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Arrival at designated Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres adjusted from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has shifted the arrival time for candidates sitting the first session of the 2027 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) by one hour, citing safety and logistical concerns over early-morning travel.
Under the revised arrangement, candidates for the first session are now required to arrive at their designated Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres by 7:30 a.m., instead of 6:30 a.m. The examination will commence at 8:30 a.m. and end at 10:30 a.m.
JAMB announced the change in its weekly bulletin released in Abuja on Monday.
The board said the adjustment was made in response to concerns raised by members of the public about the risks associated with candidates traveling to examination centers before dawn, particularly those coming from distant locations.
According to JAMB, the earlier reporting time could force some candidates to leave their homes at unsafe hours, potentially increasing their exposure to security and transportation risks.
The board said the one-hour adjustment was intended to make the examination safer and more convenient for candidates and reduce absenteeism linked to difficulties in reaching centres early in the morning.
The decision was reached during JAMB’s 2026 Management and Information Technology Retreat held in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, from 6 to 11 September.
The retreat brought together the board’s management, state coordinators, heads of outstation offices, and other stakeholders to review the conduct of its examinations and consider measures to improve efficiency, safety, credibility, and the overall candidate experience.
JAMB said the revised timing applies to the first examination session, while subsequent sessions would continue under the board’s established scheduling arrangements.
The adjustment is part of a wider set of measures announced ahead of the 2027 UTME.
JAMB has also introduced a National Digital Pre-Registration App (NDPA) to allow prospective candidates to prepare for the registration process before visiting accredited registration centres.
Under the new system, candidates will be able to use their mobile phones to research courses, check eligibility, review subject combinations, verify personal information, and consider their admission choices before completing the formal registration process at an accredited center.
JAMB said the app would not replace physical registration or the required verification at accredited centres. Instead, it would serve as a preparatory platform designed to reduce errors and shorten the time candidates spend at registration centres.
The board said the system would also allow parents and guardians to participate more actively in helping candidates make informed choices.
The introduction of the app and the revised examination schedule are among measures JAMB said it was adopting from lessons learnt from previous UTME exercises.
Although the 2027 UTME is still months away, preparations are already underway.
JAMB advised prospective candidates and the general public to note the revised first-session timing and to await further official announcements regarding the complete 2027 UTME timetable and other arrangements.
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