The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has adjusted the arrival and examination times for candidates scheduled to participate in the first session of the 2027 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
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 the earlier 6:30 a.m. reporting time.
The examination will commence at 8:30 a.m. and end at 10:30 a.m.
JAMB announced the adjustment in its weekly bulletin released in Abuja, explaining that the decision was prompted by safety and logistical concerns associated with candidates travelling to examination centres in the early hours of the morning.
The board said the concern was particularly significant for candidates whose examination centres are located far from their homes and who may have to embark on their journeys before dawn.
According to JAMB, the decision followed deliberations at its 2026 Management and Information Technology Retreat held in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, from September 6 to 11.
The retreat considered concerns raised by members of the public regarding the previous reporting time and the potential risks and inconveniences faced by candidates travelling in the early morning.
JAMB said the adjustment was intended to enhance candidates’ safety and convenience while also reducing possible absenteeism resulting from difficulties associated with the earlier schedule.
The board, however, stated that other examination sessions would retain their existing scheduling arrangements.
The retreat brought together JAMB management, state coordinators, heads of outstation offices and other relevant stakeholders, who examined measures for improving the efficiency, credibility and safety of the UTME.
The participants also considered ways to enhance the overall examination experience, particularly as the scale and operational complexity of the UTME continue to increase.
Although the 2027 UTME is still months away, JAMB said preparations were already underway, with the board working to incorporate lessons from previous examinations and implement decisions reached at the retreat.
The board said the ultimate objective was to provide candidates with a more efficient, seamless and user-friendly examination experience.
JAMB urged candidates and members of the public to take note of the revised first-session schedule while awaiting the release of the complete 2027 UTME timetable and other official examination arrangements.
