The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has dropped a major bombshell ahead of the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). It has introduced one of the most significant changes to the mock exam process in recent years. The Board has doubled the duration of the 2026 JAMB mock UTME and warned that participation is mandatory for all registered candidates.
Here’s everything you need to know about this critical development.
Mock UTME Duration Doubled: From 2 Hours to 4 Hours
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has announced that candidates for the 2026 JAMB Mock UTME (Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination) will spend more time on the exam than in previous years. Traditionally, the Board conducted the mock UTME over two hours. However, it has now extended the duration to four hours for the 2026 exercise.
This change marks a significant departure from tradition. It also underscores the Board’s commitment to better preparing candidates for the CBT experience. Furthermore, the Board disclosed this in a statement. It explained that the adjustment will give candidates more time to familiarise themselves with the Computer-Based Test (CBT) environment before the main examination.
Two Back-to-Back Sessions on Saturday, March 28, 2026
To accommodate the extended duration, JAMB will conduct the examination in two consecutive sessions on the same day.
First, the exam will run from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Next, a second session will follow from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Candidates must participate in both sessions.
Moreover, the Board introduced these adjustments to give candidates sufficient exposure and familiarity before the main UTME.
Notably, this two-session format is the first in the history of the Mock UTME. As a result, it will give candidates an unprecedented amount of practice time with the CBT system before the main examination.
Participation is Now Mandatory for Registered Candidates
Perhaps the most consequential part of JAMB’s announcement is its strict attendance policy. In its weekly bulletin issued on Monday, March 23, the Board stated that the 2026 mock UTME is mandatory for all registered candidates.
Although the Mock UTME is designed as an optional preparatory exercise, the Board limits participation to a specific number of candidates. When candidates indicate interest, they secure a valuable slot that could have gone to someone else. Therefore, candidates must participate after securing a slot. Otherwise, they deny other interested candidates the opportunity, and the Board will not condone such actions.
Consequences for No-Shows
The Board did not mince words when it came to candidates who fail to appear. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has announced that candidates who registered for the 2026 mock Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination but fail to attend will face sanctions.
In its weekly bulletin released on Monday, the board explained that missing the mock UTME after securing a slot denies other candidates the opportunity to participate and will not be tolerated.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, said it is mandatory for candidates who registered for the JAMB Mock UTME to participate. Prof. Oloyede explained that the Mock-UTME has limited slots, and candidates who registered but refuse to sit for it have only wasted a slot that another interested candidate could’ve taken.
How to Print Your Mock UTME Slip
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that candidates who registered for the 2026 Mock UTME can start printing their notification slips from Monday, 23 March.
Here’s how to print your slip:
- Visit the official JAMB website at https://jamb.gov.ng
- Candidates are required to visit the official JAMB website and select the “2-Session 2026 Mock Slip Printing” option, after which they can input their registration number to access and print their slips.
All registered candidates have been advised to print their slips early and locate their assigned examination centres within their chosen towns ahead of the exam date.
Key Dates to Remember
Here’s a quick summary of the important dates surrounding the 2026 UTME cycle:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| UTME Registration Period | January 26 – February 28, 2026 |
| Mock UTME Exam | Saturday, March 28, 2026 |
| Main UTME Examination | April 16 – April 25, 2026 |
Expanded Examination Centres for 2026
In a related development, ahead of the 2026 UTME, JAMB created 1,000 examination centres nationwide, up from fewer than 800 in 2025, to improve access and logistics for candidates.
This expansion demonstrates JAMB’s continued effort to reduce congestion and provide a smoother examination experience for over two million candidates.
JAMB has officially announced that 2,243,816 candidates successfully registered for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). With such a massive number of candidates, the increase in examination centres is a welcome development.
Read: Over 2.24 Million Candidates Register for 2026 JAMB UTME: Proven Strategies to Score High
JAMB’s Innovation and Reform Agenda
The initiative aligns with JAMB’s commitment to innovation, integrity, and efficiency in the conduct of examinations, with 2026 marking a significant milestone of sustained reforms within the Board.
Prof. Oloyede further disclosed that JAMB has introduced an alternate examination route to strengthen the security of its operations and reduce stress on personnel.
The Board has commenced nationwide training and sensitisation of technical officers and biometric verification staff to ensure smooth implementation of the new system.
Why This Change Matters for Candidates
The decision to extend the JAMB Mock UTME to four hours and make it mandatory for registered candidates is a significant step for several reasons:
- Better CBT Familiarisation: Many candidates, especially first-timers, struggle with navigating the computer-based testing environment. Four hours of hands-on practice can significantly reduce test-day anxiety and improve performance.
- Accountability and Fairness: By enforcing mandatory participation, JAMB ensures that limited mock slots are not wasted. This creates a fairer system where every slot goes to a candidate who truly benefits from the opportunity.
- Improved Main UTME Performance: Candidates who are familiar with the CBT system tend to perform better during the main examination because they can focus on answering questions rather than figuring out the technology.
What Candidates Should Do Now
If you are registered for the 2026 JAMB Mock UTME, here’s your action plan:
- Print your mock slip immediately from jamb.gov.ng
- Locate your assigned examination centre before the exam day
- Plan to be at the centre early — the first session starts at 8:00 a.m.
- Prepare to stay for both sessions — from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Do not skip the mock exam — JAMB has warned of consequences for no-shows
- Continue your UTME preparation — the main exam begins on April 16, 2026
Final Thoughts on JAMB Mock UTME 2026
JAMB’s decision to extend the mock examination time and enforce mandatory attendance is a clear signal that the Board is serious about improving the examination experience for candidates. With over 2.2 million candidates vying for limited admission slots in Nigerian tertiary institutions, every opportunity to practice and prepare counts.
If you registered for the mock, treat Saturday, March 28, as a dress rehearsal for the real thing. Arrive early, stay focused, and make the most of the full four hours. Your performance in the main UTME could very well depend on how seriously you take this preparatory exercise.
Good luck to all 2026 UTME candidates!
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