The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially commenced its 2026 examination activities with the nationwide conduct of the Mock Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), held on Today, Saturday 28th of March, 2026.
A total of 227,896 candidates registered and indicated interest in participating in this year’s mock exercise, reaffirming the growing importance of the mock UTME as a preparatory tool for the main examination.
JAMB Issues Warning to Absentees
Ahead of the exercise, JAMB issued a strong warning to candidates who selected the mock UTME but failed to show up. According to the Board, such actions deny other interested candidates the opportunity to participate, as the mock exam is limited to a specific number of slots.
JAMB emphasized that:
- Indicating interest in the mock UTME automatically reserves a valuable slot.
- Failure to attend after securing a slot will attract sanctions.
- Candidates must take responsibility and honour their commitment.
While the mock UTME remains optional, the Board made it clear that absenteeism will not be tolerated moving forward.
Purpose of the Mock UTME
The Registrar of JAMB, Is-haq Oloyede, introduced the mock UTME in 2017 with key objectives, including:
- Helping candidates become familiar with the Computer-Based Test (CBT) system
- Reducing exam anxiety and fear
- Preparing candidates mentally for the main UTME
- Allowing JAMB to test its systems, personnel, and overall readiness
The mock exam serves as both a practice platform for candidates and a technical rehearsal for JAMB. Mixed Experiences Across CBT Centres
Reports from various centres, particularly in Abuja, revealed a mix of smooth operations and technical challenges.
At a CBT centre in Kurudu:
- Some candidates experienced system malfunctions and unexpected timeouts.
- A parent reported biometric verification issues, though the candidate was eventually allowed to sit for the exam after intervention.
On the positive side:
- Other candidates had seamless verification and smooth exam experiences.
- Parents commended JAMB for improvements and urged continued refinement ahead of the main UTME.
Stakeholders also advised JAMB to:
- Collect feedback from candidates and CBT operators nationwide
- Analyse reported issues critically
- Implement necessary corrections before the main examination
Extended Duration for 2026 Mock UTME
In a significant change, JAMB extended the duration of the mock UTME from the usual 2 hours to 4 hours for 2026.
The exam was conducted in two sessions:
- First Session: 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
- Second Session: 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Candidates participated in both sessions consecutively.
This adjustment was designed to:
- Provide deeper exposure to the CBT environment
- Enhance familiarity with exam structure and timing
- Better prepare candidates for the main UTME
The 2026 mock UTME highlights JAMB’s continued effort to improve the examination process while equipping candidates with the experience needed to succeed.
Despite some technical challenges, the exercise remains a critical step toward ensuring a smoother and more efficient main UTME in the coming weeks.
Candidates are strongly advised to:
- Take mock exercises seriously
- Arrive early at their centres
- Stay calm and focused during exams
With proper preparation and lessons learned from the mock, candidates stand a better chance of excelling in the main UTME.
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My son registered in Ibadan but was placed in abia for the mock. The attendant chose for him under the excuse that Ibadan was filled up. Of course he was absent. Jamb is threatening to sanction absentees without considering circumstances like this.