What to Expect on JAMB 2026 Exam Day — The Exam Hall, Biometric Process and CBT Explained

Last Updated on 1 hour ago by Haruna Ayuba

If you have never written a computer-based exam before, the next few minutes will be the most valuable thing you read before April 16. Knowing exactly what happens from the moment you arrive at the gate to the moment you click your last answer removes the fear of the unknown — and that alone can add points to your score.

Key Highlights

• The only items allowed into the 2026 UTME exam hall are an HB pencil and a copy of your JAMB exam slip
• Biometric verification is the only mode of entry — there is no manual attendance register
• JAMB has officially prohibited 23 specific items from the exam hall — candidates found with any of them will be disqualified
• Parents are not permitted to be present around the examination premises during the exam
• The 2026 UTME runs from April 16 to April 25, 2026
• Updated Session 1 arrival time is 7:00am — not 6:30am as earlier published

Stage 1 — Arriving at the Centre

Arrive before your session’s stated arrival time. Do not cut it close. Security checks, queues, and biometric processing all take time — candidates who arrive at exactly the deadline often find themselves flustered before the exam even begins.

Bring only what is allowed:

• Your printed JAMB Examination Slip — two copies
• A valid ID card (NIN slip, National ID, Driver’s Licence, or Passport)
• An HB pencil
• An eraser

Leave everything else — including your phone — at home or locked in a bag outside the centre. The only items officially allowed inside the exam hall are an HB pencil and a copy of your JAMB exam slip.

Updated Session Arrival Times

Session	Arrival Time	Start Time	End Time
Session 1	7:00am	8:30am	10:30am
Session 2	9:00am	11:00am	1:00pm
Session 3	11:00am	1:30pm	3:30pm
Session 4	2:00pm	4:00pm	6:00pm

Stage 2 — Security Check at the Gate

Before you enter the building, security officials will conduct a physical check. Any prohibited item found on you at this point means you will not be allowed in.

JAMB has rolled out strict guidelines prohibiting 23 specific items within examination halls. The prohibited items include wristwatches, pens or biros, mobile phones or similar electronic devices, spy reading glasses, calculators or similar electronic devices, USB drives, CDs, hard disks, and similar storage devices.

JAMB has warned that these items have been noted to have aided some dishonest candidates in their attempts to perpetrate examination malpractice, and the ban is to protect the sanctity of the examinations.

The full list of banned items covers:

Category	Banned Items
Electronic devices	Mobile phones, tablets, smartwatches, smart rings, calculators
Storage devices	USB drives, CDs, hard disks
Communication items	Earphones, microphones, Bluetooth devices
Writing tools	Pens, biros — only HB pencil allowed
Accessories	Wristwatches, jewellery, spy reading glasses
Others	Bags, textbooks, notes, tattoos on palms

Parents are requested to refrain from being around the examination premises, as JAMB strictly prohibits their presence during the examination.

Stage 3 — Biometric Verification

This is the step that causes the most anxiety for first-time candidates. Here is exactly what happens.

Biometric verification is the only mode for the admission of candidates into the examination centre. No candidate will be admitted without successful biometric verification. Biometric verification also serves as the attendance register — there is no separate manual register.

You will place one or two fingers on a biometric scanner. The system matches your fingerprints against the ones captured during your original JAMB registration. If there is a match, you are cleared to enter.

Only candidates whose biometric verification is successful on examination day will be permitted to sit the UTME.

What if your fingerprint fails to verify?

No candidate should be kept waiting if they cannot be verified. Such a candidate should be recaptured at the centre before leaving. Only genuine cases will subsequently be treated.

If the scanner repeatedly fails to read your fingerprint — which can happen due to dry skin, minor cuts, or worn fingerprint ridges — stay calm. Inform the centre supervisor immediately. Do not leave the premises. The centre has a process for handling this and officials are trained to manage it.

Stage 4 — Entering the Exam Hall and Sitting Down

Once verified, an official will direct you to your assigned seat. The exam hall is a room full of computer workstations. Each candidate sits at an individual computer.

