Examination centres that failed to meet required standards during the 2026 Mock Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination face delisting, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has warned, as it acknowledged technical failures that disrupted the exercise conducted on Saturday, March 28, 2026.
In a bulletin released on Monday, JAMB spokesperson Fabian Benjamin confirmed that a number of centres experienced technical failures during the mock examination, stressing that the exercise remained an important tool for assessing the board’s preparedness ahead of the main UTME, scheduled to commence on April 16, 2026. “While the exercise was largely successful, a few centres experienced technical failures. This underscores the importance of the mock examination, which allows candidates to familiarise themselves with the Computer Based Test environment and enables the Board to assess its level of preparedness,” the statement noted.
Reports emerged of significant disruptions at several centres across the country, with thousands of candidates stranded due to server failures, power outages and delayed start times. At Quiblaminds Comprehensive CBT Centre in Abule Egba, Lagos, one candidate attempted only four questions before the server crashed, forcing the centre to send students home around 3 p.m. The candidate described the ordeal as “stressful and frustrating,” prompting parents to question the examination’s credibility and call for accountability.
Social media users equally condemned the situation, describing it as “intolerable” and a “mockery of a mock exam,” and drawing attention to repeated administrative failures and poor coordination across centres.
JAMB explained that the 2026 mock exercise featured two sessions, a primary mock examination and a second session designed to provide candidates with additional hands on practice. The board urged candidates to leverage the experience gained to navigate the main UTME.
“With the exercise now concluded, the Board will undertake a comprehensive review to evaluate its effectiveness, address identified gaps, and take necessary action, including the delisting of centres that failed to meet the required standards,” the bulletin stated.
JAMB also reminded candidates that absence from the mock UTME after indicating interest would attract sanctions.
Last Updated on March 31, 2026 by Ola Funmilayo
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