JAMB announced on Monday via X that the arrival time for candidates taking the first session of the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination has been moved from 6:30 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. Test‑takers must be at their computer‑based test centres by the new time, with the examination slated to start at 8:30 a.m. and conclude at 10:30 a.m. The board clarified that candidates do not need to reprint their admission slips. The revised schedule applies to the first of four daily sessions planned from Monday, 16 April, to Friday, 25 April 2026, across centres nationwide. The adjustment follows complaints from parents, guardians and schools who argued that the original 6:30 a.m. call‑in would force students to leave home as early as 4:00 a.m. amid heightened insecurity.
The shift to a 7:00 a.m. arrival eases the logistical burden on students and families, reducing the need for extremely early travel that many found unsafe. By aligning the start time with a more realistic morning routine, the change could improve punctuality and focus during the exam, potentially influencing overall performance.
Given the tight timetable of four sessions between 16 and 25 April, candidates should verify their specific centre's schedule and plan transport accordingly, allowing extra time for any unforeseen delays. Parents are advised to confirm the updated arrival time directly with the test centre to avoid confusion on the day of the exam.
