The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released a six-point preparation checklist for candidates planning to sit the 2027 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). The examination body wants prospective candidates to organise their personal information, settle their course choices and confirm their subject combinations before registration begins.
The advice is aimed at helping candidates avoid mistakes that could affect their registration and admission prospects.
In a video shared on its official platforms on Monday, November 9, 2026, JAMB highlighted six important things candidates should put in place ahead of the examination.
Here are the six things prospective candidates should do before registering for the 2027 UTME.
1. Check your NIN details before registration
JAMB advised candidates to verify their personal information with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) before beginning registration.
This includes checking their names, date of birth and other biodata to ensure the information is correct.
Candidates should resolve any errors with NIMC before using their National Identification Number (NIN) for JAMB registration.
Incorrect personal details can create verification problems and complications during admission processing.
2. Get a registered phone number
Candidates should also prepare a registered phone number for the registration exercise.
JAMB uses candidates’ phone numbers for important registration activities and communication.
Prospective candidates should ensure that they have access to the number and can receive messages on it.
They should also avoid using another person’s phone number because their registration details are linked to their personal information.
3. Provide an active email address
An accessible email address is another requirement highlighted by JAMB.
Candidates should ensure that they have an active email account whose password they remember.
They should also confirm that they can receive and access messages sent to the account.
This is important because candidates may need their email addresses to receive registration information and other admission-related updates.
4. Decide on your preferred course
JAMB also advised candidates to settle on the course they intend to study before registration.
Rather than selecting a programme without understanding its requirements, candidates should research their preferred courses and determine whether they meet the necessary admission conditions.
For example, a candidate interested in studying Medicine should understand the required O’level credits and UTME subjects before making a choice.
Candidates who are uncertain about their preferred courses should research available programmes and consider their academic strengths before registering.
5. Choose your preferred institution
The examination body also wants candidates to decide on the institution they intend to attend.
Candidates should research universities, polytechnics and colleges offering their preferred programmes.
They should also check the admission requirements of their chosen institutions, including O’level requirements and other conditions that may affect their eligibility.
Making this decision early can help candidates avoid selecting institutions or programmes that do not match their qualifications.
6. Select the correct UTME subject combination
One of the most important things candidates must confirm is their UTME subject combination.
JAMB warned candidates to ensure that the subjects they select match the requirements of their preferred courses.
Choosing an incorrect combination could affect a candidate’s admission eligibility, even if they obtain a high UTME score.
Prospective candidates can use JAMB’s Integrated Brochure and Syllabus System (IBASS) to check the approved subject combinations and admission requirements for their preferred programmes.
The platform is available at https://ibass.jamb.gov.ng.
Has JAMB announced the 2027 UTME registration date?
JAMB’s six-point checklist is a preparation advisory and does not mean that registration has commenced.
The examination body has urged prospective candidates to follow its official communication channels for updates concerning the 2027 exercise.
Meanwhile, a proposed examination timetable published by the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation lists March 15 to 25, 2027, for the 2027 UTME.
However, the dates are proposed and should not be treated as JAMB’s final confirmed examination schedule.
Candidates are therefore advised to prepare early, organise their registration details and follow official announcements to avoid missing important deadlines.