The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has admitted that technical problems affected the 2026 Mock Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, assuring candidates that steps will be taken to correct the issues before the main exam.
In a statement released on Monday, JAMB spokesperson Fabian Benjamin said the mock exercise was designed to test the board’s readiness for the main UTME scheduled for April, as well as help candidates get used to the computer-based testing system.
The exam, however, was marred by challenges in several centres, including server failures, power outages, and late commencement. Many candidates were left waiting for hours despite arriving early, leading to frustration among parents and widespread criticism online.
JAMB acknowledged that while most centres functioned properly, some experienced technical setbacks. The board noted that such issues highlight the importance of the mock exercise in identifying weaknesses and improving overall performance.
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It added that the 2026 mock test included two sessions to give candidates more practice, and centres that failed to meet required standards would be removed from future exercises.
There were also reports of disruption at a CBT centre in Abule Egba, Lagos, where candidates were unable to complete their exams due to system failure, forcing many to leave after hours of waiting.
Despite the challenges, JAMB assured affected candidates that the feedback from the exercise would guide necessary improvements ahead of the main examination, which begins on April 16, 2026. The board also reminded candidates that skipping the mock after registering for it could attract penalties.
