UNICAL Cancels 2025/2026 Post-UTME Aptitude Test, Adopts O’Level Point Tally System for Screening
By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News

The University of Calabar (UNICAL), Calabar, has announced a major adjustment to its admission screening process for the 2025/2026 academic session, scrapping the Post-UTME Aptitude Test and replacing it with an O’Level-based Point Tally System.

In a statement issued by the Office of the Registrar, Dr. (Mrs.) Chukwuka I. Icha, the university confirmed that the Post-UTME registration portal has officially closed, signalling the end of preparations for the traditional screening test. The decision to cancel the Aptitude Test, according to management, was made in consideration of the potential challenges prospective candidates might face when travelling to Calabar for the exercise.

Why UNICAL Took the Decision
The Registrar explained that the move was aimed at reducing the stress, financial strain, and logistical difficulties students and their families may encounter. Many candidates often travel from distant parts of Nigeria to participate in the screening test, incurring significant expenses on transportation, accommodation, and feeding. By eliminating the in-person Aptitude Test, the university aims to make the process more inclusive, accessible, and less burdensome.

The statement reads in part:

“To this end, and in consideration of the challenges candidates might go through in the course of travelling to the University for the Screening Test, Management has directed that the Post-UTME Aptitude Test be cancelled.”

New Screening Method – The O’Level Point Tally System
Under the revised screening procedure, candidates will be evaluated based solely on their O’Level results. This method, referred to as the “Point Tally System,” assigns scores to grades obtained in relevant subjects, which are then aggregated to determine each candidate’s screening score.

This shift is expected to streamline the admission process and speed up the release of screening outcomes, as it eliminates the need for large-scale test administration and reduces the risk of delays caused by examination logistics or technical glitches.

Implications for Candidates
For the thousands of applicants who had been preparing intensively for the Post-UTME Aptitude Test, the change represents a significant adjustment. While some candidates may feel relieved at avoiding the stress of an additional test, others who had hoped to use the Aptitude Test to compensate for weaker O’Level results may see this as a disadvantage.

Education analysts have noted that the Point Tally System is not new in Nigerian universities. Institutions such as the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and University of Ibadan (UI) have, in certain admission cycles, implemented similar grading systems to complement or replace aptitude tests. The method is generally regarded as transparent and merit-based, provided that candidates have credible and verifiable O’Level results.

Advice from UNICAL to Applicants
The University of Calabar has advised all prospective students to ensure that their O’Level results, whether WAEC, NECO, or approved equivalents, are correctly uploaded to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) portal. Any discrepancies or failure to upload accurate results could result in disqualification from the screening process.

Management also reiterated its commitment to fairness and transparency in admissions, assuring that the new method will not compromise academic standards.

Broader Context in Nigeria’s University Admissions
The decision by UNICAL comes at a time when several Nigerian universities are rethinking their approach to post-JAMB screening. Rising transportation costs, safety concerns, and the need to make admissions more accessible to rural and economically disadvantaged students have been key drivers for change.

As more institutions adopt online or result-based screening systems, the traditional Post-UTME test format may continue to decline in popularity, especially in an era where digital verification of credentials is becoming more robust.

The University of Calabar’s adoption of the O’Level Point Tally System marks a significant shift in its admissions process, reflecting a student-centred approach aimed at easing the burden of university entry. For candidates, the message is clear: strong O’Level performance will now carry even greater weight in determining admission prospects.

Akahi News will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as the 2025/2026 admission process unfolds.

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