The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued a stern warning to candidates who registered for the 2026 mock Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) but fail to attend the scheduled exercise.
In an official statement released on Monday, JAMB emphasized that sanctions await those who neglect to participate after expressing interest during the registration process.
JAMB explained that the mock UTME, while optional, is a critical preparatory exercise limited to a specific number of candidates.
By indicating their interest, candidates secure a valuable slot that could have been allocated to other interested individuals.
“Failure to participate in the mock UTME after indicating interest deprives other candidates of the opportunity, and such behavior will not be tolerated,” the statement read.
Candidates are strongly encouraged to make necessary arrangements to attend the mock UTME scheduled for Saturday, 28th March 2026.
JAMB stressed that absence without justification would lead to appropriate consequences.
In a significant change for this year’s examination, JAMB announced that candidates scheduled for the 2026 mock UTME will enjoy an extended testing period.
The examination will now last four hours, doubled from the traditional two-hour format.
This adjustment aims to help candidates better familiarize themselves with the Computer-Based Test (CBT) environment.
Moreover, JAMB has confirmed that two mock UTME sessions will be conducted on the same day to ensure ample exposure for candidates.
The first session is set to run from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., followed by a second session from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Candidates are advised to take note of this extended duration as they prepare for the practice examination.
As the date approaches, JAMB continues to stress the importance of participation in the mock UTME as an essential step towards a successful main examination.
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