If you’re sitting the 2026 JAMB UTME, there’s something important you need to know right now. JAMB 2026 UTME Time Change has officially adjusted the 2026 UTME time schedule — and this change affects when you’re expected to arrive at your CBT centre, particularly if you’re scheduled for the first session.
The adjustment was announced on Monday, April 13, 2026, just days before the examination kicks off on April 16. Don’t panic. You don’t need to reprint anything. But you do need to understand exactly what changed, which sessions are affected, and what you should do to avoid any last-minute problems.
This guide breaks everything down — the new timetable, why the change happened, what it means for each session, and what you need to do before you step out on exam day.
JAMB Has Changed the 2026 UTME Arrival Time — Here’s What’s New
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) announced a slight but significant adjustment to the schedule for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination. The change focuses specifically on Session 1 — the first batch of candidates sitting for the exam each day.
What Was the Old Arrival Time?
Under the original schedule, candidates assigned to the first session were required to arrive at their Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres by 6:30 AM. That’s very early — especially when you factor in travel time, traffic, and the fact that many candidates live far from their assigned centres. A 6:30 AM arrival meant leaving home well before dawn for a lot of students.
Parents weren’t happy about it. Candidates weren’t happy either. And JAMB listened.
What Is the New Arrival Time for Session 1?
Effective immediately, first-session candidates should now arrive at their CBT centres by 7:00 AM instead of 6:30 AM. The exam itself will start at 8:30 AM and end at 10:30 AM.
That’s a 30-minute shift in arrival time, which might sound small, but for a candidate who lives 45 minutes to an hour away from their centre, that extra half-hour can make a real difference.
JAMB also confirmed that no other information on the exam slip has changed. The centre, date, and session assignment all remain the same.
The Complete 2026 UTME Session Timetable (Monday to Friday)
Here’s the full breakdown of all four daily sessions so you know exactly when to arrive and when your exam runs.
Monday to Thursday: Full Session Breakdown
| Session | Arrival Time | Exam Starts | Exam Ends |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session 1 | 7:00 AM | 8:30 AM | 10:30 AM |
| Session 2 | 9:00 AM | 11:00 AM | 1:00 PM |
| Session 3 | 11:00 AM | 1:30 PM | 3:30 PM |
| Session 4 | 2:00 PM | 4:00 PM | 6:00 PM |
These four sessions run back-to-back from Monday through Thursday throughout the exam period (April 16–25, 2026).
Friday Schedule and the Reserved Session Explained
Friday’s timetable is slightly different. Here’s how it looks:
| Session | Arrival Time | Exam Starts | Exam Ends | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Session 1 | 7:00 AM | 8:30 AM | 10:30 AM | Active |
| Session 2 | 9:00 AM | 11:00 AM | 1:00 PM | Active |
| Session 3 | 11:00 AM | 1:30 PM | 3:30 PM | Reserved |
| Session 4 | 2:00 PM | 4:00 PM | 6:00 PM | Active |
What Does the “Reserved” Friday Session Actually Mean?
The Friday Session 3 slot (1:30 PM – 3:30 PM) has been marked as “reserved.” This doesn’t mean no exam happens — it means JAMB is keeping that slot open as a buffer. It’s essentially a contingency window used for candidates who couldn’t sit for their exam on another day due to technical failures, centre disruptions, or other approved reasons.
If your exam slip shows Friday and Session 3, don’t assume you won’t be examined. Watch for official communication from JAMB closer to your exam date.
Why Did JAMB Make This Change?
This adjustment didn’t come out of nowhere. It was a direct response to criticism that had been building for a while.
Candidate and Parent Complaints That Forced JAMB’s Hand
The 6:30 AM arrival time had been a problem for many candidates across Nigeria, not just in 2026, but in previous years too. The main complaints were straightforward:
- Many candidates are posted to CBT centres that are far from their homes, sometimes in different local governments or even neighbouring towns.
- A 6:30 AM arrival means leaving home as early as 4:30 AM or 5:00 AM for candidates in distant areas.
- Travelling that early poses genuine safety risks — poor lighting, limited public transport, and security concerns on Nigerian roads before dawn.
- Some parents complained their teenage children had to commute alone in darkness just to meet an arrival time that didn’t even guarantee they’d start the exam on time.
These concerns weren’t new, but they became louder this year after the mock exam experience.
The 2026 UTME Mock Exam Problems That Made Things Worse
The 2026 UTME mock examination, held earlier in the year, was troubled from the start. Widespread technical glitches hit centres across the country. Network failures meant many candidates couldn’t load their exams. Some centres couldn’t begin at all. Others started hours late. Candidates who arrived at 6:30 AM sat waiting in the sun — or in the dark — for exams that didn’t start until mid-morning.
Adding insult to injury, JAMB eventually had to delist over 20 CBT centres across 11 states because they failed to meet technical standards during the mock exercise. All of this created a perfect storm of frustration, and the backlash on social media was significant.
By moving the Session 1 arrival time to 7:00 AM, JAMB is acknowledging that the old schedule was causing unnecessary hardship.
Do You Need to Reprint Your JAMB Exam Slip After the Time Change?
No. You do not need to reprint your exam slip.
