UTME 2026 Guidelines: Exam Codes Explained, Penalties, Prohibited Items – A MUST READ for JAMB Candidates

With less than 24 hours till the start of the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) on Thursday, April 16, 2026, and Saturday, April 25, 2026, a list of dos and don’ts has surfaced, WITHIN NIGERIA learned.

While releasing a list of severe regulations to safeguard the integrity of the examination, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) warned candidates to strictly comply with these standards, as failure to do so could result in cancellation and/or penalty.

However, on the JAMB website, WITHIN NIGERIA discovered a list of dos and don’ts, as well as penalties, for the UTME, which is set to begin on Thursday, April 16.

The JAMB website featured a list of examination misconduct codes, represented with alphabets, descriptions and penalties.

Here are the examination misconduct codes:

Code A: No e-registration slip/examination slip. Penalty: Cancellation of result.

Code B: Possession of calculator or similar electronic devices in the examination hall.

Penalty: Cancellation of result and prosecution.

Code C: Spying.

Penalty: Cancellation of result.

Code D: Impersonation.

Penalty: Cancellation of result, 2-year ban and prosecution of the candidate.

Code E: Swapping examination details/documents.

Penalty: Cancellation of result.

Code F: Possession of USB, CD, hard disk or similar storage devices.

Penalty: Cancellation of result and prosecution.

Code G: Violent/unruly behaviour to examiners.

Penalty: Cancellation of result, expulsion from the examination hall, prosecution and 3-year ban.

Code H: Lateness to the examination hall.

Penalty: Cancellation of result.

Code I: Possession of wristwatch.

Penalty: Cancellation of result and prosecution.

Code J: Possession of mobile phone or similar electronic devices.

Penalty: Cancellation of result and prosecution.

Code K: Colluding with other candidates/examiners/external agents.

Penalty: Cancellation of result, 3-year ban and prosecution.

Code L: Entering/leaving the examination hall without permission.

Penalty: Cancellation of result.

Code M: Widespread/mass cheating.

Penalty: Cancellation of result and prosecution.

Code N: Copying from unauthorized materials.

Penalty: Cancellation of result and prosecution.

Code P: Tampering with/doctoring result/processing of released result.

Penalty: Cancellation of result, 3-year ban and prosecution for forgery.

Here are the penalties enforced under the Examination Malpractice Act:

The following items are prohibited and may result in disqualification or the penalties outlined above;

Wristwatches, Pen/biros, Mobile phones or similar electronic devices, Spy reading glasses (which should be scrutinised), Calculators or similar electronic devices, USBs, CDs, hard disks and/or similar storage devices.

Books or any reading/writing materials, Cameras, Recorders, Microphones, Earpieces, Ink/pen readers, Smart lenses, Smart rings/jewellery, Smart buttons, Bluetooth devices, Key holders, ATM cards, Erasers, Bangles. Rings, Necklaces, and Wallets/purses.

Additional updates from JAMB:

No writing materials are allowed except ordinary HB pencils.

Bags, purses, wallets and similar items are also banned.

Strict biometric verification and screening will be conducted.

Candidates should arrive early at their assigned centres with only permitted items.

The examination will take place across accredited CBT centres nationwQide in four daily sessions, with the first session starting at 8:30 a.m.