2027 UTME: what's confirmed so far
We update this as JAMB officially announces each detail. Last checked: 18 Sept 2026.
Confirmed / announced
- JAMB has announced a National Digital Pre-Registration App (NDPA) so candidates can prepare much of their registration from a phone before visiting an accredited CBT centre.
- First-session arrival time moves to 7:30 a.m. (from 6:30 a.m.), a change made for candidate safety.
Reported, not yet officially confirmed
- Some outlets report 2027 UTME registration may begin around 19 January 2027 — treat this as unconfirmed until JAMB publishes it officially.
Still awaiting official announcement
- The full registration window, exact fees, mock date and complete 2027 timetable — check back here or the official channels below.
JAMB official website ↗ · @JAMBHQ on X ↗
Source: JAMB weekly bulletin announcements (Sept 2026) and current admissions reporting. Last checked: 18 Sept 2026. Dates and fees change each cycle — always confirm at jamb.gov.ng before acting.
Start here — the JAMB journey
Each step links to the full guide on Belmadeng.
JAMB UTME at a glance
The JAMB UTME (Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination) is Nigeria’s national computer-based entrance exam for admission into universities, polytechnics and colleges of education. Here are the essential facts at a glance:
| Exam | Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) |
|---|---|
| Conducted by | Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), since 1978 |
| Format | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Subjects | 4 — Use of English (compulsory) + 3 matched to your course |
| Questions | 180 — 60 in Use of English, 40 in each of the other three |
| Duration | 2 hours (120 minutes) |
| Scoring | 0–400 (each subject over 100). No negative marking |
| Result validity | One admission year |
| How often | Once a year |
| Minimum age | 16 by 30 September of the exam year (waiver for exceptional under-16s) |
| Basic requirement | Valid NIN + five O’Level credits (incl. English, and Mathematics for most courses) |
| 2027 registration | Expected around January 2027 based on recent cycles — see the confirmed updates above and jamb.gov.ng |
Dates and fees are set each cycle and change year to year — always confirm the current figures on the official JAMB website before acting.
What is the JAMB UTME?
JAMB — the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board — is the government body that has coordinated entry into Nigerian tertiary institutions since 1978. The exam it sets, the UTME, is a two-hour computer-based test that nearly every candidate must sit to be considered for admission. Your UTME score (out of 400) is combined with your O’Level results and your institution’s Post-UTME screening to decide whether you are admitted. More than two million candidates sit the UTME each year, so a strong, well-prepared score is what sets you apart.
How the JAMB UTME is structured and scored
You register four subjects: Use of English is compulsory for every candidate, and the other three must match your intended course. The exam has 180 questions — 60 in Use of English and 40 in each of your other three subjects — answered in two hours. That is under a minute per question, so speed and accuracy matter as much as knowledge. Each subject is scored over 100 for a total of 400, and there is no negative marking, so you should attempt every question. The surest way to build exam speed is to rehearse in the real CBT format — try free JAMB CBT practice with instant marking and worked explanations.
JAMB UTME requirements and eligibility
To register for the UTME you need a valid National Identification Number (NIN) linked to the phone number you will use, and you must be at least 16 years old by 30 September of the exam year (exceptional younger candidates can apply under strict conditions). For admission you also need five O’Level credits — including English Language, and Mathematics for most courses — and your four UTME subjects must match your course. Confirm the exact subjects for your course with the Subject Combination Checker before you register, because the wrong combination can cost you admission even with a high score.
How to prepare for the JAMB UTME and score high
Strong scores come from preparation, not luck. Work through these free Belmadeng tools in order:
1. Confirm your subjects
Check the correct UTME combination for your course.
2. Study the syllabus
The official JAMB syllabus for all your subjects.
3. Build a study plan
A personalised, printable reading timetable.
4. Practise CBT free
Timed, exam-style questions with explanations.
5. Take a full mock
Rehearse all four subjects under real timing.
6. Daily Challenge
10 fresh questions a day to keep a streak.
Protect yourself from fraudsters with our guide to avoiding JAMB scams, and read in-depth JAMB preparation guides for exam strategy. When results are out, use the admission & CAPS guide to accept your offer safely.
JAMB 2027: frequently asked questions
What is JAMB and the UTME?
JAMB (the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board) is the body that conducts the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and coordinates admission into Nigerian universities, polytechnics and colleges of education. The UTME is a computer-based entrance exam that, together with your O'Level and Post-UTME, determines your admission.
How do I register for JAMB 2027?
Create your JAMB profile by sending NIN (space) your 11-digit NIN to 55019 or 66019, buy your JAMB e-PIN from an official channel, then complete registration and biometrics at a JAMB-accredited CBT centre, choosing your course and four subjects. See our full JAMB registration guide.
How many subjects do I take, and is English compulsory?
You take four subjects. Use of English is compulsory for every candidate, plus three others matched to your course. Use our subject combinations guide to confirm the right three for your course.
How many questions is the JAMB UTME and how long is it?
The UTME has 180 questions in total — 60 for Use of English and 40 each for your other three subjects — and lasts two hours (120 minutes). It is scored over 400. That's under a minute per question, so practise for speed with free CBT practice.
Is there negative marking in JAMB?
No. JAMB does not use negative marking, so a wrong answer simply scores zero. Always attempt every question, even when you have to make an educated guess.
How is the JAMB UTME scored?
Each of your four subjects is worth 100 marks, for a total of 400. Your score is what universities use (with your Post-UTME and O'Level) to decide admission. The national minimum to be eligible is set each year (150 for universities in the last cycle), but competitive courses need far higher — see cut-offs in our course guides.
What is the JAMB mock exam and should I take it?
The mock is an optional practice CBT held before the main UTME. It doesn't count toward your score, but it's the best way to experience the real exam environment. You opt in during registration. See our mock UTME guide.
How do I choose the right subject combination?
Use of English plus three subjects that match your intended course — choosing wrongly can cost you admission even with a good score. Check the exact combination for your course among all 620 courses in our subject combinations & cut-off guides.
How long is a JAMB result valid, and how often can I write it?
A UTME result is valid for one admission year, and the exam is held once a year. If you don't gain admission, you register again the next year (your profile code stays the same). There is no limit on how many times you can attempt the UTME across years.
How do I check my JAMB result?
Once your batch is released, text RESULT to 55019 from your registered phone number, or log in to the JAMB e-Facility portal. If your result isn't showing or says 'withheld', see the fixes in our problem solver.
What is JAMB CAPS and how does admission work?
CAPS (the Central Admissions Processing System) is where all admissions are offered and accepted. After your result and Post-UTME, you monitor CAPS, and you're only truly admitted when you accept your offer there. See the full walkthrough and status meanings in our admission & CAPS guide.
Can I get into university without the UTME (Direct Entry)?
Yes — Direct Entry lets candidates with an advanced qualification (A'Level, ND, HND, NCE, IJMB or JUPEB) enter at 200 level without sitting the UTME. You still register through JAMB and are processed via CAPS. See our Direct Entry guide.