The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has officially adjusted the arrival time for candidates sitting for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), and this update now clearly reflects in the full daily schedule released by the board.
If you are writing the exam this year, this is something you should understand properly so you do not miss your session or arrive at the wrong time.
New Arrival Time for First Session Candidates
JAMB has confirmed that candidates scheduled for the first session are now expected to arrive at their examination centres by 7:00 AM, instead of the earlier 6:30 AM.
The exam will then:
- Start by 8:30 AM
- End by 10:30 AM
This slight adjustment was made to reduce the stress of extremely early movement and to help candidates get to their centres more safely.
Full 2026 UTME Daily Schedule (Monday to Thursday)
According to the official timetable, the UTME will run in four sessions daily from Monday to Thursday:
Session 1
- Arrival: 7:00 AM
- Exam Time: 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Session 2
- Arrival: 9:00 AM
- Exam Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Session 3
- Arrival: 11:00 AM
- Exam Time: 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Session 4
- Arrival: 2:00 PM
- Exam Time: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Each session is properly spaced to allow for smooth candidate verification, biometric checks, and proper use of Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across the country.
Special Friday Schedule You Should Know
Friday follows a similar structure, but with a slight adjustment:
Session 1
- Arrival: 7:00 AM
- Exam Time: 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Session 2
- Arrival: 9:00 AM
- Exam Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Session 3
- Arrival: 11:00 AM
- Exam Time: Reserved (No exam scheduled)
Session 4
Arrival: 2:00 PM
Exam Time: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
The third session on Friday is intentionally left reserved, most likely to accommodate Jumat prayers and other logistical considerations.
Do You Need to Reprint Your UTME Slip?
No. JAMB has made it clear that you do not need to reprint your examination slip because of this update.
- All candidates are only expected to take note of the new timing and plan accordingly.
- Then remember to carry along with you the JAMB Reprinting slip you already have before the update, it will be accepted.
Why JAMB This Adjustment Matters
This change is actually a good one for candidates. Many students and parents previously complained about:
- Moving very early in the morning
- Difficulty getting transport before daylight
- Safety concerns during early travel
- With the new 7:00 AM arrival time, things are now a bit more flexible and safer.
This is the post from JAMB official account from X:
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 pic.twitter.com/5a8Jppp7aw
— JAMB (@JAMBHQ) April 13, 2026
Important Advice for All Candidates
To avoid any issues on your exam day:
- Make sure you know your exact session time
- Arrive early, but not too early
- Do not miss your biometric verification
- Plan your transport at least a day before your exam
The 2026 UTME will run from April 16 to April 25, 2026, so proper planning is very important.
If you follow the schedule correctly, you will avoid unnecessary stress and focus better during your exam.
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