desired course, consider switching to a less competitive course. Many universities allow students to change courses later if they perform well in their first year, so this could still lead you to your desired path.
4. Learn More Admission Options
Aside the JAMB, there are other ways to secure admission into tertiary institutions. Some of these choices are:
- Pre-degree or Foundation Programs: Several universities offer applicants to practice for twelve months before transferring into full-time degree programs. Most of these programs do not ask for high jamb scores
- Diploma Programs: Some schools offer diploma programs that can be later upgraded to full-fledged degree programs after completion of a certain chunk of coursework.
- Direct Entry: If you have an OND (Ordinary National Diploma) or NCE (National Certificate in Education), you can seek Direct Entry admission into the second year of university.
5. Improve Your Study Habits
While preparing to retake JAMB it is highly necessary for you to sharpen up on your studying style. Consider the following:
- Study Schedule — Make a study timetable which allocates certain hours in a day for studies. Stick to it consistently.
- Time Management: Study the pattern of Question paper and start solving it; in advance so that you can, finish Before the time ends…!
- Mock Tests: There is a need to practice JAMB mock exams so as to build your confidence and show you the areas you need to improve on with respect to time.
Conclusion
Having a low score on JAMB doesn’t mean your dreams of higher education are over. Whether you choose to retake the exam, explore less competitive courses, or look for alternative admission options, there are many pathways to success. Keep pushing forward, stay dedicated, and make sure you avoid falling for scams like the JAMB upgrade. With hard work and the right strategy, you can still achieve your goals!
If you have any questions or insights feel free to drop them in the comments section below