Here is what you will typically find at your workstation:

• A computer screen, keyboard, and mouse
• Your exam questions loaded or ready to load on screen
• CCTV cameras monitoring the room from multiple angles
• Invigilators walking between rows throughout the exam

Candidates from the mock exam confirmed that CCTV cameras were present in the hall and multiple invigilators monitored candidates throughout the session.

Do not touch the computer until the invigilator instructs you to begin. Listen carefully to the instructions given before the exam starts — they cover how to navigate the interface, how to flag questions, and how to submit.

Stage 5 — The CBT Interface

The JAMB CBT interface is straightforward once you understand how it works. Here is what you will see on screen:

• Your name and registration number at the top
• A question displayed in the centre of the screen
• Four answer options labelled A, B, C, and D
• A timer counting down in the corner
• Navigation buttons to move between questions
• A flag button to mark questions you want to return to

You click your chosen answer. You can change it before final submission. Use the navigation panel to jump between questions — you do not have to answer them in order. Start with the subject you are most confident in to build momentum early.

Stage 6 — During the Exam

Key punishable offences during the exam include cheating, impersonation, disorderly conduct in examination centres, and obstruction of supervisors or officials. Under the Examination Malpractice Act, offenders may face imprisonment, fines, or both.

Practical rules to follow once the exam begins:

• Do not speak to any other candidate
• Do not look at another candidate’s screen
• Raise your hand if you have a technical problem — do not leave your seat
• Do not stand up or leave the hall without permission from an invigilator
• If your computer freezes or the screen goes blank, raise your hand immediately and inform the invigilator

If you manage your time well, you should have 5 to 10 minutes before the exam ends. Use this period to return to questions you flagged and attempt them calmly. Do not leave any question blank — an educated guess is better than no answer.

Stage 7 — Submitting Your Exam

When your time is up or when you choose to submit, the system will ask you to confirm. Read the confirmation prompt carefully before clicking. Once you submit, you cannot go back.

After submission, your score may appear on screen immediately. This is your raw UTME score. Take note of it or ask an invigilator to confirm it. You will also be able to check it later via the JAMB portal or by SMS.

Collect your exam slip from the hall, thank the invigilators, and leave calmly.

What Happens If There Is a Technical Problem During Your Exam

Technical issues do occur. The mock exam in March 2026 recorded system failures at several centres. Some candidates are moved to a later exam date when something went wrong at their original exam centre — for example a technical failure, a power outage, or another disruption outside their control. If JAMB officially notifies you that you have been rescheduled, your supplementary exam slip is available at a separate portal.

If a technical problem affects your exam:

• Stay calm and raise your hand
• Do not restart the computer yourself
• Ask the invigilator to document the issue in writing
• Do not leave the hall until the issue is formally recorded

Frequently Asked Questions

Will there be rough paper for calculations?

Candidates from previous UTME sessions confirmed that rough sheets for calculations were provided at the centre. However, this is managed by the centre, so do not bring your own paper.

Can I bring an eraser?

Yes. An eraser is considered part of the HB pencil set and is generally permitted. The three items allowed into the exam hall are your JAMB reprinting slip, a pencil, and an eraser.

What if I need to use the bathroom during the exam?

Raise your hand and inform the invigilator. You may be permitted to leave briefly with an escort. Do not leave your seat without permission.

Will my score show immediately after the exam?

In most cases, yes. The CBT system typically displays your score on screen as soon as you submit. You can also check it later by sending UTMERESULT to 55019 or 66019 via SMS using your registered phone number.

Are CCTV cameras recording during the exam?

Yes. CCTV cameras are present in the hall and were confirmed by candidates during the 2026 mock examination. CCTV footage, device seizure, and recorded interviews form part of the evidence used during investigations into malpractice cases.

This article was published by CampusNinja.com.ng and last updated on April 13, 2026. Share this with every 2026 UTME candidate you know — the exam starts tomorrow.

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