How to Score High in Post-UTME

Firstly, what is post-UTME? Post-UTME stands for Post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination. It is a test or a form of screening activity done by higher institutions of learning in Nigeria. They carry out this screening on students who apply to study one programme or another in these schools before admitting or dropping any one of them as the case may be depending on the individual's performance in/during the screening test. 

Why post-UTME? Some have queried the rationale behind the conduct of post-UTME in various institutions of learning. The answers to this question are simple and cogent. The federal government of Nigeria introduced this examination as a measure to counter the underhand tactics inherent or usually seen in the conduct of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). It is one thing to sit for the JAMB examination; it is a different kettle of fish to go through post-UTME. One may pass JAMB but may not do so post-UTME. The latter makes it possible to have qualified students to get admitted into tertiary institutions on their own merits having performed brilliantly in both examinations.

Another reason for the post-UTME is the peculiarity of higher institutions. To study in one particular university, polytechnic or college of education, you have to know what difference it has compared to others, and you have to accept to live up to the tenets and regulations guiding the said institution. It is through this screening exercise that an applicant or prospective student can know and accept or decline to pursue his or her educational pursuit in any of these schools. The two reasons are why tertiary institutions in Nigeria carry out screening exercises on students.

Moving on, how can an applicant excel in post-UTME?

There are several factors that can make or mar a student in post-UTME: psychological, physiological and environmental factors. It depends on how you choose to go about these factors and how much information is at your disposal.

I would like to start this segment by reiterating what has come to be an everyday phrase in our daily lives, "one can't give what he or she doesn't have". To pass any examination, you have to be knowledgeable, especially in the field of study you've chosen. This is rudimentary. You build something on something; you don't build something on nothing.

In addition, a student wishing to score high in post-UTME has to prepare for the examination very well. You have to study smartly. By studying smartly, you should not crowd yourself with a lot of materials as too much volume of reading materials may either distract you or take up all your time with little or nothing gained. Be specific during your preparation and go straight to the questions that are likely to come out. You can identify likely questions by being up to date with the current curriculum, current societal trends in technology, health, economy, politics etc. It is also not out of place to consult past questions and practice them depending on your area of study or discipline. Preparedness is a veritable key or tool to employ in scoring high in post-UTME. The better prepared you are, the better your chances of excelling. It is life's general rule, essentially.

Building self-confidence is another way to score high in post-UTME. As a student, you must try as much as possible to strike a balance between lack of confidence and overconfidence. Either of the two is no good. Therefore, make serious and intentional efforts to bridge the gap between lack of self-belief and overconfidence. The result would ultimately bring you self-confidence which is another important piece in going into examination such as the post-UTME. I must add, however, that as a student, your zeal and willingness to read and prepare for examinations can help greatly in not only building your confidence but in sustaining the same as well.

Furthermore, leverage your JAMB score while going for this screening test. How do you do that? It is a common practice for post-UTME to come after the release of JAMB scores. Whatever your JAMB score may be, either low or high, leverage it. Let your score serve as a motivation for you to get into a tertiary institution. If your score is high, you have an opportunity to maintain it and prove to everyone, especially the higher institution you are going to sit for post-UTME that your JAMB score isn't a fluke. You can only do so by maintaining your performance in the screening test. In the event your JAMB score is not that encouraging, you can as well turn it into a motivational tool by putting in extra shifts in your preparedness and doing better in the post-UTME score. Whatever the case may be, do not fail to see your JAMB score as a stepping tool, wing it in any direction that will fetch you admission into any school/discipline of your choice.

As a student going for post-UTME, you have to know the format the school of your choice do adopt in their post-UTME. As I mentioned earlier, there are peculiarities in these higher institutions. There are those who make their post-UTME a 100-question exam to be answered in an hour or an hour and a half. Some adopt a 30-question to be answered in 25 minutes. We also have schools with 50 questions meant to be answered in an hour or 45 minutes, etc. So, it is instructive to know the format beforehand to be able to prepare well so as to score high in post-UTME.

