I remember sitting in my room after my second attempt at JAMB, staring at a score that wouldn’t get me into Medicine. That’s when my cousin mentioned IJMB. Haven’t heard of it? Don’t worry—most haven’t. The Interim Joint Matriculation Board program changed my educational trajectory, and it might change yours too.
IJMB: The Road Less Traveled
IJMB is essentially Nigeria’s version of A-Levels. It’s an advanced program that universities recognize as a direct entry qualification into 200-level. No more JAMB stress. No more waiting another full year to try again.
The program runs about 9-12 months. Intense? Absolutely. Worth it? For me, completely.
I chose IJMB because I needed something different. Maybe you’re in the same boat. Maybe you’ve tried JAMB and the numbers just didn’t align with your dreams. Or perhaps you’re looking to switch fields entirely. IJMB welcomes all of us educational nomads.
Who’s It Really For?
I’ve met all sorts in my IJMB classes. The brilliant girl who scored well in JAMB but not quite well enough for Medicine at UI. The guy who realized Engineering wasn’t his calling after all. The woman returning to education after five years working a job she didn’t love.
IJMB doesn’t discriminate. It just asks: are you willing to work hard for nine months?
If you’re nodding right now, keep reading.
Getting In: The When and How
Registration typically opens early in the year—January through March. I almost missed the window myself. Don’t make my mistake. Mark those dates.
You’ll need five O’Level credits. Yes, English and Mathematics must be among them. That’s non-negotiable.
The application itself? Straightforward. Form, fee, photos, documents. The usual suspects. But spaces fill quickly at the good centers. I applied to three centers just to be safe.
For the latest registration details, check the official IJMB portal. They’ve revamped the site since I registered—much better now.
The Examination: What You’re In For
Each subject has three papers. Three. Not one comprehensive exam, but three different approaches to testing your knowledge:
Paper 1 hits you with multiple choice questions. Deceptively difficult.
Paper 2 wants theory and explanation. Show your work. Show your thinking.
Paper 3 tests application. Can you actually use what you’ve learned?
I took Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry. The science route. Your combination will depend on your university goals.
Mathematics: My Personal Battle
Math was my nemesis and my salvation in IJMB. Paper 1 had me questioning my life choices. Algebra, coordinates, sequences. The basics, yet not basic at all.
I wish I’d had these Paper 1 sample questions sooner →
Paper 2 nearly broke me. Complex numbers. Matrices. The day before the exam, I was still struggling with differential equations. I passed through sheer stubbornness.
These Paper 2 solutions would have saved me tears →
Paper 3 was surprisingly okay. Something clicked with the applied problems. Maybe because they felt real. Mechanics made sense in a way abstract calculus didn’t.
See the Paper 3 questions I actually enjoyed →
Practice Saved Me
I failed my first three practice tests. Completely bombed them. But that’s what practice is for, isn’t it?
The past questions I eventually found became my bible. Not just for the answers, but for understanding the examiners’ mindset. What were they really asking? What did they value?
That’s what good practice material offers—not just solutions, but insight.
How I Prepared (And How You Should)
I started too late. Four months before the exam. Don’t do that. Six months minimum. Eight is better.
My schedule wasn’t fancy. Two hours per subject, six days a week. Sundays were for review and rest. Your brain needs breaks.
Find study partners. My group met Tuesdays and Saturdays. We explained concepts to each other. Teaching is the best way to learn—trust me on this.
And use past questions. From the beginning, not just the month before exams. They show you where you’re weak.
Beyond Math: The Full Picture
I focused on Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry. But IJMB offers much more. Biology for the medics. Economics and Government for the social scientists. Literature and History for the arts crowd.
Everyone suffers through the three-paper format. We’re all in this together.
See what other subjects entail →
After IJMB: Where Can You Go?
Almost anywhere, honestly. I got into ABU. My study partner went to UNILAG. Another friend chose OAU.
The certificate is widely recognized. Not universally—check your preferred university’s policies. But the major institutions accept IJMB for direct entry.
The latest university requirements are at IJMB University Admissions Guide. They update it yearly. Worth bookmarking.
Final Thoughts
IJMB isn’t the easy way. It’s the different way. The intense way. For me, it was the right way.
I’m in my third year of university now. Sometimes I still dream about those math problems. But I made it through. You can too.
The materials I’ve mentioned helped me immensely. The sample questions are just a taste of what you’ll need. The full collection covers years of past exams across all subjects. Worth every naira for serious candidates.
Check out the complete IJMB resources →
Still have questions? I remember how confused I was at first. Email the team at [email protected] or call 080-IJMB-HELP. They’re surprisingly helpful.
