Almost every successful Post-UTME candidate uses past questions. But simply reading through answers is one of the least effective ways to study. Used properly, past questions show you the topics your university repeats, the question style and the speed you need.
Step 1: Get the right past questions
- Use past questions for your university, ideally the last three to five years.
- Check that the format matches the current test (CBT or paper, number of questions, subjects).
- Be careful with “expo” or “this year’s questions” offers. These are scams.
Step 2: Take a timed test first
Before studying, answer one full past paper under exam conditions. Time yourself and don’t check answers until you finish. This shows your starting score and your weak subjects.
Step 3: Build a topic list
Go through three or more years of questions and note the topic of each one. You’ll quickly see which topics come up again and again. Make these your study priority.
| Subject | Topics that often repeat |
|---|---|
| English | Comprehension, lexis and structure, synonyms and antonyms, oral English |
| Mathematics | Indices and logarithms, quadratic equations, statistics, mensuration, probability |
| Physics | Motion, electricity, waves, heat |
| Chemistry | Mole concept, periodic table, organic chemistry, electrolysis |
| Biology | Cell biology, genetics, ecology, human systems |
The exact topics vary by university, so your own list from your school’s past questions is what counts.
Step 4: Study the topic, not just the answer
For every question you got wrong, go back to your textbook and study the whole topic. Universities rarely repeat the exact question, but they repeat the idea behind it.
Step 5: Repeat with timed tests
Take a new timed past paper every week. Track your score. Aim to finish with time to spare.
Step 6: Practise on a computer
If your university uses CBT, practise on a computer or phone app that mimics CBT, so the format doesn’t slow you down.
How much is Post-UTME worth?
In many universities the Post-UTME carries about half of your aggregate. See how aggregate scores are calculated and try our aggregate calculator.
