BenjamintechYour post UTME date is only two weeks away and you have barely started. Don’t panic. Two weeks is not much time, but it is enough to improve your score noticeably if you study in a focused way. This guide gives you a realistic 14-day plan, built around finding out what your school tests, practising under timed conditions and fixing your weak areas.
Be realistic: Two weeks will not fix years of weak foundations, and no plan can promise a particular score. But a smart plan can help you avoid silly mistakes and make the most of the time you have.
Step 1: Find Out Exactly What Your School Tests
Post UTME formats vary a lot from school to school. Some schools run a computer-based test, while others use online screening, written exams or document verification. The subjects, number of questions and time allowed depend on the institution and often on your course.
Common patterns include:
- English Language and Mathematics for many schools
- Current affairs or general paper in some
- Subjects related to your course, such as Physics, Chemistry and Biology for science candidates, or Economics, Government and Literature for others
Some schools do not publish their past questions at all. Read your school’s screening notice and your screening pass to confirm the subjects, the format and the time before you plan.
Step 2: Gather Your Materials
- Your school’s past questions, if available, or past questions for similar schools
- The JAMB syllabus for each subject, since post UTME questions are generally drawn from secondary school topics related to it
- One good textbook or set of notes per subject
- A CBT practice app or website, since many schools use computer-based tests
- A notebook for mistakes and formulas
Step 3: Use This 14-Day Plan
Days 1 to 2: Diagnose
- Take one timed practice test in every subject you will be tested on.
- Note your score and the topics where you lose the most marks.
- Make a list of your five weakest topics per subject.
Days 3 to 8: Fix the weak areas
- Spend the first part of each day on your weakest subject, then move to the next.
- Study a topic for a short time, then answer questions on it straight away.
- Write down every mistake and the correct method in your notebook.
- For English, practise grammar, vocabulary, comprehension and lexis. For Mathematics, focus on common topics and calculation practice.
- If current affairs or a general paper is tested, spend 20 to 30 minutes daily on recent Nigerian and world events, government, economy and education.
Days 9 to 11: Practise under exam conditions
- Take full timed practice sets that copy your school’s format and time limit.
- Practise on a computer or phone if your exam is CBT.
- Review each mistake and revise the topic again.
Days 12 to 13: Revise and consolidate
- Go through your mistake notebook and formula list.
- Redo questions you got wrong earlier.
- Do a short mixed practice set each day, not a marathon.
Day 14: Light review and logistics
- Do only a light review. Do not try to learn new topics.
- Print your screening pass and pack your documents. See our guide on what to bring to post UTME screening.
- Check the route to your venue, sleep early and eat well.
A Sample Daily Schedule
- Morning (2 to 3 hours): your hardest subject, with practice questions
- Afternoon (1 to 2 hours): your second subject
- Evening (1 to 2 hours): timed practice and mistake review
- Short breaks between blocks, and enough sleep
Adjust this to your own energy and schedule. A smaller amount done well beats long hours with no focus.
Tips for Scoring Higher
- Learn your school’s pattern. Look for repeated topics and the style of questions.
- Practise time management. Set a target time per question, and skip and return to hard ones.
- Answer every question. Unless your school says there is negative marking, do not leave blanks.
- Read questions carefully, especially in Mathematics and English.
- Do not rely on leaked questions. They are a scam and can get you disqualified.
- Keep a formula sheet for quick revision.
- Stay calm. Nerves cost marks. Do a short practice login the day before if your school offers one.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Trying to read every textbook from cover to cover
- Studying only your favourite subject
- Ignoring timed practice
- Staying up all night before the exam
- Forgetting documents, or not printing your screening pass early
- Believing “expo” or group chats that claim to have the questions
Beware of Scams
Every screening season, some people sell “guaranteed questions” or promise to “push” your score. This is fraud, and it can cost you your admission. Prepare honestly with past questions and practice tests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is two weeks enough to prepare for post UTME?
It is not much, but with a focused plan it can improve your performance. Concentrate on what your school tests and your weakest areas.
How many hours should I study per day?
Aim for consistent, focused study of a few hours a day, with breaks. Quality matters more than long hours.
Do I need past questions?
They help a lot, because they show the pattern, but some schools do not publish theirs. Use the syllabus and similar questions where you cannot find them.
What should I study first?
Begin with subjects that carry the most questions or marks in your school’s format, then your weakest areas.
What if my school has no exam and screens only documents?
Then your focus should be on your JAMB score, O’level upload and document preparation. See our guides on O’level upload and post UTME requirements.
Final Thoughts
You cannot do everything in two weeks, but you can do the right things: find out your school’s format, diagnose your weak spots, practise under time pressure, revise your mistakes and arrive prepared. For more Post UTME guides and updates, keep visiting this blog.
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