The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has adjusted the arrival and examination times for candidates sitting the 2027 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), moving the arrival time for the first session from 6:30am to 7:30am.
Under the new arrangement, candidates scheduled for the first session are expected to arrive at their designated Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres by 7:30am, while the examination will commence at 8:30am and end at 10:30am.
The adjustment is aimed at addressing safety and logistical challenges associated with very early-morning movement by candidates, particularly those travelling long distances to their assigned CBT centres.
The decision was reached at the 2026 Management and Information Technology Retreat of the Board, held in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, from September 6 to 11, 2026.
The retreat considered concerns raised by members of the public over the implications of the previous 6:30am arrival time, including the difficulties candidates could face travelling to examination centres before dawn.
According to the Board, the later arrival time is expected to improve the safety and convenience of candidates and potentially reduce absenteeism arising from difficulties associated with the earlier schedule.
The new schedule for the first examination session is:
Arrival: 7:30am
Examination: 8:30am–10:30am
JAMB said other examination sessions would subsequently follow in line with its established scheduling arrangements.
The retreat brought together the Board’s management, state coordinators, heads of outstation offices and other relevant stakeholders to examine issues affecting the conduct of its examinations and overall operations.
Participants deliberated on measures to improve the efficiency, safety, credibility and candidate experience of the UTME, particularly in view of the increasing scale and complexity of the examination.
Although the 2027 UTME is still months away, JAMB said preparations had commenced in earnest, with the Board seeking to apply lessons from previous examinations and implement decisions reached at the retreat.
The Board expressed optimism that the measures would contribute to making the 2027 UTME one of the most efficient, seamless and candidate-friendly examinations in its history.
JAMB advised candidates and members of the public to take note of the adjustment and await further official communication on the complete 2027 UTME timetable and other examination arrangements.
