JAMB 2026 UTME Exam Day: Slip Printing, What to Bring, and What to Expect

The 2026 UTME runs from Thursday, April 16 to Saturday, April 25, 2026, with over 2.2 million candidates sitting the exam across centres nationwide. JAMB has opened examination slip printing and is urging all candidates to confirm their schedule immediately.

This guide covers everything you need to know before, during, and after your exam.

Print Your Examination Slip Now

JAMB opened slip printing on April 9, 2026. Your examination slip contains your specific date, time, and centre — you cannot sit the exam without it.

How to Print

1. Go to slipsprinting.jamb.gov.ng
2. Enter your registration number, email address, or phone number
3. Click the green “Generate Examination Slip” button
4. Download and print on a clear, readable sheet

Print your slip before April 15. Do not wait until the last day — server congestion increases as the exam approaches. If you cannot print at home, visit any cyber cafe or business centre with a printer.

Your slip shows:

• Your exact examination date and time
• Your assigned CBT centre name and address
• Your registration number and passport photograph
• Your subject combination

Before Exam Day: Locate Your Centre

Visit your assigned examination centre at least one day before your exam. Know exactly where it is, how long it takes to get there, and what the surrounding area looks like. Many candidates have missed exams or arrived late because they assumed they could find the centre on the day itself.

If the centre is far from your location, make transport arrangements the day before. Account for traffic, especially in cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt where morning congestion is heavy.

What to Bring

• Printed examination slip — Mandatory. No slip, no entry.
• Pencil — The only writing instrument allowed in the hall. Bring at least two in case one breaks.
• A light snack and water — You may wait for hours before your session begins. Stay hydrated.

That is all. Travel light. The less you carry, the faster you clear security screening.

What NOT to Bring

JAMB has a strict list of prohibited items. Bringing any of these to the centre can lead to cancellation of your result:

• Mobile phones — Leave your phone at home or with someone outside the centre. Do not bring it "just to keep in your pocket."
• Wristwatches — Including digital and analogue watches. A timer is displayed on the computer screen.
• Earphones or earbuds
• Pens or biros — Only pencils are permitted
• Programmable calculators
• Any electronic device — Cameras, tablets, portable chargers, Bluetooth devices

Security screening at centres is thorough. Candidates caught with prohibited items face immediate disqualification and possible prosecution.

Arrival and Accreditation

Arrive at your centre at least one hour before your scheduled time. The accreditation process includes:

1. Document check: Officials verify your printed examination slip
2. Biometric verification: Your fingerprints are matched against what was captured during registration. No match, no entry.
3. Seating assignment: You are directed to your computer terminal

If your biometrics fail to verify, report immediately to the centre supervisor. JAMB has protocols for handling verification issues, but you must be present early enough for them to work.

The Exam Format

The UTME is a Computer-Based Test (CBT) with the following structure:

The Use of English section includes questions from the required novel The Lekki Headmaster. Read our complete summary with practice questions if you need a quick review before exam day. Skipping this book means giving away free marks.

Practice Before Your Exam Date

If you still have days before your scheduled slot, run through past UTME questions in CBT format. Practising on a screen builds the speed and familiarity that matters during the actual exam. Try past questions at ulearngo.com/products/utme, or download the UTME prep app on Google Play for offline practice on your phone.

During the Exam

Time Management

You have roughly 40 seconds per question. Do not spend more than a minute on any single question. Flag difficult questions and return to them after completing the easier ones. The on-screen timer counts down — check it periodically but do not fixate on it.

Navigation Tips

• Use the “Next” and “Previous” buttons to move between questions
• You can jump to any subject section at any time
• Answered questions are marked differently from unanswered ones on the navigation panel
• Review your answers before submitting if time permits

If Something Goes Wrong

If your computer freezes, the screen goes blank, or the system logs you out, raise your hand immediately and alert an invigilator. Do not attempt to fix the computer yourself. JAMB provides extra time for candidates affected by verifiable technical issues.

If there is a power outage, stay in your seat. Centres are required to have backup power. Your progress is saved automatically by the system.

Common Exam Day Mistakes

Arriving late. If you miss the accreditation window, you will not be allowed to sit the exam. There are no makeup sessions for latecomers.

Wrong centre. Some candidates mix up their centre or assume it is the same as their registration centre. Your exam centre is printed on your slip — confirm it.

Forgetting the slip. Without a printed examination slip, you will be turned away. Showing the slip on your phone is not accepted.

Rushing through questions. Two hours feels short but is enough if you pace yourself. Read each question carefully. Many mistakes come from misreading, not from lack of knowledge.

Not reviewing answers. If you finish early, use the remaining time to review flagged questions. Do not submit and leave until you have checked your work.

After the Exam

JAMB typically releases UTME results within 48 hours to two weeks after the exam. Results are checked at jamb.gov.ng using your registration number.

After receiving your result:

• Check whether your score meets your chosen institution’s cut-off mark
• Begin preparing for Post-UTME screening — most universities conduct their own additional tests
• Monitor JAMB’s Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) for admission updates
• If your score is lower than expected, consider the UTME-to-Direct-Entry conversion option or changing your institution choice through JAMB

Key Contacts

For official information and updates:

• JAMB website: jamb.gov.ng
• Slip printing: slipsprinting.jamb.gov.ng
• JAMB helplines: 080-091-234-56 (may vary — check the website for current numbers)

Ignore any social media posts about postponement, score upgrades, or “expo.” JAMB has confirmed the 2026 UTME proceeds as scheduled. Focus on preparation, arrive early, and trust what you have studied.