NABTEB has released the official timetable for the 2026 November/December NBC/NTC and ANBC/ANTC examinations, popularly called the NABTEB GCE. Practical papers begin on Monday, 2 November 2026, theory papers start on Monday, 23 November, and the last paper is on Saturday, 5 December 2026.
Registration costs ₦22,500 for NBC/NTC and ₦25,500 for ANBC/ANTC. Below are the exact dates and times for every subject, taken from the board’s official timetable.
Key Highlights
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Examination | 2026 Nov/Dec NBC/NTC and ANBC/ANTC |
| Practical papers | Monday 2 November to Saturday 14 November 2026 |
| Theory papers | Monday 23 November to Saturday 5 December 2026 |
| First paper | Monday 2 November 2026 |
| Last paper | Saturday 5 December 2026 (Literature in English Paper II, 1:30pm) |
| NBC/NTC fee | ₦22,500 per candidate |
| ANBC/ANTC fee | ₦25,500 per candidate |
| Registration portal | novdec.nabteb.gov.ng |
| Source | Official NABTEB timetable and Entry Guide, checked September 29, 2026 |
How the NABTEB GCE Timetable Is Arranged
The 2026 schedule runs in three stages.
- 2 to 14 November: Practical and alternative-to-practical papers (Paper II) for trades and for science subjects such as Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
- 23 to 28 November: Theory papers (Paper I) for technical and business trades, plus Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Literature in English Paper I.
- 30 November to 5 December: Core subjects, including Economics, Mathematics, English Language, Government, Civic Education and the religious studies papers.
Morning papers start at 9:00am. Candidates must arrive at least 30 minutes before the paper begins, and nobody is admitted more than 30 minutes after it starts.
NABTEB GCE Timetable 2026: General Subjects
| Subject | Paper | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | Paper II (Alternative to Practical) | Tuesday 10 November | 9:00am – 11:00am |
| Chemistry | Paper II (Alternative to Practical) | Wednesday 11 November | 9:00am – 11:00am |
| Geography | Paper II (Physical & Practical) | Wednesday 11 November | 12:00noon – 2:00pm |
| Animal Science | Paper II (Alternative to Practical) | Wednesday 11 November | 3:00pm – 5:00pm |
| Physics | Paper II (Alternative to Practical) | Friday 13 November | 3:00pm – 5:45pm |
| Agricultural Science | Paper II (Practical) | Saturday 14 November | 9:00am – 11:00am |
| Biology | Paper I (Objective & Essay) | Tuesday 24 November | 9:00am – 11:20am |
| Literature in English | Paper I (Objective & Prose) | Tuesday 24 November | 12:30pm – 2:30pm |
| Animal Science | Paper I (Objective & Essay) | Wednesday 25 November | 1:00pm – 3:30pm |
| Chemistry | Paper I (Objective & Essay) | Thursday 26 November | 9:00am – 11:30am |
| Physics | Paper I (Objective & Essay) | Friday 27 November | 3:00pm – 5:45pm |
| Economics | Objective & Essay | Monday 30 November | 10:30am – 1:50pm |
| Agricultural Science | Paper I (Objective & Essay) | Monday 30 November | 2:30pm – 5:00pm |
| Mathematics | Paper I (Objective) then Paper II (Essay) | Tuesday 1 December | 9:00am – 10:30am, then 10:30am – 1:00pm |
| ICT | Paper I (Objective & Essay) | Tuesday 1 December | 2:00pm – 4:40pm |
| English Language | Paper I (Objective/Test of Orals) then Paper II (Essay, Comprehension & Summary) | Wednesday 2 December | 9:00am – 10:40am, then 10:40am – 1:10pm |
| Government | Objective & Essay | Thursday 3 December | 9:00am – 12:00noon |
| Further Mathematics | Paper I (Objective) then Paper II (Essay) | Thursday 3 December | 12:00noon – 1:45pm, then 1:45pm – 4:15pm |
| Civic Education | Objective & Essay | Friday 4 December | 9:00am – 11:30am |
| Christian Religious Studies | Objective & Essay | Friday 4 December | 3:00pm – 5:30pm |
| Islamic Studies | Objective & Essay | Friday 4 December | 3:00pm – 5:30pm |
| Geography | Paper I (Objective & Essay) | Saturday 5 December | 9:00am – 12:00noon |
| Literature in English | Paper II (Drama & Poetry) | Saturday 5 December | 1:30pm – 3:30pm |
ICT Paper II (Practical) holds on Thursday 5 November, 9:00am – 12:00noon.
