JAMB UTME 2026 Important Dates and Registration Procedures.
The Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) is an annual tertiary education entry examination in Nigeria organised and supervised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). The Board oversees all examination processes, marking and ranking of candidates, and regulates admissions into all tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
Every year, millions of young Nigerians prepare to register and sit for this important examination with the hope of being admitted into their chosen institution to pursue a degree in their dream course/programme.
As the 2026 phase of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) approaches, many prospective candidates are eager to know when registration and other UTME-related activities will commence.
In this article, we will provide important dates for the 2026 UTME Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination as approved by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to better prepare prospective candidates for the 2026 UTME.
Key Dates for 2026 JAMB UTME
Below are important dates for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTM) as approved by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
UTME Registration – January 31 – March 5, 2026
Direct Entry (DE) Registration – March 10 – April 7, 2026
Mock Exam Reprinting – April 5, 2026.
Mock Exam Date – April 10, 2026.
Main Exam Slip Reprinting – April 18, 2026.
Cost Estimate for the 2026 UTME
The estimated monetary cost for the 2026 JAMB Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) is aimed at giving prospective candidates a forecast of the amount they should budget to enable them to register successfully for the upcoming UTME examination.
Below cost breakdown for the 2026 UTME registration as well as DE registration.
UTME Registration PIN = N6,500
UTME with MOCK PIN = N7,500
Direct Entry Registration PIN = N6,500
How to Prepare for 2026 UTME Registration
The 2026 UTME registration will follow the standard registration procedures set by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for all prospective candidates.
Before proceeding with registration, all candidates must have the documents needed for their profile creation. There are as follows:
NIN: NIN stands for National Identity Number. It’s a mandatory requirement for registration by both UTME and Direct Entry candidates. Prospective candidates who do not have a NIN are advised to visit the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) or any approved NIMC office for directions on NIN registration.
Phone Number: Candidates are required to use a valid and active phone number for registration, as all important information will be sent through this number.
Email: Prospective candidates preparing for the JAMB 2026 UTME registration must have an active email address, preferably Gmail or Outlook mail. Candidates’ important registration details, such as JAMB e-Facility account password and UTME registration slip, will be sent to this email.
Pitfalls to Avoid When Registering for 2026 UTME
Making avoidable mistakes during UTME registration can make your admission journey frustrating. While preparing for the 2026 UTME registration, it is worth identifying these pitfalls so that candidates don’t ignorantly fall into them and make costly mistakes.
- Irregularities in a candidate’s name across official documents: Before registring for the 2026 UTME, verify and ensure there are no irregularites in your name accorss official documents, such as NIN and O’level results.
- Filling the Wrong Email address during registration: Ensure to cross-check your form and verify that your email address entered is correct.
Conclusion
The JAMB 2026 UTME can be any candidate’s examination, whether it’s their first time or an experienced JAMBite. It all begins with proper preparation and discipline. At xeera.ng, we guide prospective JAMB candidates like you to find success in their academic pursuits. Join our JAMB 2026 preparation WhatsApp group to get the latest education and JAMB news.
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