Several candidates scheduled for the 7:00 am batch of the 2020 UTME at the Global Distance Learning Programme Institute (opposite the Ministry of Finance, Central Business District, Abuja) were barred from entering the examination hall after arriving late, sparking protests and tears from the affected candidates and their parents.
Why the Candidates Arrived Late: Exam Town vs. CBT Centre Address
Speaking with journalists, the affected candidates explained that they left home as early as 4:00 am and travelled to Suleja and Madalla in Niger State because those locations appeared under "Examination Town" on their slips, before realising their actual CBT centre was in Central Area, Abuja.
Responding to the incident, JAMB's Head of Media, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, clarified the difference between an Examination Town and an Examination Centre:
- Examination Town Is Only a Broad Zone: The Examination Town printed on the slip simply indicates the broader geographical grouping used during registration.
- Follow the Specific CBT Centre Address: Candidates must always go to the specific CBT centre name and street address printed on their examination slip.
- No Rescheduling for Latecomers: Dr. Benjamin stressed that JAMB does not condone lateness and cannot reschedule candidates who miss their batch because each candidate's individualized questions automatically return to the central server once their session closes.
If you are yet to write your exam, make sure you locate your exact CBT centre address a day before your exam, and keep revising on the Mentra JAMB CBT app, available on both Android and iOS.
Published by Mentra Academic Research
Every study guide, syllabus analysis, and timing breakdown is cross-checked against official examination criteria (JAMB UTME, POST-UTME, and WAEC) by subject matter specialists.