Technical and Workshop Subjects (General)
| Subject | Paper | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building/Engineering Drawing | Paper II (Practical) | Thursday 5 November | 1:00pm – 4:00pm |
| General Wood Work | Paper II (Practical) | Thursday 12 November | 9:00am – 1:00pm |
| Basic Electricity | Paper II (Practical) | Friday 13 November | 9:00am – 12:00noon |
| General Metal Work | Paper II (Practical) | Saturday 14 November | 11:00am – 5:00pm |
| Introduction to Building Construction (for Carpentry & Joinery, Painting & Decorating, Plumbing, Bricklaying and Draughtsmanship candidates) | Objective & Essay | Monday 23 November | 12:00noon – 2:20pm |
| Engineering Drawing and Design (Advanced) | Short Structured & Essay | Tuesday 24 November | 9:00am – 1:00pm |
| General Wood Work | Paper I (Objective & Essay) | Friday 27 November | 9:00am – 11:40am |
| Basic Electricity | Paper I (Objective & Essay) | Saturday 28 November | 1:00pm – 3:40pm |
| Advanced Building Drawing | Short Structured & Essay | Monday 30 November | 1:00pm – 5:00pm |
| General Metal Work | Paper I (Objective & Essay) | Wednesday 2 December | 2:00pm – 4:40pm |
| Building Science | Short Structured & Essay | Friday 4 December | 9:00am – 12:00noon |
| Business/Construction Management (Advanced) | Short Structured & Essay | Saturday 5 December | 9:00am – 12:00noon |
| Building/Engineering Drawing | Paper I (Objective) | Saturday 5 December | 12:30pm – 1:10pm |
Advanced Mathematics holds on Tuesday 1 December (9:00am – 12:00noon), Advanced English Language on Wednesday 2 December (9:00am – 12:00noon) and Advanced Economics on Monday 30 November (10:30am – 1:30pm).
Business and Secretarial Subjects
| Subject | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Shorthand (140 W.P.M.) | Friday 6 November | 3:00pm – 5:00pm |
| Shorthand (80 W.P.M.) | Saturday 7 November | 9:00am – 10:40am |
| Advanced Shorthand (120 W.P.M.) | Wednesday 11 November | 9:00am – 11:00am |
| Typewriting (35 W.P.M.) | Thursday 12 November | 9:00am – 11:40am |
| Advanced Typewriting (50 or 60 W.P.M., take either) | Friday 13 November | 9:00am – 12:00noon |
| Commerce | Monday 23 November | 12:00noon – 3:20pm |
| Advanced Commerce | Monday 23 November | 12:00noon – 3:30pm |
| Financial Accounting | Wednesday 25 November | 9:00am – 12:30pm |
| Advanced Financial Accounting | Wednesday 25 November | 9:00am – 12:30pm |
| Salesmanship | Thursday 26 November | 12:00noon – 3:20pm |
| Advanced Salesmanship | Thursday 26 November | 1:00pm – 4:30pm |
| Tourism | Saturday 28 November | 9:00am – 11:40am |
| Advanced Tourism | Saturday 28 November | 9:00am – 12:30pm |
| Office Practice | Saturday 28 November | 9:00am – 12:20pm |
| Advanced Secretarial Duties | Saturday 28 November | 9:00am – 12:30pm |
| Office Management | Saturday 28 November | 9:00am – 12:30pm |
Trade Practical Papers (Paper II): 2 to 14 November
Practical papers hold at approved centres. Candidates must bring their own tools, and centres share the cutting list for materials. Papers marked “to be arranged” run for 15 to 30 hours, and your centre will communicate the schedule.
