NewStats: 3,264,963 , 8,185,225 topics. Date: Thursday, 12 June 2025 at 11:58 PM 34596t

Yabani1122:

This is good, but then am trying to figure out why O'level grade is times 3.75 that of first degree grade. Some one here mentioned that he has the original scoring sheet use for this year Interview and that the score for first degree is 8 points. I don't seem to make any sense out of this

O'Levels carrying this much weight is criminal given the level of exam malpractice in this country. Not to mention your first degree is more indicative of your level of understanding of your specific field and sets the foundation for further studies. I'm happy with my credentials overall but this really doesn't make any sense. It seems this criteria is correct given it corroborates most of the anecdotes we've heard on this thread about grading. I guess they know exactly what they're doing.

ExpertNLer:
Lets assume PTDF is taking 200 per state for interview - if someone with 1st class and 5As is 201st in their state, they won't be shortlisted. While someone with 2:1 and Cs is 3rd in their state, they will be shortlisted.

Noo, it's not based on FIFO oo neither LIFO.

Great point from Prof Libermmann . Methinks the reason might be due to the fact that the SOP, publications, certifications and actual interview itself is already built on top of your bachelor's and master's qualifications (i.e tertiary qualifications ) which is already about 70 marks in total. Hence, the likely reason why WAEC carries the remaining 30marks. Tertiary education determines your occupation and profession ( i.e 70% ) which is the main essense of the scholarship . But the game changer for some might be the WAEC result 30%. Let's hope in GOD Almighty for His grace to succeed in JESUS Name. Amen.

Liebermann:

O'Levels carrying this much weight is criminal given the level of exam malpractice in this country. Not to mention your first degree is more indicative of your level of understanding of your specific field and sets the foundation for further studies. I'm happy with my credentials overall but this really doesn't make any sense. It seems this criteria is correct given it corroborates most of the anecdotes we've heard on this thread about grading. I guess they know exactly what they're doing.

Engr2016:
Great point from Prof Libermmann . Methinks the reason might be due to the fact that the SOP, publications, certifications and actual interview itself is already built on top of your bachelor's and master's qualifications (i.e tertiary qualifications ) which is already about 70 marks in total. Hence, the likely reason why WAEC carries the remaining 30marks. Tertiary education determines your occupation and profession ( i.e 70% ) which is the main essense of the scholarship . But the game changer for some might be the WAEC result 30%. Let's hope in GOD Almighty for His grace to succeed in JESUS Name. Amen.

But the points from these "tertiary qualifications" heavily rely on the SOP which is a subjective criteria dependent on the you face. Still not a fan of O'Levels carrying the most objective points in a process like this.

If truly the list is ranked based on the highest scoring candidates in a state I'm pretty sure someone with 2.2 came 3rd in my state in 2021. I guess this confirms the importance of O Levels above every other objective criteria. Not against it in principle but I would like to hope that they have a rigorous criteria for judging SOPs and proposals that really sets apart deserving candidates and that someone doesn't just scale through primarily based on the advantage of the O'Levels which as we all know is heavily compromised.

Yabani1122:

This is good, but then am trying to figure out why O'level grade is times 3.75 that of first degree grade. Some one here mentioned that he has the original scoring sheet use for this year Interview and that the score for first degree is 8 points. I don't seem to make any sense out of this

I totally agreed with you. By my own personal analysis, I had a better first degree,and a Msc degree as well, but my O'level was a mixture of B3 and B2, despite that, she might scored more than me. She is good to go as long as her interview score is fine.

ExpertNLer:
Mentee that was told by PTDF interviewers that the profile is very strong

WAEC 7As total but B2 in English - 4A1 1B2
Bachelor's: first class
Master's: distinction
Professional hip: 5
Publications: 2

Keen on final list despite the competitiveness of the state

This is great !!!

Liebermann:


But the points from these "tertiary qualifications" heavily rely on the SOP which is a subjective criteria dependent on the you face. Still not a fan of O'Levels carrying the most objective points in a process like this.

If truly the list is ranked based on the highest scoring candidates in a state I'm pretty sure someone with 2.2 came 3rd in my state in 2021. I guess this confirms the importance of O Levels above every other objective criteria. Not against it in principle but I would like to hope that they have a rigorous criteria for judging SOPs and proposals that really sets apart deserving candidates and that someone doesn't just scale through primarily based on the advantage of the O'Levels which as we all know is heavily compromised.

I still want to say this, let's u have complete 9 A's , if your SOP/Proposal is not strong or obtain some level of set points for it no hope for you. While watching the interview news some years bak, PTDF official clearly stated it out that the most important thing they are checking is the SOP/Proposal. Most people with 2:2 or 3rd class have won a competitive international scholarship bcuz they have strong and well written SOP's so even PTDF knows this. And that's why they also invite 2:2 candidates with industry experience for interview. Looking at the 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 scoring sheet, no points were allocated to O'level despite last year the s asked for O'level results and subject grades entered into their system. O'level doesn't play a most significant role in determining successful awardees oo.....