Watch what you eat a day or two prior to your exam day. You have to know your body system well and take the things that won't upset your stomach just before or during your exam. You have to be healthy and in top body shape to be able to write your exam and to write very well. An upset in the stomach or any part of your body before stepping into the exam venue or during the screening proper has the possibility of taking you off balance and causing you to perform poorly or miss the exam outrightly. 

Moving on, a candidate of any post-UTME should know the date of his or her exam, know the venue, and be on the ground a day or two before the exam to familiarize and acclimatize with the new environment. It is important to have a good feel of the environment you are to sit for such an exam before the commencement of the exercise. Doing so would in one way or the other prove to be helpful in guiding you as you write your exam by boosting your morale and confidence. When confidence is boosted in this manner, the chances are that you'd score high in post-UTME with all things being equal. 

In the final analysis as a way of summary, scoring high in post-UTME can be a tea party affair should you know what you are doing and put in the effort towards actualizing your goal. One must try to avoid any situation capable of inducing anxiety and tension prior to the exercise. That's why familiarizing and acclimatizing with the environment should be factored in greatly, not forgetting being at the venue ahead of the scheduled time on the exam day.

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Agency Banking: How To Be a DotPay Agent

What is DotPay  

DotPay, which seems to have gotten its name from the recent Dot Nation trend, is an agency banking and mobile money service owned by Changan RTS Microfinance Bank Limited. DotPay is a secured Point Of Sales(POS) agency banking service device that allows individuals to carry out cash withdrawals, deposits, bill payments, and interbank transfers within their locality without visiting any bank. 

Who is Behind DotPay? 

Dotpay is owned by Changan RTS Microfinance Bank Limited with its operational name as Dot Microfinance bank limited with registration number RC 232534. Its office is located at No. 366 Murtala Mohammed Way, Yaba Lagos State, Nigeria.  

Features of DotPay POS 

The DotPay POS is an Android-based POS device that has the ability to carry out card withdrawals, print receipts, pay bills, and do transfers. The company also promised to add balance checking and other features in the near future.  

How Much Is DotPay POS? 

The DotPay POS is not for sale; however, agents are to pay a caution fee to get the POS from an aggregator or ambassador. You are to get an N10,000 refund if you stop using and return the device within six months from the date you got the device. If the return or retrieval is done after six months, you are entitled to nothing.

This money can be paid before or during delivery depending on your negotiations with the aggregator or ambassador. Beware of scammers; only pay if you trust the aggregator or ambassador.

The DotPay Android Terminal

DotPay Agent Target 

Unlike other companies which require a certain amount daily as a target for its agents, DotPay has no fixed amount as a target; rather all agents are expected to perform a minimum of 20 transactions daily irrespective of the amount. If an agent fails to meet this target consistently, his or her POS will be retrieved by the aggregator who issued the device or any other aggregator assigned by the company.  

DotPay Charges  

Below is the breakdown of transaction charges on DotPay.
Cash Withdrawal Charges:

1k = 5 naira 
2k = 10 naira 
3k = 15 naira 
4k = 20 naira 
5k = 25 naira 
6k = 30 naira 
7k = 35 naira 
8k = 40 naira 
9k = 45 naira 
10k = 50 naira 
11k = 55 naira 
12k = 60 naira 
13k = 65 naira 
14k = 70 naira 
15k = 75 naira 
16k = 80 naira 
17k = 85 naira 
18k = 90 naira 
19k = 95 naira 
20k = 100 naira 
20k to infinity = 100 naira. 
Deposit is  N25 flat rate.  

How To Start A POS Business In Nigeria

How To Become A DotPay Agent  

To become a DotPay POS agent, you need to complete the agent registration form and provide a valid means of identification (National Identity card, NIN slip, international passport, driver’s license, etc.), a recent utility bill, and a passport photograph. The agent registration can be done by visiting the company’s office above or by contacting any of the company’s aggregators. Contact/WhatsApp me on 08035232107 if you are within Rivers state, Owerri, Bayelsa, and Aba.

Final Words

This company is still very new with lots of potential to compete with others in the market and, at the moment, the device is easy to access. I can’t say what will happen in a few months. The charges are also okay, and since it is completely new, the network speed will be very okay. As such, I encourage you to key into it now and start making daily instantly-dropping commissions.  