JAMB has been very clear about this. The adjustment to Session 1’s arrival time does not require any change to your notification slip. Your centre, date, session number, and candidate details all remain exactly the same. The new timing applies automatically.
What this means practically: if your slip shows a 6:30 AM arrival time for Session 1, simply disregard that specific time and replace it mentally with 7:00 AM. Everything else on the slip is still valid and accurate.
Print your slip if you haven’t already — not because of the time change, but because you need it to gain entry into the exam centre on the day of your exam. You won’t be allowed in without it.
What This Time Change Means for You as a Candidate
If You’re in Session 1
You now have until 7:00 AM to arrive at your centre instead of 6:30 AM. That’s a helpful buffer. But don’t push it to the last minute. Arrive by 6:45 AM if you can. Accreditation (biometric verification) starts early and you don’t want to be caught in a crowd of candidates all trying to check in at the same time.
If You’re in Session 2, 3, or 4
Your session times haven’t officially changed. The key arrival times for Sessions 2, 3, and 4 are 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, and 2:00 PM respectively. Stick to those. And just as with Session 1, show up at least 15–20 minutes before your designated arrival time to allow for accreditation.
What Happens If You Arrive Late?
JAMB has consistently warned that late arrival can prevent you from sitting the exam. The accreditation window — when your biometrics are captured and your identity is confirmed — is time-limited. Once it closes, candidates who haven’t been accredited are typically not allowed in.
Missing accreditation isn’t treated as an excuse. You could lose your chance to sit the exam entirely. So whatever session you’re in, plan your travel to arrive ahead of the designated time, not at it.
Practical Tips to Prepare for Your 2026 UTME Exam Day
Locate Your CBT Centre Before Exam Day
Don’t wait until the morning of your exam to figure out where your centre is. Go there physically at least one day before. Know which gate to enter, where candidates queue, how long the commute actually takes, and whether there are any road issues that might affect your travel time.
Google Maps can give you a rough idea, but on-ground scouting is always better.
What to Carry to the Exam Centre
- Your JAMB Examination Notification Slip (printed, not on a phone)
- A valid ID (school ID, NIN slip, or any government-issued ID)
- An HB pencil (as permitted by JAMB’s 2026 UTME manual)
- Water and light snacks if allowed by your centre’s rules
- A face covering if you’re unwell, as a courtesy to others
What to Leave at Home
JAMB’s 2026 UTME manual has a clear list of banned items. Leave all of the following behind:
- Mobile phones and smartwatches
- Earphones and earbuds
- Any electronic device
- Bags (many centres don’t allow them inside)
- Textbooks, notes, or printed materials
Candidates caught with banned items face disqualification and possibly worse. It’s not worth the risk.
Key Facts About the 2026 UTME You Shouldn’t Forget
Here’s a quick summary of everything important:
- Exam start date: Thursday, April 16, 2026
- Exam end date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
- New Session 1 arrival time: 7:00 AM (previously 6:30 AM)
- Session 1 exam runs: 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM
- Sessions per day (Mon–Thu): Four active sessions
- Friday sessions: Three active + one reserved
- Slip reprint required: No
- Candidates expected: Over 2 million nationwide
- Exam mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Frequently Asked Questions About the JAMB 2026 UTME Time Change
What is the new arrival time for JAMB 2026 UTME Session 1?
The new arrival time for Session 1 is 7:00 AM. This replaces the previously published 6:30 AM arrival time. The exam itself starts at 8:30 AM and ends at 10:30 AM.
Does the time change affect all sessions or just Session 1?
The official adjustment specifically affects Session 1. Sessions 2, 3, and 4 retain their original schedule — arriving at 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, and 2:00 PM respectively.
Do I need to reprint my JAMB exam slip because of the time change?
No. JAMB has confirmed that no reprinting is required. Your existing exam slip remains valid. The new arrival time for Session 1 applies automatically.
My exam slip shows 6:30 AM for the first session. Which time should I follow?
Follow the new updated time — 7:00 AM. JAMB’s official notice supersedes what’s printed on slips that were generated before the announcement.
What is the Friday “reserved” session in the JAMB 2026 UTME schedule?
The Friday Session 3 slot (1:30 PM – 3:30 PM) is marked as reserved. JAMB uses this slot as a contingency — for candidates rescheduled due to technical issues, centre problems, or other approved disruptions. If you’re assigned to Friday Session 3, monitor JAMB’s official channels for further instructions.
Why did JAMB change the 2026 UTME arrival time?
The change came after widespread complaints from candidates and parents about the difficulties of the 6:30 AM arrival time, which required many students to leave home before dawn. The 2026 UTME mock exam also exposed serious logistical problems, including hours-long delays at centres, making the early arrival requirement even more frustrating.
What happens if I arrive late for my JAMB 2026 UTME session?
Late arrival risks disqualification from the exam. Once the accreditation window closes, candidates who haven’t been verified biometrically are generally not permitted to enter the examination hall. Plan to arrive before your designated time, not at it.
When does the 2026 JAMB UTME start and end?
The 2026 UTME runs from Thursday, April 16 to Saturday, April 25, 2026. During this period, four daily sessions are held from Monday to Thursday, with three active sessions on Fridays.