When you’re writing JAMB CBT 2025, there’s a high chance you’ll see one or two questions that leave you confused. Maybe you’ve never seen that topic before, or maybe your mind just goes blank for a second. At that moment, many candidates ask themselves: Should I guess the answer or skip the question?
It’s a very common situation, and knowing the smart way to handle it can help you avoid mistakes, manage your time better, and possibly score higher.
Let’s break it down in a simple way.
First, Does JAMB Subtract Marks for Wrong Answers?
No, JAMB does not use negative marking. This means that if you guess and get the answer wrong, you won’t lose marks. You just won’t get a point for that question. But if you guess and get it right, you’ll gain a mark—just like you would for any other correct answer.
So, since there’s no punishment for guessing, it’s better to guess than to leave a question blank.
When to Skip and Come Back Later
Even though guessing can help, it’s not always the first step. If a question looks too long, too confusing, or you simply need time to think, it’s okay to skip it for now. There’s a button in the JAMB CBT system that allows you to move to the next question without answering.
This is useful for saving time. You don’t want to spend five minutes on one question while the rest of the easier ones are waiting. So the smart move is to skip it, finish the rest, and then come back later if you still have time.
This way, you don’t waste precious minutes that could be used to score more points.
When to Guess Smartly
If you come back to the question and you’re still unsure, then it’s better to make a smart guess than to leave it empty. Since JAMB uses multiple-choice questions, you already have four options (A, B, C, or D)—so your chance of guessing right is 1 out of 4.
Sometimes, even without knowing the full answer, you can remove the options that are clearly wrong. That increases your chance of choosing the right one from what’s left. For example, if you cancel out two options, you now have a 50/50 chance. That’s much better than leaving it blank.
So yes, if time is almost up and you’re still unsure, guess wisely. It might just give you an extra mark.
Avoid Random Clicking
While guessing is better than leaving blank answers, don’t guess carelessly. Some students click random answers just to finish quickly. That’s risky. You want to at least read the question and think for a few seconds before picking. Even if you don’t know the answer completely, try to apply common sense or recall something you may have read before.
A calm, focused guess is better than a wild guess.
Use the Review Button to Help You
The JAMB CBT system comes with a “Review” button that shows you all the questions you’ve answered, skipped, or are unsure about. Use this button before submitting your exam.
Look at the ones you skipped. Take a moment to go back and give your best guess. You never know—one lucky answer could push your score over the cut-off mark. That’s why smart guessing matters.
Final Words
In JAMB CBT 2025, it’s always better to guess smartly than to leave questions blank. JAMB doesn’t subtract marks for wrong answers, so there’s no reason not to try. But don’t guess blindly. Skip questions that take too much time, come back to them later, and then make your best decision before submitting.
Time management, focus, and strategy all work together in JAMB. Practice this skill while using CBT platforms like jamb2025.com, so it becomes natural by the time you enter the real exam hall.
Remember, sometimes a guess can be the point that makes all the difference.