JAMB Adjusts 2026 UTME Schedule Over Early Arrival Complaints
By Queen Madaki
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced a slight adjustment to the schedule for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) following widespread complaints over early arrival times and logistical challenges.
The update was disclosed in a statement shared on the Board’s official X (formerly Twitter) page.
The adjustment is aimed at improving coordination and ensuring a smoother examination process for candidates across the country.
What They Are Saying
JAMB explained that the revised schedule is part of ongoing efforts to enhance the conduct of the examination and address concerns raised during previous UTME and mock sessions.
Under the new arrangement, candidates scheduled for the first session are now expected to arrive at 7:00 AM instead of the earlier 6:30 AM.
The first session will begin at 8:30 AM and end at 10:30 AM.
The Board also confirmed that candidates will continue to sit for the examination in four sessions daily from Monday to Thursday.
Monday to Thursday Schedule
- Session 1: Arrive 7:00 AM | 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM
- Session 2: Arrive 9:00 AM | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Session 3: Arrive 11:00 AM | 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
- Session 4: Arrive 2:00 PM | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Friday Schedule
- Session 1: Arrive 7:00 AM | 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM
- Session 2: Arrive 9:00 AM | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Session 3 (Reserved): Arrive 11:00 AM | 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
- Session 4: Arrive 2:00 PM | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
What You Should Know
The early arrival requirement has been a major concern for candidates and parents, particularly during the recently concluded UTME mock examination.
Many candidates were previously required to arrive at centres as early as 6:30 AM, forcing families to begin journeys before dawn, especially when assigned to distant examination centres.
Parents raised safety concerns over early morning travel, citing transportation challenges and security risks in some areas.
Despite arriving early, many candidates reportedly experienced long waiting times due to delays and technical issues, with some centres failing to commence exams on schedule.
The 2026 UTME mock examination was also affected by widespread technical glitches, including network failures and system errors, which prevented some candidates from sitting for the test.
In response, JAMB delisted over 20 Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across 11 states that failed to meet the required technical standards during the mock exercise.
The Board said the measures are part of broader efforts to improve the reliability and efficiency of the main UTME examination.