2026 UTME: JAMB adjusts arrival time for candidates

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has adjusted the arrival time for candidates sitting the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), particularly those scheduled for the first session.

In a notice shared on its official X handle, the board stated that first-session candidates are now expected to arrive at their examination centres by 7:00 a.m., instead of the earlier scheduled 6:30 a.m.

JAMB added that the examination will still commence at 8:30 a.m. and end at 10:30 a.m.

“Attention 2026 UTME candidates: This is to notify you of a slight adjustment to the arrival time, particularly for the first session, which is now 7:00 a.m. as against the earlier published 6:30 a.m., while the start time is 8:30 a.m. and end time 10:30 a.m.,” the board said.

According to the examination body, the revised timetable includes four daily sessions running from Monday to Friday, with updated time slots designed to improve efficiency across Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres nationwide.

The adjustment follows concerns raised by candidates and parents over early morning travel, especially issues related to safety and transportation.

JAMB also clarified that candidates do not need to reprint their examination slips as a result of the change.

The 2026 UTME is scheduled to hold from April 16 to April 25, 2026.