5 Simple Ways To Detect Counterfeit Naira Notes

Fraudsters have recently begun to create and use fake currencies to make deposits and payments. This new trend of using counterfeit Naira notes has resulted in significant losses for some POS business owners. 

Naira Notes

The production of counterfeit notes by fraudsters is a serious issue; thus it is advisable POS business owners or banking agents be on the lookout for this new illegal behaviour. Fake notes can be printed in smaller denominations, such as N50, N100, and N200, as well as big denominations such as N500, N1000. Despite the fact that this illegal skill appears to be improving with each passing day, there is no need to be worried as these notes can still be detected with ease. 

Here's a quick reference guide to identifying genuine Nigerian naira notes:

1. Check the Quality and Texture 

Genuine naira notes are created from a particular sort of paper whilst fake naira notes are usually created from ordinary paper. Before accepting Naira notes as payment for a service, it is critical to inspect their quality and texture.

2. Soak in Water and Other Liquid 

If you have any doubts about a note you've received, soak it in water or fuel and gently brush it with your thumb. If the money is counterfeit, the colour will fade quickly. The colour of a genuine Naira note will not wash off because the note is water-resistant.

READ: Agency Banking: How To Start a POS Business

3. Check the Ribbon or Silver Thread 

A silver ribbon runs from the top to the bottom of every genuine naira note. The silver thread may be felt on actual notes, and it can even be seen on old naira notes. In fake notes, however, something that appears to be a thread is actually only paint. Scratching that ribbon will easily remove it.

4. Check the Gold Foil 

On the right side of the N1000 note, just beside the CBN governor's signature, there is a gold foil. The gold foil on a fake note peels off when scratched whereas the gold foil on a genuine note does not peel.

5. Use Mercury Bulbs

Other aspects of the Naira note are not visible with the naked eye. These features can only be seen on real naira notes and with certain pieces of equipment. You can tell the difference between fake and authentic notes by using mercury lights.

If a genuine N1000 note is exposed to the rays of a mercury bulb, it will glow with a glowing 1000 (in numerals) printed across it. Smaller denominations are treated the same way.

It's also worth noting that the use of counterfeit notes is illegal in Nigeria, according to the country's constitution. It makes no difference whether you are aware or not because ignorance is not an excuse.

Be vigilant; don't be a prey in the hands of these hungry fraudsters!

How To Write Formal /Official /Business Letters

Formal letters are also known as business or official letters. They are usually written to public organizations, government offices, the press, business firms and letters of application for employment.

The language and tone of formal letters are supposed to be formal as well as impersonal or non -personal. This is because the letter is being sent to an official position.

PARTS OF FORMAL/ OFFICIAL/ BUSINESS LETTERS

✅ ADDRESS OF THE WRITER AND DATE.

✅ ADDRESS OF THE RECIPIENT

✅A FORMAL SALUTATION

✅ TITLE/HEADING

✅INTRODUCTION

✅BODY/ MAIN BODY

✅ CONCLUSION

✅ A FORMAL SUBSCRIPTION

✅ SIGNATURE AND FULL NAME WRITTEN UNDER IT

✔️ ADDRESS AND DATE

Two addresses are required in formal letters. The writer's address and the recipient's address. The writer's address should be at the top right hand corner.

The styles of address are:

i. block/straight

ii. slanted/indented

The punctuation styles:

i. punctuated

ii. unpunctuated

Examples of the writer's address

BLOCK/STRAIGHT(PUNCTUATED)

Asanteman Senior High School,

Post Office Box 3776,

Suame, Kumasi.

9th March 2021.

SLANTED/INDENTED (UNPUNCTUATED)

Wesley Girls Senior High School

      Post Office Box 82

          Cape-Coast, Ghana.

9th March 2021.

NB: The date is not a part of the address; hence it should be punctuated.

✔️ RECIPIENT'S ADDRESS

This address is often written at the top left side . It always shows designation of the office.

Examples

✅The Headmaster,

✅The District Chief Executive,

✅The Director,

✅The Minister,

✅The Chairman, 

The Headmaster,

Asanteman Senior High,

Post Office Box 3776,

Suame, Kumasi.

