Evaluation of Preparation and Outcome of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board Examinations Among First Year Medical Students in Rivers State

Background: In most countries of the world, entrance into tertiary institution is regulated by statutory examining councils / bodies, after passing recommended examinations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the determinants of success at the Nigerian University Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) among first year undergraduate medical students in Rivers State in the year 2022. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional analytical study was carried out among first year undergraduate medical students in four universities. Data was collated and analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. Results: There were 219 (45.1%) males and 267 (54.9%) females, and their mean age was 19.45±2.80 years. Majority (n=372, 76.6%) of students prepared daily for at least 3-4 hours over at least 3 to 4 months (n=179, 36.8%) before passing their examinations. There were computer-related (134, 27.6%) and other issues. Only 257 (52.9%) students passed their UTME at first attempt. The number of UTME attempts reduces as average daily preparation hours increases; the higher the average daily examination preparation hours, the higher the chances of scoring above 200 in first attempt; the higher the number of months of active preparation, the lower the number of attempts at UTME; and these relationships were statistically significant (being p=0.000, p=0.009, and p=0.036 respectively). Conclusion: The determinants of success at the UTME of the JAMB among others are associated with students’ quality of input in preparing for the examinations. There are roles to be played at multiple levels to achieve needed improvement.&nbsp