JAMB 2026: Registration Windows, Exam Dates, and New Age Guidelines

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially set the machinery in motion for the 2026/2027 academic session, releasing a comprehensive schedule for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE) applications. In a detailed communique signed by the Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, and shared late Tuesday, January 13, the Board outlined a strict timeline that emphasizes early preparation and biometric compliance for millions of prospective candidates across Nigeria and in foreign centers.

Prospective UTME candidates can begin their journey on Monday, January 26, 2026, when the registration portal officially opens. The window for registration is set to remain open for five weeks, closing on Saturday, February 28, 2026. To facilitate a smoother process, JAMB announced that the vending of E-PINs—a critical step before visiting a Computer-Based Test (CBT) center—will actually commence a week earlier, on Monday, January 19, and conclude on February 26.

The examination body has scheduled the main 2026 UTME to run from Thursday, April 16, to Saturday, April 25, 2026. For those looking to test their readiness, an optional Mock-UTME has been slated for Saturday, March 28, 2026. Meanwhile, Direct Entry candidates have a different window; the sale of their application documents and E-PIN vending will kick off on Monday, March 2, 2026, and close on Saturday, April 25, 2026, exclusively through JAMB’s State and Zonal Offices.

A significant highlight of this year’s guidelines is the reaffirmed age policy. Generally, only candidates who will be at least 16 years old by September 30, 2026, are eligible for admission. However, the Board has introduced a rigorous “exceptional candidate” waiver for younger applicants. Underage candidates can only be considered if they demonstrate extraordinary academic brilliance, including a minimum score of 80 percent in the UTME (roughly 320 out of 400), as well as 80 percent in their A-Levels or SSCE, Post-UTME, and a specialized candidate assessment.

The Board also maintained its firm stance on data integrity, warning that once a candidate completes their registration using biodata from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), no further changes will be permitted. Prof. Oloyede stressed that candidates must ensure their National Identification Number (NIN) is ready and that they personally handle their registration at accredited CBT centers to avoid third-party interference. JAMB warned that any double registration or false declaration of previous matriculation details would lead to automatic disqualification.

In terms of cost, the Board revealed a tiered fee structure for the exercise. Candidates opting for the UTME with the mock exam will pay ₦8,700, while those without the mock will pay ₦7,200. Direct Entry application documents are priced at ₦5,700. These fees cover the application, the mandatory reading text, CBT center service charges, and bank commissions, ensuring a transparent and cashless transaction environment across all registration points.