If you registered for the 2026 UTME and already have your exam slip printed, there is a last-minute update from JAMB that you need to read before you set your alarm for exam morning. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has revised its daily examination schedule, pushing session times forward by 30 minutes  and for candidates in the first session especially, this change directly affects when you need to leave your house.

The adjustment was announced on JAMB’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle just days before the exam window opens on April 16. While JAMB described it as a “slight adjustment,” the implications for over 2.2 million candidates writing across hundreds of CBT centres nationwide are anything but minor. Understanding this change and planning around it is one of the most important things you can do right now.

The Reason JAMB Make This Change

The timing shift did not come out of nowhere. It was a direct response to complaints that flooded in from candidates and parents following the 2026 Mock UTME, which held on March 27.

Under the original schedule, candidates assigned to the first session were required to arrive at their CBT centres by 6:30 a.m. For many families especially those in cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Kaduna where traffic is unpredictable and CBT centres are often far from candidates’ homes, that meant leaving the house before 5:00 a.m. or even earlier.

Parents complained that some candidates were posted to distant locations, making the early timing difficult and, in some cases, unsafe given transportation and security concerns at that hour. Many of those who managed to arrive on time during the mock exam were then made to wait for hours due to technical glitches and coordination failures raising the obvious question of why candidates were asked to come so early in the first place.

JAMB listened. The 30-minute shift in the first session arrival time is the board’s direct response to that feedback, and it reflects a broader adjustment across all four daily sessions.

Here is The Full Updated UTME Daily Schedule

Monday to Thursday:

Friday:

The structure on Fridays mirrors Monday to Thursday for Sessions 1 and 2. However, Session 3 has been designated as “reserved,” scheduled between 1:30 PM and 3:30 PM, while Session 4 will still hold from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The reserved slot is set aside for contingencies and administrative purposes, meaning not all Friday sessions will run at full capacity.

Do You Need to Reprint Your Exam Slip Because of This?

This is the question every candidate is currently asking  and the answer is no. JAMB has clearly stated that candidates do not need to reprint their examination slips, as the adjustment only affects the arrival time and does not alter any other details already provided. Your centre, exam date, session assignment, and all other details remain exactly as shown on your current slip.

What you need to do instead is simply take note of the updated arrival time for your session and plan accordingly. If your slip shows Session 1, your new arrival time is 7:00 AM — not 6:30 AM. If you are in Session 2, you should now arrive by 9:00 AM.

A Few Things to Have Ready Before April 16

Beyond the timing update, JAMB has reminded all candidates of what to bring on exam day:

• A printed copy of your current examination slip
• A valid ID — your National Identification Number slip, school ID, or birth certificate
• An HB pencil (specifically required — not a pen)
• Nothing else. JAMB has issued a strict list of banned items including mobile phones, smart watches, and any electronic device

Arrive early. Confirm your centre address ahead of time by physically visiting the location if possible. And make sure you are getting your information only from JAMB’s official channels — the official website at www.jamb.gov.ng and the verified JAMB X handle.

FINALLY,
The 2026 UTME begins on April 16 and runs through April 25. Over 2.2 million candidates will be writing across 1,000 CBT centres nationwide. JAMB has done its part by adjusting the schedule in response to real feedback from candidates and parents. The rest is up to you.

Check your session. Note your updated arrival time. Set two alarms. Know your route to your centre. And walk into that exam hall with everything in order — because all the preparation you have put in over the past months deserves a smooth, stress-free start on exam morning.

Visit www.jamb.gov.ng for the full timetable and any further announcements ahead of April 16.