| Date | Time | Trades |
|---|---|---|
| Monday 2 November | 12:00noon – 3:00pm | Advanced Photographic Practice |
| Monday 2 November | 12:00noon – 4:00pm | Ceramics (Ceramics and Design) |
| Monday 2 November | To be arranged (20 hrs) | Advanced Mechanical Engineering Craft Practice |
| Tuesday 3 November | 9:00am – 3:00pm | Advanced Footwear Manufacture, Weaving, Leather Tanning, Surface Design & Textile Printing, Bleaching Dyeing & Finishing, Painting and Decorating |
| Tuesday 3 November | 9:00am – 4:00pm | Catering Craft Practice |
| Wednesday 4 November | 9:00am – 12:00noon | Photographic Practice |
| Wednesday 4 November | To be arranged | Mechanical Engineering Craft Practice (20 hrs), Foundry Craft Practice (15 hrs), Fabrication and Welding (30 hrs), Advanced Surface Design & Printing of Textile (18 hrs) |
| Thursday 5 November | 9:00am – 3:00pm | Advanced Machine Wood Working, Advanced Painting and Decorating, Advanced Plumbing and Pipe Fitting, Advanced Ladies Garment Making |
| Thursday 5 November | 9:00am – 3:30pm | Advanced Bricklaying/Blocklaying and Concreting |
| Thursday 5 November | 9:00am – 4:00pm | Advanced Catering Craft Practice, Advanced Printing Craft |
| Thursday 5 November | To be arranged | Advanced Foundry Craft Practice (20 hrs), Advanced Furniture Making (18 hrs) |
| Friday 6 November | 9:00am – 12:00noon | Computer Craft Studies |
| Saturday 7 November | 9:00am – 12:00noon | Ship Building Craft Practice, Appliance Maintenance and Repairs (Domestic and Office Machines) |
| Saturday 7 November | 9:00am – 1:00pm | Machine Wood Working |
| Saturday 7 November | 9:00am – 3:00pm | Ladies Garment Making, Men’s Garment Making, Plumbing and Pipe Fitting, Cosmetology, Carpentry and Joinery, Leather Goods Manufacture, Advanced Leather Goods Manufacture, Spinning |
| Saturday 7 November | 9:00am – 3:30pm | Bricklaying, Blocklaying and Concreting; Furniture Making |
| Saturday 7 November | 9:00am – 4:00pm | Graphic Design (Graphic Arts) |
| Saturday 7 November | To be arranged | Advanced Fabric Production (18 hrs) |
| Monday 9 November | 12:00noon – 2:30pm | Animal Husbandry |
| Monday 9 November | 12:00noon – 3:00pm | Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Works, Auto Electrical Works, Agricultural Equipment and Mechanics Works, Instrument Mechanics Works, Appliance Maintenance and Repairs (Electrical/Medical), Electrical Installation and Maintenance Works, Electronics Works, Marine Engineering Craft, Draughtsmanship Craft Practice, Fisheries, Motor Vehicle Mechanics Works, Advanced Electrical Installation and Maintenance, Advanced Electronics Works, Advanced Fisheries |
| Monday 9 November | 12:00noon – 3:30pm | Advanced Agricultural Equipment and Implement Mechanics Works |
| Tuesday 10 November | 9:00am – 12:00noon | Advanced Marine Engineering Craft, Advanced Computer Craft Studies |
| Tuesday 10 November | 9:00am – 3:00pm | Advanced Men’s Garment Making |
| Wednesday 11 November | 9:00am – 1:00pm | Advanced Ceramics and Design, Advanced Motor Vehicle Mechanic Works, Advanced Fabrication and Welding |
| Wednesday 11 November | 9:00am – 3:00pm | Advanced Leather Tanning, Advanced Yarn Production, Advanced Graphic Design |
| Thursday 12 November | 9:00am – 12:00noon | Agricultural Equipment and Implement Mechanics Works (Tractor System), Advanced Animal Husbandry |
| Thursday 12 November | 9:00am – 1:00pm | Vehicle Body Building, Light Vehicle Body Repair Works |
| Thursday 12 November | 9:00am – 3:00pm | Advanced Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Works, Advanced Vehicle Body Building, Footwear Manufacture, Printing Craft Practice |
| Thursday 12 November | 9:00am – 4:00pm | Advanced Carpentry and Joinery |
| Friday 13 November | 9:00am – 11:30am | Advanced Mechanical Engineering Science (Paper II, for candidates in trade codes 01A, 02A, 05A, 06A, 08A, 09A, 13A, 24A and 37A) |
