JAMB CBT Explained: Structure, Timing and How To Practise

If you have never written an exam on a computer, the UTME can feel strange. There is no paper, no pencil to chew on, and the clock stays on the screen.

The good news is that the format is simple once you understand it. A few days of practice can remove most of the fear.

How the UTME is structured

You write four subjects in one sitting. Use of English has 60 questions, and each of your other three subjects has 40 questions.

That makes 180 questions, and you have two hours to finish. Each subject carries 100 marks, so the full paper is marked over 400.

On average you get a little less than a minute per question. That is why speed matters as much as knowledge.

What you will see on the screen

The computer shows one question at a time, with the options and a list of question numbers you can click. You can move between subjects and between questions.

You can also skip a question and return to it later. That freedom is useful, but it can tempt you to waste time wandering around.

Before the exam begins, you will see instructions. Read them calmly, because some candidates lose their first minutes by rushing through this part.

A time plan that works for most candidates

Do not leave your time to luck. A simple plan can protect you, and this is one way to break down your two hours.

• Start with the subject you are strongest in, to bank marks early.
• Give Use of English about 35 minutes, because it has the most questions.
• Use about 25 minutes for each of the other three subjects.
• Keep the last 10 minutes for review and for skipped questions.

Adjust the plan to your own strengths. Then practise it before the exam day so it feels natural.

The skip rule

If a question takes more than a minute and you are still stuck, mark it and move on. A hard question is worth the same marks as an easy one.

Spending four minutes on one question can cost you three easy ones later. Come back at the end with whatever time is left.

How to practise before the exam

You cannot learn a computer exam by reading about it. You need to sit one, and these steps will help.

1. Practise with a CBT app or at a computer centre, using timed tests with 180 questions.
2. Do full tests in your own four subjects, and not only random questions.
3. Practise with a mouse and also with a laptop pad, because you may meet either on the day.
4. Review each test, and write down the topics where you lose marks.

Do this at least twice a week in the last month. The more familiar the screen feels, the calmer you will be.

On the exam day

Arrive early, with your exam slip and the identification JAMB asked for. JAMB announced that arrival for the first session of the 2027 UTME moves to 7:30 a.m.

Still, always check the time and centre printed on your own slip. Our JAMB 2027 guide explains what has been confirmed so far.

If your system hangs, raise your hand and tell the supervisor at once. Do not try to fix it yourself.

Never touch anything that is not allowed, because malpractice can lead to a withheld or cancelled result. See what to do if a JAMB result is withheld.

Mistakes new CBT candidates make

Most mistakes come from small habits. Fix them in practice and they will not follow you into the hall.

• Spending too long on the first few questions.
• Forgetting to answer the skipped questions at the end.
• Clicking submit before checking the time left.
• Not reading the instructions on the screen.

Pick one of these habits and work on it this week. Small changes give quick gains.

Where to go from here

When results come out, use our JAMB score calculator and cut-off mark checker to compare yourself with your target schools.

For a longer plan, read how to score high in JAMB and our guide on subject combinations. The CBT is only a tool. Steady practice is what gives you the score.