Understanding the Admission Process: JAMB’s Role Explained

Learn how the JAMB admission process works, from schools offering admission to JAMB approval on CAPS. Understand why your status may show “Not Admitted.”

Many candidates often ask, “When will JAMB give me admission?” or “Why isn’t my admission showing on JAMB CAPS?” The truth is, JAMB does not directly give admission—instead, it validates and approves the admission offered by schools. Let’s break down how the process works and why you may still be seeing “Not Admitted” on your JAMB CAPS.

The Truth About JAMB’s Role

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is not the body that decides who gets admitted. Rather, universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education are responsible for offering admission to qualified candidates. JAMB’s responsibility is to ensure that the process follows established guidelines and to approve those offers through the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS).

Step-by-Step Admission Process

1. Institutions Offer Admission

Each institution—university, polytechnic, or college—decides who to admit based on:

Departmental cut-off marks
Post-UTME or screening performance
Other requirements specific to the institution

For example, a university may prioritize candidates who meet its merit list before moving to supplementary lists.

2. JAMB Confirms and Approves

After schools compile their admission lists, they forward them to JAMB through CAPS. JAMB then cross-checks the list to ensure that:

Admission follows the official cut-off marks
No rules are violated in the selection process

Once verified, JAMB approves the admission.

3. Admission Reflects on Portals

When JAMB approves, the admission status becomes visible on both:

The school’s admission portal
The JAMB CAPS portal

If your status is still showing “Not Admitted,” it could mean your school has not yet forwarded your name or JAMB is still processing approvals.

4. Candidates Accept or Reject on CAPS

Candidates must log into JAMB CAPS and choose to ACCEPT or REJECT their admission offer. This can be done:

Online via the CAPS portal
Through SMS confirmation
At any accredited JAMB CBT center

5. JAMB Issues Admission Letter

Once you accept the offer, you can proceed to print your official JAMB admission letter directly from the portal. This letter serves as proof of your admission and is usually required during school registration.

The Admission Timeline

It’s important to understand that admission is released in batches. Some schools have already started uploading their lists, while others will release theirs after post-UTME, screening, or registration processes are completed.

If your CAPS status still reads “Not Admitted”, don’t panic. It simply means your admission process is still ongoing. Keep checking regularly, as updates are made daily.

Key Points to Remember

JAMB doesn’t give admission—it approves admission offered by schools.
Your admission must appear on both your school’s portal and JAMB CAPS.
Admission comes in batches, so patience is key.
Always accept your admission on CAPS to make it valid.

Quick Outline

Schools offer admission
JAMB validates and approves through CAPS
Admission reflects on both portals
Candidates accept or reject
JAMB issues admission letter

Understanding JAMB’s role helps you avoid unnecessary panic during the admission process. If your status still shows “Not Admitted,” stay calm and keep checking. Remember, it is your school that offers admission, and JAMB only approves it.

Have more questions about JAMB CAPS or your admission process? Drop them in the comments below or visit the official JAMB portal for updates.