Trade Theory Papers (Paper I): 23 to 28 November
| Date | Start time | Trades |
|---|---|---|
| Monday 23 November | 12:00noon | Motor Vehicle Mechanics Works, Advanced Motor Vehicle Mechanics Works, Automobile Electrical Works, Furniture Making, Advanced Furniture Making, Cosmetology, Light Vehicle Body Repair Works, Foundry Craft Practice, Advanced Foundry Craft Practice, Ladies Garment Making, Advanced Ladies Garment Making, Appliance Maintenance and Repairs (Domestic and Office Machines), Machine Wood Working, Advanced Machine Wood Working |
| Tuesday 24 November | 3:00pm – 5:40pm | Appliance Maintenance and Repairs (Electrical/Medical), Electronics Works, Vehicle Body Building, Advanced Vehicle Body Building, Ship Building Craft Practice, Bleaching Dyeing & Finishing |
| Wednesday 25 November | 9:00am | Catering Craft Practice, Advanced Catering Craft Practice, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Works, Advanced Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning, Instrument Mechanics Works, Advanced Electronics Works, Computer Craft Studies, Advanced Computer Craft Studies, Agricultural Equipment and Implement Mechanics Works, Advanced Agricultural Equipment and Implement Mechanic Works, Fabrication and Welding, Advanced Fabrication and Welding, Electrical Installation and Maintenance Works, Advanced Electrical Installation and Maintenance |
| Thursday 26 November | 9:00am – 11:30am | Mechanical Engineering Science (Advanced trade codes 01A, 02A, 05A, 06A, 08A, 09A, 13A, 24A, 37A) |
| Thursday 26 November | 12:00noon | Photographic Practice, Draughtsmanship Craft Practice, Bricklaying/Blocklaying and Concreting, Leather Tanning, Carpentry and Joinery, Painting and Decorating, Weaving, Men’s Garment Making, Agricultural Equipment (Tractor Components & Systems, 12:00noon – 3:10pm) |
| Thursday 26 November | 1:00pm | Advanced Photographic Practice, Advanced Draughtsmanship Craft Practice, Advanced Bricklaying/Blocklaying and Concreting, Advanced Leather Tanning, Advanced Carpentry and Joinery, Advanced Painting and Decorating, Advanced Fabric Production, Advanced Men’s Garment Making |
| Friday 27 November | 9:00am | Plumbing and Pipe Fitting, Advanced Plumbing and Pipe Fitting, Spinning, Advanced Yarn Production, Footwear Manufacture, Advanced Footwear Manufacture, Printing Craft Practice, Advanced Printing Craft Practice, Marine Engineering Craft, Advanced Marine Engineering Craft |
| Saturday 28 November | 9:00am | Mechanical Engineering Craft Practice, Advanced Mechanical Engineering Craft Practice, Leather Goods Manufacture, Advanced Leather Goods Manufacture, Surface Design & Textile Printing, Advanced Surface Design and Printing of Textile, Graphic Arts, Advanced Graphic Design, Animal Husbandry, Advanced Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, Advanced Fisheries, Ceramics, Advanced Ceramics and Design |
How to Check Your Own Timetable
- Go to novdec.nabteb.gov.ng.
- Open the General Exam Timetable link under Official Examination Guides & Downloads.
- Search the PDF for your trade or subject name, or your trade code.
- Note both the Paper I and Paper II dates, since many subjects have papers weeks apart.
- Confirm the details with your centre, because the board says changes will be communicated through the mass media and centres.
The board advises candidates to check their centre or the NABTEB website for updates at least three days before the exams begin.
NABTEB GCE Registration 2026
The 2026 Nov/Dec registration portal is open at novdec.nabteb.gov.ng for NTC, NBC, ANTC and ANBC candidates. To register:
- Buy a registration PIN (scratch card) from a NABTEB zonal, area, state or national office. Each card registers exactly one candidate.
- Open the portal, click Register Candidate, and enter the card serial number and PIN.
