The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has kicked off the 2026 examination activities with the conduct of the mock Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) on Saturday across the country.

No fewer than 227,896 candidates indicated interest to participate in the mock exercise during the UTME registration.

A few days ago, JAMB issued a warning that sanctions await candidates who registered for the 2026 mock UTME and failed to show up for the exercise.

JAMB explained that failure to participate in mock UTME after indicating interest during registration and securing a slot deprives other interested candidates of the opportunity, and will not be condoned.

It noted that though 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.

It insisted that absence from the mock UTME after indicating interest will attract appropriate consequences, therefore advising all affected candidates to make the necessary arrangements to participate in the mock UTME.

JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, introduced mock UTME in 2017 as an opportunity to get candidates acquainted with the CBT system, kill anxiety, fear and prepare them for the main UTME that often comes a few weeks after the mock exercise.

Another reason, perhaps, was to allow JAMB to test it systems, manpower, and general readiness for the year’s UTME.

However, the 2026 exercise witnessed mixed experiences from candidates that participated in the exercise at various Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres in Abuja.

At a CBT centre in Kurudu, Abuja, some candidates complained about system malfunction, as well as unexpected timeout.

A parent, Plangnam, said her son was scheduled to participate in the exercise, but witnessed repeated biometric challenges but he finally gained entry into the hall through the help of one of the staff.

At the same CBT centre, a parent who pleaded anonymity said the exercise was peaceful and hitch-free for his son. “My son came as early as possible, and his biometric verification was seamless, and he was allowed access into the hall.”

He appealed to JAMB to sustain the effort to ensure the main UTME exercise scheduled to hold in a few weeks’ time witness seamless participation and good experience from the candidates.

“Nevertheless, I believe JAMB often uses the mock exercise to check their readiness for the main UTME. So, I suggest they collate all the complaints and frustrations of candidates and CBT centre operators from across the country, analyse them critically, and make necessary corrections preparatory for the UTME,” he suggested.

Meanwhile, JAMB 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 give candidates the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the CBT environment, a key essence of mock UTME.

It further noted that the mock UTME will be in two sessions 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 8:00am to 10:00 am followed by the second session from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. Candidates were therefore advised to take note of the extended duration for the 2026 mock UTME,” JAMB advised. (The Sun)

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