JAMB Prohibited Items for 2026 UTME and Biometric Verification Rules. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has reinforced strict examination security measures for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), maintaining a full ban on electronic devices and personal materials inside examination halls.
The policy is designed to strengthen exam integrity, prevent malpractice, and standardise CBT procedures nationwide.
Prohibited Items in 2026 UTME Examination Halls
Candidates are strictly forbidden from entering examination centres with any of the following items:
Electronic Devices (Fully Banned)
- Mobile phones
- Wristwatches (including smartwatches)
- Calculators
- Cameras and recorders
- Bluetooth devices and earpieces
- USB drives, CDs, and external storage devices
- Smart glasses and spy devices
- Hard drives and similar digital accessories
Stationery and Personal Materials (Also Prohibited)
- Pens, biros, pencils
- Books and notebooks
- Erasers and correction tools
- Key holders
- ATM cards
- Any form of written or printed material
- Smart rings or wearable gadgets with digital functions
JAMB Compliance Warning
JAMB has reiterated that violation of examination rules attracts serious disciplinary consequences, including:
- Immediate disqualification
- Cancellation of examination results
- Possible future registration restrictions
Candidates are expected to arrive without any restricted items and comply fully with instructions at the centre.
Biometric Verification: Mandatory Entry Requirement
Biometric verification remains the only approved method of candidate authentication for the 2026 UTME.
Key Rules
- No candidate will be admitted without successful biometric verification
- Fingerprint verification is required before entry into the CBT hall
- Biometric data also serves as the official attendance record
What Happens If Biometric Verification Fails?
If a candidate experiences verification issues:
- The candidate must be recaptured at the centre immediately
- Only verified and genuine cases are escalated for further review
- Candidates are not allowed to proceed without successful authentication
Role of Examination Officials
JAMB mandates strict enforcement by:
- CBT centre administrators
- Security personnel
- Examination supervisors
All officials are required to ensure uniform compliance with examination procedures across all centres.
Key Takeaways for Candidates
For a smooth UTME experience:
- Avoid bringing any prohibited item to the exam centre
- Arrive early for biometric screening
- Ensure your registration details match your biometric data
- Follow all instructions from JAMB officials strictly
Student Village Insight
The examination framework set by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board reflects a shift toward fully controlled digital assessment systems, where identity verification and device restriction are central to fairness.
For candidates, success in the UTME is now not only academic but also procedural compliance-driven—failure to follow entry protocols can invalidate performance regardless of preparedness.
