The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced a revised arrival time for candidates participating in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), specifically for those in the first session. The board has also provided a comprehensive timetable for its Computer-Based Tests (CBT), detailing arrival and exam commencement times for candidates from Monday to Friday.
In a communication shared on its X platform on Monday, JAMB indicated that candidates scheduled for the initial session of the examination are now required to arrive at their designated centres by 7:00 a.m., a shift from the previously set 6:30 a.m.
The examination for this session is now set to commence at 8:30 a.m. and conclude at 10:30 a.m.
The notice further advised candidates that there is no necessity to reprint their examination slips due to this schedule adjustment.
The decision to alter the arrival time follows public outcry and criticism directed at the examination board. Many Nigerians had voiced concerns over the original 6:00 a.m. arrival requirement for candidates, a significant number of whom are teenagers. This early arrival meant many would have had to leave their homes before dawn, especially considering the distances many candidates have to travel to reach CBT centres.
Heeding these widespread concerns, JAMB has implemented the revised arrival schedule.
For the 2026 UTME, four examination sessions are planned daily from Monday through Thursday. The first session mandates candidates to arrive by 7:00 a.m., with the examination running from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
The second session is scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m. and end at 1:00 p.m. The third session will take place from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., followed by the final session of the day from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
On Fridays, the timetable reflects a similar structure, with the exception of the third session, which has been designated as 'reserved.' This indicates that only three active sessions will be conducted on Fridays, with the reserved slot likely for administrative purposes or unforeseen circumstances.
The 2026 UTME is scheduled to take place from Thursday, April 16, to Saturday, April 25. JAMB had previously stressed the importance of punctuality, urging all candidates to strictly adhere to the specified arrival times to ensure the examination process runs smoothly.
Over two million candidates are anticipated to participate in this year's UTME, which serves as a crucial gateway for admission into tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
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