The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released a comprehensive list of banned items and penalties ahead of the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) scheduled to begin on April 16.
JAMB said the measures were aimed at maintaining the integrity of the examination and preventing malpractice across accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres nationwide.
According to the board, candidates found in possession of prohibited items such as mobile phones, wristwatches, calculators, USB devices, cameras, earpieces and other electronic gadgets risk cancellation of results and possible prosecution.
The board also warned that impersonation, collusion with other candidates or exam officials, and possession of storage devices such as hard disks and CDs would attract cancellation of results, prosecution and possible bans from future examinations.
JAMB further listed lateness to the examination hall as an offence punishable by cancellation of results, while violent or unruly behaviour could result in expulsion from the hall, prosecution and up to a three-year ban.
Other offences include copying from unauthorised materials, tampering with examination results and widespread cheating, all of which carry severe sanctions under the Examination Malpractice Act.
The board emphasised that candidates must present their examination slips and undergo strict biometric verification before being allowed into the examination halls.
It also advised candidates to arrive early at their assigned centres with only permitted items, noting that only ordinary HB pencils would be allowed inside the examination hall.
JAMB added that the 2026 UTME would hold between April 16 and April 25 across accredited CBT centres nationwide in four daily sessions, with the first session scheduled to commence at 8:30 a.m.
The board urged candidates to comply fully with the guidelines to avoid sanctions that could jeopardise their academic prospects.