Last last everything we've been saying is very speculative. No body knows for sure his stand, Its all dependent on competition from ur state.

Yabani1122:

I still want to say this, let's u have complete 9 A's , if your SOP/Proposal is not strong or obtain some level of set points for it no hope for you. While watching the interview news some years bak, PTDF official clearly stated it out that the most important thing they are checking is the SOP/Proposal. Most people with 2:2 or 3rd class have won a competitive international scholarship bcuz they have strong and well written SOP's so even PTDF knows this. And that's why they also invite 2:2 candidates with industry experience for interview.

You're missing out my point here. I don't inherently have a problem with people with 2.2 being invited or even winning this scholarship. My main issue is the unfair boost such an unreliable criteria like the O'Level gives. Let me try to put together an example.

Candidate A
Excellent O'Levels
2.2 Degree
Mediocre SOP

Candidate B
Mediocre O'Levels
1st Class Degree
Excellent SOP

Given the current marking scheme, candidate A will almost always beat candidate B and I don't see the rationality in this. And to say that O'Level grades still carry this much weight (30 marks) for PhD is just asinine. Its indefensible.

Liebermann:


You're missing out my point here. I don't inherently have a problem with people with 2.2 being invited or even winning this scholarship. My main issue is the unfair boost such an unreliable criteria like the O'Level gives. Let me try to put together an example.

Candidate A
Excellent O'Levels
2.2 Degree
Mediocre SOP

Candidate B
Mediocre O'Levels
1st Class Degree
Excellent SOP

Given the current marking scheme, candidate A will almost always beat candidate B and I don't see the rationality in this. And to say that O'Level grades still carry this much weight (30 marks) for PhD is just asinine. Its indefensible.

Yes that's exactly my points too.....

Yabani1122:

Yes that's exactly my points too.....

Whatch this: A ist being interviewed by PTDF on their Facebook page on assessment
https://fb.watch/dxJX0SYnG9/

Another ist being interviewed on how they select best candidates: https://fb.watch/dxJbZhsnOx/
He emphasizes on SOP/Research Proposal and Recommendations.

Dreldee:

Whatch this: A ist being interviewed by PTDF on their Facebook page on assessment
https://fb.watch/dxJX0SYnG9/

The crux of the matter here is the scoring criteria not the transparency of the process which is a completely different argument.

Dreldee:

Whatch this: A ist being interviewed by PTDF on their Facebook page on assessment
https://fb.watch/dxJX0SYnG9/

Listening to both Interviews, there speech emphasises on SOP/Research proposal and are directed to mek recommendations as well...looking at research that can address some of the country's problems. I have confidence that no way O'level will take upto 30 marks( that's 1/3.3 of the total score na) for O'level exam wey no dey pure for Nigeria.

Yabani1122:

Listening to both Interviews, there speech emphasises on SOP/Research proposal and are directed to mek recommendations as well...looking at research that can address some of the country's problems. I have confidence that no way O'level will take upto 30 marks( that's 1/3.3 of the total score na) for O'level exam wey no dey pure for Nigeria.

It's easy to infer you don't have a fantastic O'level result, else if you did have, you won't have issues with PTDF awarding 30 marks for WAEC


Everybody wants their selling points to have more marks

Back to my observation mode. The guys in my state were blasting first class and distinctions in MSc. I'm humbled

As @FatimaMK once stated: O level 15 marks, BSc 15, MSc 15, hip 15 and then Interview/SOP/Research Proposal/40 Marks.
I stick with this oo.

Dreldee:
As @FatimaMK once stated: O level 15 marks, BSc 15, MSc 15, hip 15 and then Interview/SOP/Research Proposal/40 Marks.
I stick with this oo.

This makes a lot more sense.

XtraSmooth404:


It's easy to infer you don't have a fantastic O'level result, else if you did have, you won't have issues with PTDF awarding 30 marks for WAEC


Everybody wants their selling points to have more marks

Like I said before, my profile is well rounded however they choose to grade candidates. Objectively, O Levels carrying this much weight is ludicrous.

XtraSmooth404:


It's easy to infer you don't have a fantastic O'level result, else if you did have, you won't have issues with PTDF awarding 30 marks for WAEC


Everybody wants their selling points to have more marks

Lol...at least my O'level no too bad lyk dat na .....just saying this from a neutral ground so that who so ever is preparing for PTDF will b very serious with his SOP and Interview in general and not b deceived by his O'level grades. Even our universities now it students base on JAMB and POST UTME score bcuz they no longer have faith in our WAEC/NECO results

LOOL what state?

