Post-UTME exam-day guide
Post-UTME · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
JAMB UTME registration number / profile printout
Post-UTME screening is tied to your JAMB profile for the current admission year. Bring the JAMB result slip and the registration/profile printout showing your UTME number. Confirm with the provider whether a photocopy is acceptable or whether the original slip must be presented.
Post-UTME screening acknowledgement / registration slip
Most institutions require proof you registered and paid for the screening on their portal. Print the acknowledgement or application slip and keep it with your JAMB documents. If the provider issues no slip, confirm with the provider what proof of registration to bring.
O'Level result(s) or statement of result
Bring originals plus photocopies of your WAEC/NECO/NABTEB results or statements of result. Some schools only verify these at screening; confirm with the provider whether originals are required on the exam day or only at document verification.
Recent passport photographs
Carry several copies (commonly around four to six) in the size the portal used. Confirm with the provider the exact number and background colour required.
Valid means of identification
A national ID card, driver's licence, voter's card, or international passport may be accepted. Rules vary by institution, so confirm with the provider which IDs are accepted and whether a school ID alone is sufficient.
Exam-day notification showing venue, date, and time
Your screening schedule, batch, and CBT centre details usually come through the portal or SMS/email. Print or screenshot it and check the venue the day before. If you have not received a schedule, contact the provider's admissions office promptly.
Writing materials if permitted
Some CBT centres supply paper and pencil; others allow only a pen for signing the attendance sheet. Confirm with the provider what you may carry in, since phones and most personal items are usually prohibited.
Arrival well before your scheduled time
Accreditation and biometric checks take time. Many centres expect candidates at least an hour early; confirm with the provider the reporting time for your batch.
Transport and route planned in advance
Know the exact CBT centre location and a backup route. Arriving late can mean losing your slot, and policies on late entry vary, so confirm with the provider how lateness is handled.
Knowledge of the test format and subjects
Post-UTME tests commonly cover English and your UTME subject combination, often in a CBT format with a fixed number of questions and a time limit. Confirm with the provider the exact subjects, number of questions, and duration for your course.
Payment receipt for the screening fee
Keep the portal or bank receipt for the screening fee in case of queries at accreditation. Confirm with the provider the accepted payment channels and whether a printed receipt is needed.
Personal medication and essential needs
If you need medication or have a health condition, carry what you need and inform centre staff on arrival. Confirm with the provider in advance about any special arrangements for candidates with disabilities or medical needs.
Plan the day
Re-read the official screening notice from your institution's portal and note the exact venue, date, batch time, and reporting time. Print every document you may need (JAMB slip, screening slip, O'Level results, ID, photographs) and make a second set of photocopies. Check that the name, date of birth, and course on your JAMB profile match your screening application; mismatches are a common cause of problems, so contact the admissions office immediately if you spot one. Do a timed practice run of the test format: answer a set of English and subject-combination questions under the stated time limit to get used to the CBT screen and clock. Plan your transport route and, if the centre is far, arrange accommodation nearby. Sleep on a normal schedule rather than cramming overnight.
Pack your documents folder, photographs, pen if allowed, and any permitted items the night before. Confirm your transport and set two alarms. Visit or locate the centre if you can, so you know the gate and building. Eat normally and avoid heavy late-night study; light revision of formulas, English comprehension strategies, and your weakest topics is enough. Check the provider's portal or SMS for any change of venue or time. Charge your phone for the journey but plan to hand it in or leave it outside the hall, since phones are usually banned during the test.
Eat a proper breakfast and carry water for the journey. Leave earlier than your planned travel time to absorb traffic and queueing. Arrive at the centre with your documents folder ready for accreditation and biometric verification. Follow staff instructions, keep your ID visible, and stay calm while waiting. Once seated, read the on-screen instructions, note how the timer works, and confirm the question count before you begin.
Work in passes: answer the questions you know first, flag uncertain ones, and return to them if the interface allows. Watch the clock and allocate time per question based on the total number and duration. For English, read passages for the main idea before checking the options. For calculation questions, do rough work only on materials the centre provides. If the system freezes or a question looks corrupted, raise your hand and report it to an invigilator rather than restarting anything yourself. Submit only after reviewing flagged answers, and confirm that the submission screen shows success before leaving.
Rules to check
Bring and present the identification and registration documents the institution specifies; candidates without acceptable ID may be refused entry. Confirm with the provider the exact list of accepted documents.
Phones, smartwatches, calculators, and unauthorised materials are normally prohibited in the CBT hall. Confirm with the provider whether any device or aid is permitted for your test.
Follow all invigilation instructions, including seating, biometric capture, and silence during the test. Any attempt to communicate with other candidates or to use unauthorised material may lead to disqualification.
Do not share or photograph test content. Post-UTME questions are confidential, and sharing them can void your result and affect your admission.
Breaks are usually not permitted during a timed CBT session, so use the toilet before entering the hall. Confirm with the provider whether any break is allowed.
Scoring and cut-off decisions are made by the institution, often combining screening performance with UTME and O'Level results. Confirm with the provider how the final screening score is computed and published.
If you have a disability or medical need, request any accommodation from the admissions office before the test date; arrangements are rarely possible on the day itself.
Keep your documents and receipts until admission is finalised, since verification of results and identity may be repeated before matriculation.