The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (JAMB UTME) is the gateway to university education in Nigeria. Over 2.2 million candidates sat the 2026 UTME, making it the largest examination in Nigerian history. This guide covers everything you need to know — from registration to results to the CAPS admission process.
2026 UTME Status: Examinations are currently in progress (March–April 2026) across 966 Computer-Based Testing (CBT) centres nationwide. Results are expected to be released in batches.
JAMB UTME is a standardised entrance examination conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for candidates seeking admission into Nigerian universities, polytechnics, monotechnics, and colleges of education. It was introduced in 1978 and has evolved significantly over the decades, moving fully to Computer-Based Testing (CBT) in 2014.
The examination tests candidates in four subjects — English Language (compulsory) plus three other subjects based on their chosen course of study. The maximum score is 400 (100 per subject), and the minimum cut-off marks for different institution types are set by JAMB each year.
| Activity | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Registration opens | January 2026 | Completed |
| Registration closes | February 2026 | Completed |
| Mock examination | February 2026 | Completed |
| UTME examinations | March – April 2026 | In progress |
| Results release | April – May 2026 | Ongoing |
| CAPS admission opens | May – June 2026 | Upcoming |
| Post-UTME screenings | July – September 2026 | Upcoming |
Every candidate must create a JAMB profile using a valid email address and phone number. This is done at efacility.jamb.gov.ng. The profile is permanent and linked to your National Identification Number (NIN) — you will use the same profile for all future JAMB activities including results checking and admission.
The JAMB registration PIN costs ₦5,000 and can be purchased from any accredited bank or at designated JAMB registration centres. Note that the PIN purchase and registration are done at the JAMB portal — never pay anyone claiming to register you from a private business centre unless it is an officially accredited JAMB registration centre.
Using your e-PIN, log in to the JAMB portal and complete your registration. You will select your institution of choice (first and second choice), course of study, subject combination, preferred exam centre, and upload a recent passport photograph. Double-check all details before submitting — JAMB charges a fee for any corrections after submission.
After successful registration, print your examination slip which contains your examination date, time, and CBT centre. Arrive at your centre at least 30 minutes before your scheduled time with your slip and a valid ID. First-time candidates are advised to complete the JAMB mock examination if available, as it familiarises you with the CBT format.
English Language is compulsory for all candidates. The three additional subjects depend on your intended course of study:
| Course Area | Required Subjects |
|---|---|
| Medicine / Pharmacy / Nursing | Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Maths |
| Engineering | Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry |
| Law | Literature, Government or History, any Social Science |
| Economics / Accounting / Banking | Mathematics, Economics, any Science or Social Science |
| Computer Science / IT | Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry or Economics |
| Architecture | Mathematics, Physics, Fine Art or Technical Drawing |
| Agriculture | Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Agriculture |
| Mass Communication / Journalism | Government or History, Literature, any Social Science |
Each of the four subjects carries a maximum of 100 marks, giving a total maximum score of 400. The scoring uses a standardised system that accounts for question difficulty. A score of 200 and above is generally considered a good score, while 250 and above places a candidate in a strong competitive position for most courses.
2026 Minimum Cut-Off Marks (JAMB announced):
Universities: 160 minimum · Polytechnics: 120 · Colleges of Education: 100
Note that individual universities set their own minimum scores above these JAMB minimums. Medicine and Law at top institutions typically require 250+.
JAMB results are available in two ways. First, by SMS — JAMB sends results directly to the phone number registered on your profile. Second, through the JAMB portal at efacility.jamb.gov.ng where you can log in with your registration number and check your score.
NaijaHub also provides direct links to the JAMB results portal on the JAMB Results 2026 page.
Getting a good JAMB score is only the first step. The Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) is where the actual university admission happens. After UTME results are released, universities use CAPS to offer admissions to qualified candidates. Here is how it works:
Universities upload their admission lists to CAPS based on UTME scores, Post-UTME results, and O'Level grades. Candidates log in to CAPS to accept or reject offers. You can also use CAPS to change your institution or course if you did not receive an offer from your first choice. All genuine university admissions in Nigeria must pass through CAPS — any admission offer that does not appear in your CAPS profile should be treated with extreme suspicion.
Most federal and state universities conduct their own Post-UTME screening examinations in addition to JAMB. Post-UTME may be a written test, an aptitude test, a document verification exercise, or a combination. Each university announces its own Post-UTME dates and requirements. Candidates must monitor their chosen university's official website and social media channels for Post-UTME announcements, typically from July to September 2026.
The 2026 UTME has seen reports of security concerns in some states. Candidates are advised to travel to examination centres in groups where possible, inform family members of their centre location and scheduled time, carry only what is necessary (ID, exam slip, pen), and report any suspicious activity to security personnel at the centre. The Nigerian Police has deployed officers to examination centres nationwide for the 2026 UTME.