XtraSmooth404:
Back to my observation mode. The guys in my state were blasting first class and distinctions in MSc. I'm humbled

Liebermann:


Like I said before, my profile is well rounded however they choose to grade candidates. Objectively, O Levels carrying this much weight is ludicrous.

I don't have issues with the WAEC scores either, it's clear PTDF needs all-round scholar who has been consistent, and that involves assessing from secondary school (WAEC) till after university, plus interview performances. Having straight A's doesn't guarantee a win, same as having a first class.

I guess this was for the PHD candidates . For the MSc candidates , will the total marks for BSc grade also be 15 ? Perhaps Fatima can clarify for us.

Liebermann:


This makes a lot more sense.

Yabani1122:

Lol...at least my O'level no too bad lyk dat na .....just saying this from a neutral ground so that who so ever is preparing for PTDF will b very serious with his SOP and Interview in general and not b deceived by his O'level grades. Even our universities now it students base on JAMB and POST UTME score bcuz they no longer have faith in our WAEC/NECO results

If you have straight A's, you won't complain. Forget that thing guy

I also concur because it's possible for some candidates to have excellent Olevels and BSc grades and still be unfit for the actual industry and research fields. Historically some renowned scientists in Europe and America didn't perform well in their high schools or universities but they remarkably excelled in the field of research and innovations afterwards.

XtraSmooth404:


I don't have issues with the WAEC scores either, it's clear PTDF needs all-round scholar who has been consistent, and that involves assessing from secondary school (WAEC) till after university, plus interview performances. Having straight A's doesn't guarantee a win, same as having a first class.

XtraSmooth404:


If you have straight A's, you won't complain. Forget that thing guy

Lol. If O level were to be irrelevant, there is no how 2.2 graduates consistently win PTDF.
Also, many 2.1 graduates were not even shortlisted for interviews.

Just keep on praying.

Your state is the main deciding factor and also if you chose FGM or UK.

Some candidates with very low score will still win this PTDF scholarship especially in FGM category because of low competition in their state
as observed in the interview lists.

So it is all God's grace.

Later guys.

babey543:

The list will be out next month.

Who are those people telling you lies? Get your ission letter and forget about deferment as it is too risky.

You can get ission in a UK school now if you apply. But July might be too late.

Tell them you will be on full scholarship by PTDF.

Greetings,

Please I have a few questions:

People like me who haven't got letters of ission especially, F/G/M and it is late to apply now to E'cole de IMT in ... What do you advise?

How much is the worth of the scholarship?

Lastly, Is it a one-off payment? OR monthly stipend?

Thank You

youngelder:


Greetings,

Please I have a few questions:

People like me who haven't got letters of ission especially, F/G/M and it is late to apply now to E'cole de IMT in ... What do you advise?

How much is the worth of the scholarship?

Lastly, Is it a one-off payment? OR monthly stipend?

Thank You

Try and apply to any school in FGM and get ission. You can switch within countries if you are a FGM scholar.
However, you cant switch to UK
You get paid ahead for 6 months. For example, in January, you will be paid January to July money

babey543:

Lol. If O level were to be irrelevant, there is no how 2.2 graduates consistently win PTDF.
Also, many 2.1 graduates were not even shortlisted for interviews.

Just keep on praying.

Your state is the main deciding factor and also if you chose FGM or UK.

Some candidates with very low score will still win this PTDF scholarship especially in FGM category because of low competition in their state
as observed in the interview lists.

So it is all God's grace.

Later guys.

You're right. There has to be a slight balance for UK and FGM. I saw a state with over 150 for MSc for UK alone

XtraSmooth404:


I don't have issues with the WAEC scores either, it's clear PTDF needs all-round scholar who has been consistent, and that involves assessing from secondary school (WAEC) till after university, plus interview performances. Having straight A's doesn't guarantee a win, same as having a first class.

No it doesn't but having straight As carries more weight than your first degree and offers a better advantage than whatever margin you may gain with your SOP. Yes there are individuals whose class of degree don't correspond with their level of knowledge or expertise but in general O'Level grades are the most compromised. I know illiterates with distinctions in their O'Level. Not stupid, not ignorant, not dyslexic, literal illiterates who can't read or write. Then you have a criteria like that carrying such weight in your selection process? No way.

I also agree too. But the UK seems to have more awards compared to FGM . This is perhaps to give room for the larger number of candidates that normally choose there.

babey543:

Lol. If O level were to be irrelevant, there is no how 2.2 graduates consistently win PTDF.
Also, many 2.1 graduates were not even shortlisted for interviews.

Just keep on praying.

Your state is the main deciding factor and also if you chose FGM or UK.

Some candidates with very low score will still win this PTDF scholarship especially in FGM category because of low competition in their state
as observed in the interview lists.

So it is all God's grace.

Later guys.