Yomi BlackChoosing between examinations is usually done on a belief about difficulty, which no institution acts on and no examining body concedes. The three things that should decide it are recognition, timing and total cost.
- This examination
- IJMB
- Compared with
- JUPEB
- Decide on
- Recognition, timing and total cost
- Do not decide on
- Which one people say is easier
- Best move if affordable
- Sit two in the same year as insurance against one bad diet
- Combining results
- Most Nigerian institutions accept a combination. Competitive courses may not.
Side by side
| Examination | How often | Accepted by |
|---|---|---|
| IJMB | One academic session | A wide range of Nigerian universities, with the strongest recognition in the north |
| JUPEB | One academic session, so the commitment is a year | The participating universities for Direct Entry at 200 level, and by others that recognise the award |
The format difference that matters most
This one is written examinations per subject, with practicals where relevant, at the end of the programme, marked for points, aggregated across three subjects, examined at advanced level depth, a taught year beyond the school certificate.
Compare that against the alternative you are considering before comparing prices. Three subjects only, so each carries a third of your aggregate and there is nowhere to hide a weak one.
What this one does that the others do not
IJMB is the older of the two A-level routes and is run out of Ahmadu Bello University. Its recognition map differs from JUPEB’s, which is the only question that should decide between them.
And what it does worse
Recognition is uneven by institution. The right way to choose between IJMB and JUPEB is to check which one your target university names, not which one is cheaper.
The honest way to choose
Not on difficulty, which is folklore no institution acts on. Choose on three things: whether your destination names it, when it runs relative to your admission cycle, and what it costs you in total rather than in entry fee. Then, if you can afford it, sit a second one as insurance.
The questions that come up every diet
Can I combine results from two bodies?
Most Nigerian institutions accept a combination. Some competitive courses do not. Confirm with the institution.
Which is cheaper?
Fees differ each cycle. The larger cost difference is usually in materials and travel, not in the entry fee.
Which travels better abroad?
The more widely recognised the awarding body, the less explaining an admissions officer abroad has to do. That is worth real money if you intend to study outside Nigeria.
What does this one do best?
IJMB is the older of the two A-level routes and is run out of Ahmadu Bello University. Its recognition map differs from JUPEB’s, which is the only question that should decide between them.
Which one should I sit?
Sit the one your intended institution names, and if you can afford it, sit more than one. Candidates who sit two bodies in the same year are buying insurance against a single bad diet.
Where IJMB is strongest
IJMB is the older of the two A-level routes and is run out of Ahmadu Bello University. Its recognition map differs from JUPEB’s, which is the only question that should decide between them.
Where it is weakest
Recognition is uneven by institution. The right way to choose between IJMB and JUPEB is to check which one your target university names, not which one is cheaper.
How to decide, honestly
- Recognition first. Does your intended institution name it? That single question settles most cases.
- Timing second. One academic session If that does not fit your admission cycle, the recognition question is academic.
- Total cost third. Entry fee, materials, travel across the full examination period and result access, not the headline fee alone.
- Difficulty never. It is the most discussed factor and the only one with no evidence behind it.
Institutions publish requirements in credits and subjects, not in preferences between awarding bodies. A candidate who meets the requirement with one body’s certificate meets it.
Next in this guide
Everything on IJMB in one place:
Start at the IJMB hub for the full map.
Sources
- Interim Joint Matriculation Board, Ahmadu Bello University. www.abu.edu.ng