JAMB Shifts 2026 UTME First Session Reporting Time To 7:00 a.m.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has revised the arrival time for candidates sitting the first session of the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, moving the scheduled reporting time from 6:30 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.
In a notice issued via its official X handle on Monday, the board stated that candidates for the first session 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 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 scheduled time, particularly for the first session, which is now 7:00am as against the earlier published 6:30am, while the scheduled start time for the session is now 8:30 am and end time 10:30 am,” the notice read.
The board also clarified that candidates are not required to reprint their examination slips following the adjustment.
The full daily timetable, as shared by JAMB, includes four sessions running from Monday to Friday, with adjusted timings across all batches to ensure smoother operations at Computer-Based Test centres nationwide.
This adjustment comes in response to long-standing feedback from candidates and parents regarding the challenges of very early morning travel, including safety concerns on roads before dawn and logistical difficulties for those coming from distant locations.
The UTME is scheduled to hold from Thursday, April 16, to Saturday, April 25, 2026.
The 2026 examination cycle follows continued efforts by JAMB to digitise and streamline Nigeria’s tertiary admission process. The board has consistently emphasised the importance of candidates arriving at centres early to allow for verification, biometric capture, and seating procedures before the commencement of tests.
Candidates are advised to regularly check JAMB’s official digital channels for further updates as the examination period approaches.