- Fill in your personal details, trade and subjects, and upload your passport photograph.
- Print your photocard and admission notice.
| Certificate | Fee |
|---|---|
| NBC/NTC | ₦22,500 |
| ANBC/ANTC | ₦25,500 |
The fee covers the examination and result checking. Your passport photograph must be coloured with a red background, sized 2cm x 1.5cm, and webcam photos are not allowed. You can edit your registration a maximum of three times. Bio-data entries cannot be changed after registration. The entry guide does not state a closing date, so register early.
Rules Every Candidate Should Know
- Bring your printed admission notice to every paper.
- Bring your own pen, pencil, eraser, ruler and mathematical set. Drawing candidates must bring their own drawing board, T-square and instruments.
- A simple, non-programmable, noiseless, cordless calculator is allowed.
- Phones and other electronic gadgets are not allowed in the hall.
- No candidate may leave until 30 minutes to full time for an essay paper or 10 minutes to full time for an objective paper, except on confirmed health grounds.
- Practical candidates should visit their centre at least one week before the exams to arrange materials.
- Examination malpractice is punishable under the Examination Malpractice Act No. 33 of 1999.
Frequently Asked Questions: NABTEB GCE Timetable 2026
When does the NABTEB GCE 2026 start?
The 2026 Nov/Dec NABTEB examinations start on Monday, 2 November 2026 with practical papers. Theory papers begin on Monday, 23 November.
When does the NABTEB GCE 2026 end?
The last paper holds on Saturday, 5 December 2026. Literature in English Paper II (Drama & Poetry) is scheduled for 1:30pm – 3:30pm that day.
What time do NABTEB exams start?
Morning papers generally begin at 9:00am. Afternoon papers start at times such as 12:00noon, 1:00pm, 2:00pm or 3:00pm depending on the subject, so check your specific paper on the timetable.
When is NABTEB English Language and Mathematics for 2026?
Mathematics holds on Tuesday, 1 December (Paper I 9:00am – 10:30am, Paper II 10:30am – 1:00pm). English Language holds on Wednesday, 2 December (Paper I 9:00am – 10:40am, Paper II 10:40am – 1:10pm).
How much is the NABTEB GCE registration fee for 2026?
NBC/NTC registration is ₦22,500 per candidate, and ANBC/ANTC registration is ₦25,500 per candidate. The fee covers the examination and result checking.
Where can I download the NABTEB GCE timetable PDF?
Download it from the official portal at novdec.nabteb.gov.ng under the General Exam Timetable link. The direct file is novdec.nabteb.gov.ng/docs/timetable.pdf.
Is NABTEB GCE the same as NABTEB Nov/Dec?
Yes. The Nov/Dec series for private candidates is widely called the NABTEB GCE. Officially, the certificates are the NBC, NTC, ANBC and ANTC.
Can I use NABTEB results for university admission?
Yes. NABTEB O’Level results are accepted alongside WAEC and NECO by most institutions, but always confirm each school’s requirements. See our Post UTME forms hub for school-by-school requirements.
Can I change my subjects after registering?
Yes, but only three changes to trades or subjects are allowed after registration. No change is allowed for bio-data entries such as name and date of birth.
Who do I contact if I have a problem?
Email support@nabteb.gov.ng or call +234 800 622 8320. The headquarters is at Ikpoba Hill, PMB 1747, Benin City, Edo State.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 NABTEB GCE runs from 2 November to 5 December 2026, with practicals first and core theory papers last. Confirm your exact paper dates on the official PDF, register early, and prepare your tools and materials well before your practical.
Planning your next step after the exams? Browse our Post UTME forms hub and the FUTO cut-off mark page to see how O’Level results are used in admissions. If anything is unclear, drop your question in the comments and we will respond.
Source: Dates, times, fees and rules in this article come from the official NABTEB 2026 Nov/Dec timetable and Entry Guide on novdec.nabteb.gov.ng, checked on September 29, 2026. This page will be updated if the board announces changes. If you notice a difference between our figures and the official timetable, alert us in the comments.
Disclaimer: Examination schedules are subject to change by NABTEB. Always verify on the official portal and with your centre before the exam. CampusNinja is not affiliated with NABTEB.