The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has revised the reporting and examination times for candidates scheduled to sit the first session of the 2027 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
Under the new arrangement, candidates are to arrive at their designated Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres by 7:30 a.m., instead of the previously scheduled 6:30 a.m. The examination will commence at 8:30 a.m. and end at 10:30 a.m.
JAMB announced the adjustment in its weekly bulletin issued in Abuja, saying it was aimed at addressing safety and logistical concerns associated with early-morning journeys to examination centres.
The board said the concerns were particularly significant for candidates travelling long distances, many of whom had to leave their homes before daybreak to meet the earlier reporting time.
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It explained that the decision followed discussions at its 2026 Management and IT Retreat, held in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, from September 6 to 11.
The retreat brought together JAMB management, state coordinators, heads of outstation offices and other stakeholders to review measures for improving the conduct of the UTME.
The board said the new reporting time would provide candidates with safer and more convenient travel conditions, while potentially reducing absenteeism linked to difficulties associated with the previous schedule.
JAMB, however, clarified that other examination sessions would retain their existing timetable.
The board said deliberations at the retreat also focused on improving the efficiency, safety, credibility and overall candidate experience as the examination continues to expand in scale and complexity.
Although the 2027 UTME is still months away, JAMB said preparations were already underway, with lessons from previous examinations being incorporated into planning for the next exercise.
The board said the objective was to provide a more efficient, seamless and candidate-friendly examination.
JAMB urged candidates and the public to take note of the revised reporting time and await further official updates on the complete 2027 UTME timetable and other examination arrangements.
