JAMB 2026 UTME timetable adjustment moves candidate arrival time to 7:00am as board updates schedule for smoother exam operations
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced a slight adjustment to the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination timetable, shifting the arrival time for first-session candidates.
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In a notice issued via its official X handle on Monday, JAMB stated that candidates scheduled for the first session are now expected to arrive at examination centres by 7:00 a.m., instead of the previously announced 6:30 a.m.
The board also confirmed that the first session will now commence at 8:30 a.m. and end at 10:30 a.m., maintaining a structured timeline for the Computer-Based Test (CBT) exercise.
According to the statement, the adjustment is part of efforts to improve operational efficiency and ensure smoother coordination across examination centres nationwide.
JAMB further clarified that candidates are not required to reprint their examination slips following the timetable update, easing concerns among prospective candidates.
The revised schedule now includes four daily sessions from Monday to Friday, with adjusted timings designed to improve logistics and reduce early morning travel challenges.
The examination body explained that the change responds to feedback from candidates and parents, particularly regarding safety concerns associated with early morning movement.
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The 2026 UTME is scheduled to hold from April 16 to April 25, 2026, across approved CBT centres in the country.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
