The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has warned that sanctions await candidates who registered for the 2026 mock Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) but failed to show up for the exercise.
JAMB, in a statement on Monday, explained that failure to participate in the mock UTME after indicating interest during registration and securing a slot deprives other interested candidates of the opportunity and will not be condoned.
JAMB noted that although the mock UTME was designed as an optional preparatory exercise, it is limited to a specific number of candidates; hence, indicating interest secures a valuable slot that could otherwise have been allocated to another candidate.
“Absence from the mock UTME after indicating interest will attract appropriate consequences.
All affected candidates are therefore strongly advised to make the necessary arrangements to participate in the Mock UTME scheduled for Saturday, 28th March 2026,” JAMB said.
Meanwhile, JAMB has announced that candidates scheduled for the 2026 mock UTME will spend more time in the examination compared to previous years. “Traditionally conducted for two hours, the mock UTME has been extended to four hours for the 2026 exercise.”
JAMB said the adjustment was designed to allow candidates to familiarise themselves with the Computer-Based Test (CBT) environment.
It further noted that two mock UTME sessions will be held on Saturday, 28th March 2026, to provide candidates with sufficient exposure and acquaintance ahead of the main examination, and candidates will participate in both sessions consecutively.
“The first session will run from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., followed by the second session from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Candidates are therefore advised to take note of the extended duration for the 2026 Mock UTME,” JAMB advised.