NB: DON'T ADD A DATE TO THE RECIPIENT'S ADDRESS.

The Minister,

Ministry of Finance,

Post Office Box 33,

Accra, Ghana.

✔️ SALUTATION

Use the following greetings for formal letters: Dear Sir, or Dear Madam, ( You use Sir for editors of newspapers too).

✔️THE HEADING/TITLE

Any official letter must have a heading or title. The heading is supposed to be a summary of the subject matter or theme of the letter. The title always comes below the salutation.

NB: It should be written in block capitals. I will be posting one question which happens to be last year's WASSCE question. It's going to serve as a summary of what we have learnt here before we move on.

Question: As the senior prefect of your school, write a letter to your principal, explaining to him the reasons why your school should take part in sporting activities. (WASSCE 2020)

NOW LET'S EXAMINE THE QUESTION ABOVE

WRITER'S ADDRESS

Asanteman Senior High School,

Post Office Box 3776,

Suame, Kumasi.

9th March 2021.

RECIPIENT'S ADDRESS

The Principal,

Asanteman Senior High,

Post Office Box 3776,

Suame, Kumasi.

Dear Sir,✅

         Dear Sir, ❌

HEADING

It should start from where the comma ends in the salutation.

REASONS WHY MY SCHOOL SHOULD TAKE PART IN SPORTING ACTIVITIES

NB: Kindly desist from ending the heading with a  FULLSTOP.

✔️ LET'S CONTINUE WITH THE BODY OF A FORMAL/ OFFICIAL/ BUSINESS LETTER.

✅ The body of a formal letter, like any other letter, should be arranged logically in paragraphs.

✅ Each paragraph must contain a single idea well explained.

✅ The use of acceptable connectives should be used; e.g., Firstly, Secondly, Moreover, Furthermore, In addition to, Finally etc.)

❌Avoid these (To start the ball rolling, To begin with, In a nutshell)

✅ After  the connective, every word that follows should begin with a small letter.

Example:  Firstly, drug✅Drug❌ abuse is one of the causes of teenage pregnancy.

✅ The use of a topic sentence must be encouraged. A  topic sentence is a  sentence that expresses the main idea of the paragraph in which it occurs.

Let's look at this example.

If the question was on the causes of teenage pregnancy, it's going to be like this.

Firstly, drug abuse is one of the causes of teenage pregnancy.✅

Firstly, drug abuse.❌

That's the difference✅

Therefore, Our connective is the Firstly, our point is the drug abuse, and our topic sentence is one of the causes of teenage pregnancy.

✅ Some contracted forms of words (aren't, won't, couldn't, haven't etc.) and colloquialisms must all be avoided in formal letters.

The tone or the language should be formal as well as impersonal (non-personal).

✅ The use of polite words must be encouraged.

For Example:

Can❌ Could✅

Shall❌ Should✅

Will ❌ Would✅

THAT'S ALL FOR THE BODY OF A FORMAL/OFFICIAL/ BUSINESS LETTER.

✔️ CONCLUSION OF A FORMAL/OFFICIAL/ BUSINESS LETTER

✅It is imperative to conclude your letter or essay always. A good conclusion will make the recipient feel like wishing to read more from you.

✅ Your conclusion should be in just one paragraph, and it should be a summary of what the body entails or talks about.

✅ If the question demands a solution to a certain problem, you can add it up.

Now let's look at this.👇

✅Introduction (1 paragraph)

✅Body(3 paragraphs or more, not less)

✅Conclusion (1 paragraph)

✔️FORMAL SUBSCRIPTION, SIGNATURE AND FULL NAME WRITTEN UNDER IT

✅ The subscription comes just after the last word of  the letter. For formal letters, it should be Yours faithfully.

Yours faithfully,✅

Your's faithfully,❌

Yours' faithfully,❌

Yours faithfuly,❌

Yours faithful,❌

✅ You are reminded that only the first word in a subscription is capitalized.

✔️ SIGNATURE AND FULL NAME

✅ The writer's signature follows the subscription. Then comes the writer's full name.

Yours faithfully,

..............

