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The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has adjusted the schedule for the 2027 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), moving the arrival time for candidates in the first examination session from 6:30 am to 7:30 am.
Under the new arrangement, candidates writing the first session of the examination are expected to arrive at their designated Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres by 7:30 am, while the examination will commence at 8:30 am and end at 10:30 am.
The adjustment, according to the Board, is aimed at addressing safety and logistical concerns associated with very early morning movement by candidates, particularly those travelling long distances to their assigned examination centres.
JAMB said the decision was reached following extensive deliberations at its 2026 Management and Information Technology (IT) Retreat held in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, last week.
The retreat brought together the Board’s management, state coordinators, heads of outstation offices and other relevant stakeholders to review issues affecting the conduct of its examinations and overall operations.
According to the Board, concerns raised by members of the public over the previous 6:30 am arrival time were carefully considered during the retreat.
It said candidates travelling considerable distances could face difficulties moving to their examination centres before dawn, potentially exposing them to safety risks and increasing the likelihood of absenteeism.
JAMB therefore resolved that shifting the arrival time by one hour would improve the safety and convenience of candidates while reducing the number of candidates who might miss their examinations because of difficulties associated with the earlier schedule.
The Board said the first session of the 2027 UTME would consequently follow the new timetable, with candidates arriving by 7:30 am, examination starting at 8:30 am and ending at 10:30 am.
Other examination sessions will subsequently follow in line with the Board’s established scheduling arrangements.
JAMB said the adjustment was one of the outcomes of the far-reaching deliberations at the retreat, which examined measures for improving the efficiency, safety, credibility and overall candidate experience of the UTME.
The Board noted that the scale and complexity of the examination had continued to increase, making it necessary to regularly review its operational arrangements and draw lessons from previous exercises.
Although the 2027 UTME is still months away, JAMB said preparations had already commenced in earnest, with the objective of delivering a more efficient, seamless and candidate-friendly examination.
The Board said it would leverage lessons from previous UTME exercises and decisions reached at the retreat to strengthen preparations for next year’s examination.
JAMB advised candidates and the general public to take note of the adjustment and await further official communication on the complete 2027 UTME timetable and other examination arrangements.
