As candidates prepare for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) scheduled from Thursday, April 16, 2026, to Saturday, April 25, 2026, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued strict guidelines to ensure the integrity of the examination.
JAMB stated that all candidates must adhere strictly to the rules, warning that any violation may lead to cancellation of results and possible prosecution under the Examination Malpractice Act.
The board outlined a series of examination misconduct codes, along with their corresponding penalties:
Examination Misconduct Codes and Penalties
- Code A: No e-registration or examination slip
- Penalty: Cancellation of result
- Code B: Possession of calculator or similar electronic devices
- Penalty: Cancellation of result and prosecution
- Code C: Spying
- Penalty: Cancellation of result
- Code D: Impersonation
- Penalty: Cancellation of result, 2-year ban, and prosecution
- Code E: Swapping examination details/documents
- Penalty: Cancellation of result
- Code F: Possession of USB, CD, hard disk, or similar devices
- Penalty: Cancellation of result and prosecution
- Code G: Violent or unruly behaviour
- Penalty: Cancellation of result, expulsion, prosecution, and 3-year ban
- Code H: Lateness to examination hall
- Penalty: Cancellation of result
- Code I: Possession of wristwatch
- Penalty: Cancellation of result and prosecution
- Code J: Possession of mobile phones or similar devices
- Penalty: Cancellation of result and prosecution
- Code K: Collusion with candidates or exam officials
- Penalty: Cancellation of result, 3-year ban, and prosecution
- Code L: Entering or leaving examination hall without permission
- Penalty: Cancellation of result
- Code M: Widespread or mass cheating
- Penalty: Cancellation of result and prosecution
- Code N: Copying from unauthorized materials
- Penalty: Cancellation of result and prosecution
- Code P: Tampering with or falsifying results
- Penalty: Cancellation of result, 3-year ban, and prosecution
JAMB also reiterated that several items are strictly prohibited in examination centres. These include wristwatches, mobile phones, calculators, USB drives, CDs, books, cameras, recorders, earpieces, smart devices, jewellery such as rings and necklaces, wallets, bags, and any other electronic or unauthorised materials.
Candidates are only permitted to enter the examination hall with an HB pencil, while all bags and personal belongings are banned. The board also emphasized strict biometric verification and screening procedures at all CBT centres nationwide.
The UTME will be conducted in multiple daily sessions, with the first session scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. across accredited centres in the country.
