The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has provided clarification on the different admission messages candidates may encounter while checking their status on the Central Admissions Processing System.
The examination body explained what the “Not Admitted,” “Admission in Progress” and “Admitted” notifications mean, advising applicants not to misinterpret any of the messages displayed on their JAMB CAPS profiles.
The clarification was contained in an explanatory video released by the Board on Thursday. JAMB encouraged candidates awaiting admission to monitor their CAPS regularly because their status may change as institutions continue processing admission offers.
Meaning of “Not Admitted” on JAMB CAPS
According to JAMB, the appearance of “Not Admitted” on a candidate’s CAPS profile means that the individual has not received an admission offer at that particular time.
However, the notification should not be taken as confirmation that the candidate has been completely denied admission for the academic session.
An applicant whose profile still displays “Not Admitted” may receive an offer later, especially while the chosen institution is still processing its admission list.
Candidates in this category have therefore been advised to remain patient and continue checking CAPS for new developments instead of concluding that they have lost their chances of securing admission.
What “Admission in Progress” Means
JAMB also explained that an “Admission in Progress” notification means a candidate is currently being considered for admission, although all the required stages have not yet been completed.
The status may appear when an institution’s admission officer has proposed a candidate for admission and is waiting for the head of the institution to endorse the recommendation.
It may also be displayed after the head of the institution has recommended the candidate but the offer is still awaiting JAMB’s final review and approval.
The Board warned candidates that “Admission in Progress” should not be regarded as a confirmed admission offer.
Although the message generally shows that the applicant is being considered, the recommendation can still be rejected if the candidate does not satisfy the necessary admission requirements.
Such requirements may include the conditions established by JAMB and the admitting institution for the relevant course or programme.
Candidates whose profiles display this message should continue monitoring their admission status until a final decision is communicated through CAPS.
When a Candidate Is Officially Admitted
A candidate is considered officially admitted only when JAMB has reviewed and approved the institution’s recommendation.
Once approval is granted, the candidate’s status will change to “Admitted,” accompanied by a congratulatory notification confirming that an admission offer has been received.
At this stage, CAPS will provide the candidate with the option to either accept or reject the admission.
Applicants are expected to carefully confirm important details—including the institution and course offered—before responding to the offer.
Candidates who accept their admission can subsequently proceed with other required steps, including printing their official JAMB admission letter when it becomes available.
CAPS Status Can Change During the Admission Process
JAMB emphasised that the status displayed on CAPS is not necessarily permanent while admission processing remains underway.
For example, a candidate’s profile may initially display “Not Admitted” before changing to “Admission in Progress.” It could eventually change to “Admitted” once the institution’s recommendation has passed through all the required approval stages.
Candidates should therefore continue checking their profiles until the admission process reaches its final stage.
The Board also advised applicants to rely on JAMB’s official communication platforms for authentic information and avoid unverified messages circulating on social media.
Candidates should be cautious of individuals who claim they can influence CAPS or guarantee admission in exchange for payment.
In summary, “Not Admitted” means that no offer has been made yet, while “Admission in Progress” indicates that the candidate is still being considered and awaiting further approval. An “Admitted” notification confirms that JAMB has officially approved the institution’s admission recommendation.
Regularly checking CAPS will help candidates stay informed about changes to their admission status and take the necessary action when an offer is eventually approved.
