The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has adjusted the arrival time for candidates sitting the first session of the 2027 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.
Under the revised arrangement, candidates will be required to arrive at their designated Computer-Based Test centres by 7:30 a.m., while the examination will run from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
JAMB announced the adjustment in its Weekly Bulletin on Monday, saying it was prompted by concerns over the safety and convenience of candidates who travel long distances to examination centres.
The Board said the earlier reporting time had meant that some candidates were forced to begin their journeys before dawn, exposing them to avoidable risks.
According to JAMB, the one-hour adjustment is expected to make it safer and more convenient for candidates to reach their centres and could also help reduce absenteeism during the examination.
The decision was reached at the Board’s 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 issues affecting the conduct of the Board’s examinations.
JAMB said the adjustment followed concerns raised by members of the public about the implications of requiring candidates to arrive at centres as early as 6:30 a.m.
The Board said it considered the concerns and determined that a later reporting time would better serve candidates without compromising the examination process.
JAMB explained that the change forms part of wider measures aimed at improving the safety, efficiency, credibility and overall experience of candidates as the scale of the UTME continues to grow.
It added that other examination sessions would retain the existing scheduling arrangements.
Although the 2027 UTME is still months away, JAMB said preparations were already underway, with lessons from previous examinations and decisions reached at the retreat being incorporated into plans for the next exercise.
The Board urged candidates and members of the public to take note of the adjustment and await further official communication on the full 2027 UTME timetable and other arrangements.
