The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced a change to the arrival time for candidates scheduled to sit the first session of the 2027 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
Under the new arrangement, candidates taking the first session will be required to arrive at their assigned Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres by 7:30 a.m., instead of the previous 6:30 a.m. reporting time.
The examination itself will begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 10:30 a.m
JAMB said the one-hour adjustment was introduced after considering the difficulties candidates could encounter while attempting to reach examination centres early in the morning.
“The adjustment is aimed at addressing concerns over the safety and logistical difficulties faced by candidates who are required to travel very early in the morning, particularly those journeying considerable distances to their assigned CBT centres.”
The examination body said the decision was one of the outcomes of its 2026 Management and Information Technology Retreat, held in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, between September 6 and 11.
According to JAMB, concerns raised by members of the public about the previous reporting time were considered during discussions at the retreat.
“During the retreat, the Board considered concerns raised by members of the public regarding the implications of the previous early arrival time, including the challenges candidates may face travelling before dawn.”
Following the deliberations, JAMB management concluded that moving the reporting time forward by one hour would provide candidates with a safer and more convenient arrangement.
“Management consequently determined that a later arrival time would enhance the safety, convenience and overall examination experience of candidates, while potentially reducing absenteeism arising from difficulties associated with the earlier schedule.”
The revised arrangement applies specifically to candidates taking the first examination session. They are expected at their designated CBT centres by 7:30 a.m., one hour before the examination begins at 8:30 a.m.
The two-hour session is scheduled to conclude at 10:30 a.m., while subsequent UTME sessions will continue according to JAMB’s established scheduling arrangements.
JAMB said the adjustment formed part of broader discussions at the retreat aimed at improving the conduct of the examination.
The meeting brought together members of the board’s management team, state coordinators, heads of outstation offices and other relevant stakeholders.
“Participants examined measures to further strengthen the efficiency, safety, credibility and candidate-friendliness of the UTME, particularly in view of the growing scale and complexity of the examination.”
Although candidates still have several months before the 2027 UTME, JAMB said preparations for the examination are already underway.
The board said experiences from previous editions of the UTME would guide some of the changes being introduced for the next exercise.
“JAMB intends to apply lessons from previous examinations and implement decisions reached at the retreat to deliver a more efficient, seamless and candidate-friendly UTME.”
Candidates and members of the public have been advised to take note of the new reporting time.
JAMB said further information on the complete 2027 UTME timetable and other arrangements for the examination would be communicated officially as preparations progress.
