The University of Benin (UNIBEN) Post-UTME screening exam is a major hurdle for candidates hoping to secure admission, and Mathematics is one of the core subjects tested across Engineering, Physical Sciences, Social Sciences, and Management Sciences programmes. This guide explains what to expect, the topics UNIBEN typically sets, where to find genuine past questions, and includes worked practice questions in the UNIBEN style to help you prepare.
About the UNIBEN Post-UTME Mathematics Exam
The UNIBEN Post-UTME is a Computer-Based Test (CBT). For most faculties, the exam is timed (commonly around 30 minutes) and combines Mathematics with English Language and a General Paper section, with a set number of objective (multiple-choice) questions. Exact question counts and duration can change from year to year, so always confirm the current format on UNIBEN's official admissions portal before your exam date.
Topics Commonly Tested
Based on the recurring pattern of UNIBEN Post-UTME Mathematics questions, candidates should be comfortable with:
- Number bases and simplification using BODMAS
- Percentages, ratios, and rates
- Simple and compound interest
- Sets and Venn diagrams
- Variation (direct, inverse, joint)
- Quadratic equations and simultaneous equations
- Polynomials and factorization
- Indices, logarithms, and surds
- Matrices and determinants
- Geometry (mensuration, circle theorems)
- Trigonometry
- Basic differentiation and integration
- Sequences and series (AP/GP)
- Statistics (mean, median, mode, standard deviation)
Important Note on Authentic Past Questions
Genuine, verified UNIBEN Post-UTME past question compilations (with real exam questions from previous years) are sold by resources such as Myschool.ng and similar exam-prep platforms, and some free samples circulate on educational blogs like FlashLearners. Be cautious with "free" PDFs from unverified sources — they're often outdated, inaccurate, or entirely unrelated to UNIBEN's actual paper. If you want to buy verified past questions, cross-check the source's reputation first.
For students who want a large, organized bank of 100 Level and 200 Level Mathematics past questions and answers (including UNIBEN), the LearnXtra Uniapp is a Nigerian study app that compiles past questions, lecture notes, and video tutorials across several universities, with answers included. As with any third-party study material, treat it as a supplement rather than your only source, and verify tricky answers against your own working or a lecturer/tutor.
Alternative Routes to Admission: IJMB and JUPEB
Not every candidate secures admission through JAMB (UTME) on their first attempt, and a low JAMB score or missed cut-off doesn't have to end the journey. Two established Direct Entry pathways let students bypass UTME and gain admission at an advantaged level (often straight into 200 Level):
- IJMB (Interim Joint Matriculation Board): A one-year, A-Level-style programme run in accredited centres. Candidates typically study three subjects related to their intended course and sit IJMB exams instead of JAMB. A good result qualifies you for Direct Entry admission into many Nigerian universities, including UNIBEN, usually into 200 Level.
- JUPEB (Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board): Similar in structure to IJMB — a one-year A-Level equivalent programme offered by accredited universities and colleges. JUPEB certificates are widely accepted for Direct Entry admission across Nigerian universities. Checkout our JUPEB and IJMB app
These routes are especially useful for candidates who did not meet their desired course's JAMB cut-off, want to switch courses or universities without rewriting UTME, or prefer a more focused pre-degree study format. If you go the IJMB or JUPEB route toward a Mathematics-dependent course at UNIBEN, the topics covered in this guide remain relevant, since Direct Entry screening and first-year coursework build on the same mathematical foundation as UTME candidates.
Below are original practice questions written in the same style and difficulty as typical UNIBEN Post-UTME Mathematics questions, with full worked solutions, so you can test yourself.
Practice Questions with Worked Solutions
1. Simplification (BODMAS)
Simplify: 3 + 2 × (5 − 3)² ÷ 4
Solution:
(5 − 3)² = 4
2 × 4 = 8
8 ÷ 4 = 2
3 + 2 = 5
2. Percentages
A trader bought a bag of rice for ₦42,000 and sold it for ₦48,300. Find the percentage profit.
Solution:
Profit = 48,300 − 42,000 = ₦6,300
% Profit = (6,300 ÷ 42,000) × 100 = 15%
3. Simple Interest
Find the simple interest on ₦50,000 for 3 years at 4% per annum.
Solution:
SI = (P × R × T) ÷ 100 = (50,000 × 4 × 3) ÷ 100 = ₦6,000
4. Quadratic Equation
Solve: x² − 5x + 6 = 0
Solution:
(x − 2)(x − 3) = 0
x = 2 or x = 3
5. Number Bases
Convert 101101₂ to base 10.
Solution:
1(2⁵) + 0(2⁴) + 1(2³) + 1(2²) + 0(2¹) + 1(2⁰)
= 32 + 0 + 8 + 4 + 0 + 1 = 45
6. Variation
y varies directly as x. If y = 20 when x = 4, find y when x = 9.
Solution:
y = kx → 20 = 4k → k = 5
y = 5 × 9 = 45
7. Trigonometry
A ladder 10 m long leans against a wall, making an angle of 60° with the ground. How high up the wall does the ladder reach? (Give answer to 1 d.p.)
Solution:
Height = 10 sin(60°) = 10 × 0.866 = 8.7 m
8. Sets
In a class of 50 students, 30 study Physics, 25 study Chemistry, and 10 study both. How many study neither?
Solution:
n(P ∪ C) = 30 + 25 − 10 = 45
Neither = 50 − 45 = 5
9. Differentiation
Find dy/dx if y = 3x³ − 4x² + 7
Solution:
dy/dx = 9x² − 8x
10. Sequences
Find the sum of the first 10 terms of the AP: 3, 7, 11, 15, ...
Solution:
a = 3, d = 4, n = 10
Sn = n/2 [2a + (n−1)d] = 5[6 + 36] = 5 × 42 = 210
Study Tips for the UNIBEN Post-UTME
- Time yourself. Since the CBT is fast-paced, practice solving each question in under a minute.
- Master mental shortcuts for percentages, fractions, and BODMAS — these appear frequently and are meant to be quick wins.
- Don't skip basics. UNIBEN tends to favor foundational SSCE-level topics over advanced calculus, so a strong grip on JAMB-level syllabus content goes a long way.
- Use JAMB past questions as a supplement if you exhaust UNIBEN-specific materials, since many Post-UTME setters draw from similar question banks.
- Get official past questions from UNIBEN's Directorate of Academic Planning or reputable platforms (e.g., Myschool.ng) rather than relying solely on unverified free copies.