Jeffery Boahen.

Yours faithfully,

 ...............

David Amewornu.

Yours faithfully,

...............

Stallone Clarks.

Yours faithfully,

.............

Mary Boateng.

Yours faithfully,

..............

Agnes Yeboah.

Yours faithfully,

.................

Misty Joe.

© Jeffery Boahen.

(Tutor, Asanteman Senior High)

Five Ways to Turn Your Stammering into Your Biggest Strength

One of the reasons most people shy away from public speaking is the fear of stammering or stuttering. A person who stammers or stutters has difficulties in speaking. There is often the repetition of a particular sound involuntarily during speech. This leads to delayed speech, or inability to flow or pronounce certain words. Because people naturally expect spoken language to flow easily, they see stammering as a speech defect, and are usually tempted to mock or get irritated by people who stammer. This act of embarrassment and non-acceptance kills the confidence of stammerers. But there is some good news if you have this challenge. It is a savable situation! There are sterling speakers who are chronic stammerers yet they are doing so well. Do you know that the best interpreter I have come across is a stammerer? Are you asking how? Stammering is not a defect; it is a blessing in disguise; you can have control over it. It can be managed! 

In this article, we shall look at five ways to turn your stammering into your biggest strength. We shall also look at ways you can support people who stammer. 

1. Self-acceptance: No matter what your abilities or inabilities are, you need to accept who you are and work towards becoming the better version of yourself. Self condemnation leads to inferiority complex. Inferiority complex is a twin of low self-esteem and this is one of the negative triggers of stammering. Self acceptance gives you confidence, and confidence is a resistant to people's mockery, bullying, and non-acceptance. When you look down on yourself wherever you find yourself, you are easily intimidated and more likely to stammer when you are required to speak. However, if you see value in yourself, you are able to take control of how you speak. It doesn't mean you won't stammer when you speak, but it means you will be unashamed even when you stammer. When you have this positive outlook of yourself, stammering would never be a barrier to your quest to speak in public.

2. Breath control: The cause of stammering is unconscious; you don't do it on purpose. It may not be entirely curable, but it can be manageable. One of the surest ways of managing stammering is learning to take time to breath in and out in the course of speaking. "Taking smaller breaths with your diaphragm can help you relax and may help you speak more fluently." Stress, anger, and fatigue are triggers of stammering. Whenever you find yourself in any of these situations as a stammerer, you need to slow down when talking. Speaking at a fast rate will only worsen the case. Learn to time yourself. Speak at regulated intervals. You can choose to pause (take some breath) after every three words you mention. It works well as you practice. 

3. Avoid Triggers: The anticipation to stammer is most likely to make you stammer. You must therefore psyche your mind that you are in control. Avoid triggers (activities that are likely to make you stammer). For example, unnecessary arguments, loquaciousness (talking too much), anger, over excitement, self condemnation, verbosity, show offs, stress and fatigue, unpreparedness to speak, etc. If you are able to avoid these triggers, you would definitely reduce the chances of you stammering in public. 

4. Accept the opportunities to speak in public: There is the tendency to use stammering as a reason to shy away from speaking in public. Whereas it is quite understandable, it is not an excuse enough to miss out on the immense benefits of being able to speak in public. Ask yourself, how long am I going to run away from public speaking? I dare you to challenge yourself today. Motivate yourself, psyche your mind, work on your breath control and timing, avoid triggers, prepare for whatever you are expected to speak on, and mount that stage with confidence. Once you break that ice, I tell you, there is no stopping you! You may experience embarrassing moments from the beginning, but you will get better; I promise you. Practice makes perfect.

5. Be kind on yourself: It is natural to get upset and devastated if one public speaking experience (especially the first) goes terribly bad for you. That in spite of your preparation and application of all the tips given here you stammer as never before -- Be kind on yourself! One bad day does not define you or your capabilities; it only shows that you are trying. The embarrassment you feel today is not pretty or fun; but it is not enough reason to quit public speaking for the rest of your life. If you know your aspirations in life, you wouldn't allow temporary shame to stop you from achieving them. 

© Eric Nuamah Korankye (Hamlet) (Writer/Editor)