JAMB Releases Nine Essential Rules for 2026 UTME Candidates to Prevent Disqualification
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially announced nine critical rules that all candidates must strictly observe during the registration and examination process for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). Failure to comply with these mandatory guidelines could result in immediate disqualification, potentially ending a candidate's university admission aspirations for the year.
Registration Timeline and Age Requirements
JAMB has established a specific registration window for the 2026 UTME, which will run from January 26 to February 28. Candidates who fail to complete their registration within this designated period will not be permitted to participate in the examination. Additionally, the board has reaffirmed the minimum age requirement of 16 years by September 30. Underage candidates may only have their results released after undergoing a comprehensive age waiver evaluation and must achieve a minimum score of 80 percent across all required assessments.
Mandatory Disclosure and Verification Procedures
Candidates are required to fully disclose any previous JAMB registration or admission history. Failure to provide this information constitutes a serious offence and will lead to disqualification, as running multiple undergraduate programmes concurrently is strictly prohibited. Furthermore, all candidates must undergo biometric verification both before and after the examination to prevent impersonation and identity fraud. Fingerprint authentication is also mandatory before entry into the examination hall, and candidates whose fingerprints cannot be verified will not be allowed to sit for the examination.
Examination Day Protocols and Anti-Malpractice Measures
On the day of the examination, candidates are expected to arrive at their designated centres well before the scheduled commencement time. Late arrival may result in denial of entry. Once inside, candidates must listen to and follow all instructions given by invigilators, as disregarding these directives could lead to disciplinary action. JAMB maintains a zero-tolerance policy for examination malpractice, and candidates caught copying or communicating with others during the examination will face immediate disqualification.
Final Verification Steps
Before the examination, candidates must carefully verify the accuracy of their personal information, including names and dates of birth. They are also required to bring a printed examination slip to the Computer-Based Test (CBT) centre on the day of the examination. These final verification steps are crucial to ensuring a smooth and compliant examination process.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, emphasized the importance of these rules during the announcement in Lagos, urging all prospective candidates to study the examination guidelines thoroughly before registering. He noted that understanding and adhering to these regulations remains the most effective way to avoid sanctions and secure a successful examination experience.
