JAMB CBT exam day: a step-by-step guide to the computer-based test

Most candidates spend months preparing for the content of the UTME and almost no time preparing for the experience of sitting it. Yet every year, well-prepared candidates lose marks because of avoidable problems on the day: arriving late, panicking at the login screen, wasting time with the mouse, or running out of time with questions unanswered.

This guide walks you through the JAMB computer-based test (CBT) from the night before to the moment you click Submit, so nothing on the day comes as a surprise.

The night before

Print and check your examination slip. JAMB releases examination slips shortly before the exam. Your slip shows your exam date, session time and CBT centre address. Print it, read it carefully, and keep it with your documents.

Locate your centre in advance. If you can, visit the centre a day or two before so you know exactly where it is and how long it takes to get there. Many candidates have arrived late because a centre was hidden behind another building or on an unfamiliar street.

Pack your bag the night before:

• your printed examination slip,
• your registration slip (some centres ask for it),
• a pen or pencil if you are allowed one for rough work (rules vary by centre; follow the officials' instructions), and
• water and a light snack to have before or after the exam, though you cannot take them into the hall.

Do not bring phones, smart watches, calculators, earpieces, books or any written material into the hall. Being found with prohibited items can lead to your result being withheld or cancelled.

Sleep. A tired brain works slower. A good night's sleep is worth more than three extra hours of revision at midnight.

Arrival and screening

Arrive at least an hour before your session time. Centres screen hundreds of candidates and the queues can be long. Late candidates may not be admitted.

At the centre you will be checked against JAMB's records, usually by biometric verification (fingerprint and/or facial capture). This is why JAMB requires your NIN and biometric registration. Once verified, you will be directed to a terminal (a computer) with your details.

Stay calm if verification takes a while. Officials deal with these issues every day. If there is a genuine problem, follow their instructions and keep any documentation they give you.

Logging in and the instructions screen

At your terminal you will see a login screen. Depending on the setup, you may enter your registration number or the details shown on your slip, or your profile may already be loaded after biometric verification.

Before the timer starts, read the instructions screen carefully. It confirms your four subjects. Check that they are correct. If they are not, raise your hand immediately and tell an official before you begin.

Understanding the CBT interface

The interface is simple once you have seen it:

• Subject tabs along the top let you switch between Use of English and your three other subjects at any time.
• One question appears at a time with options A, B, C and D below it.
• A question navigator (numbered buttons) shows which questions you have answered and lets you jump to any question.
• A countdown timer shows how much of your two hours is left.
• A calculator button opens a basic on-screen calculator.
• A Submit button ends your exam. Do not click it until you are finished.

Keyboard shortcuts save time

The software supports keyboard shortcuts:

Using the keyboard instead of the mouse can save several seconds per question. Over 180 questions, that adds up to minutes. Practise with shortcuts beforehand so they feel natural.

The on-screen calculator

The calculator is basic: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, square roots and similar functions. It is slower than a physical calculator because you click or type each digit. Two tips:

1. Do simple arithmetic mentally and use the calculator only when it genuinely saves time.
2. Estimate first. If you expect an answer of about 50 and the calculator says 5,000, you mistyped.

Managing your time: 180 questions in 120 minutes

That is 40 seconds per question on average. You will not spend exactly 40 seconds on each. Some take 10 seconds, some take two minutes. What matters is that slow questions don't steal the time you need for easy ones.

A strategy many high scorers use:

First pass (about 70–80 minutes): Go through each subject answering every question you can answer confidently. When a question would take too long, pick your best guess, note its number, and move on. Never leave a question blank on the first pass, in case you run out of time.

Second pass (about 30–40 minutes): Return to the questions you noted and work through them properly.

Final minutes: Use the navigator to confirm every question has an answer. There is no negative marking, so a guess can only help.

Which subject first?

There is no single right order. Common approaches:

• Start with your strongest subject to build confidence and bank time.
• Start with Use of English because it has the most questions (60) and comprehension passages need a fresh mind.

Choose one approach, practise it in your mock tests, and stick with it on the day.

Watch the clock at checkpoints

Rather than checking the timer constantly, set checkpoints. For example, after 30 minutes you might aim to have finished about 45 questions, and after 60 minutes about 90. If you are behind, speed up and guess more on hard questions.

Comprehension passages

Use of English includes reading passages. Reading a long passage on screen is tiring, so:

• Read the questions first, then read the passage looking for the answers.
• Answer from the passage, not from your general knowledge.
• Watch for "NOT" and "EXCEPT" in questions; they reverse what you are looking for.

Submitting

When you have answered everything and checked your work, click Submit and confirm. If time runs out, the system submits automatically, which is another reason to make sure every question has an answer before the final minutes.

After submission you will be logged out. Collect your belongings quietly and leave as directed.

After the exam

UTME results are released through JAMB's official channels, usually within days or a few weeks. You can check them on the JAMB portal or by SMS, using the number and format JAMB provides. Be wary of anyone offering to "upgrade" your score; that is a scam.

If you plan to sit Post-UTME, start preparing immediately. Your university's screening may only be weeks away.

Practise the CBT experience before the day

The best preparation for a timed, on-screen exam is timed, on-screen practice. On Levia, every level is a 20-question set taken on screen with a plain explanation after each question. Treat each level as a mini mock: set a timer for about 13 minutes (40 seconds × 20), answer everything, then read the explanations for anything you missed or guessed.

By exam day, answering questions on a screen against the clock will feel like something you've done hundreds of times, because you will have.