What Happens If the CBT System Malfunctions? Will Candidates Be Reposted?

A 2025 UTME candidate, Michael Faraday, has raised a valid concern:

“If the system of a centre is malfunctioning, will the candidates writing at that centre be reposted?”

This is an important question — especially with recent reports of technical issues at some CBT centres.

Here’s What JAMB Says

If a system fails or a CBT centre experiences major technical breakdowns, JAMB will not abandon the candidates. Instead, the Board will take one of the following steps:

1. Reschedule the exam for affected candidates
2. Reassign them to another functional centre, depending on the severity of the issue

In both cases, JAMB will inform candidates of the new date, time, or venue through their registered email or by SMS.

What Counts as a “Major” System Failure?

• Power outage that cannot be restored
• Network/server failure affecting most systems
• Inability to complete biometric verification
• Candidates not able to start the exam at all

Minor delays (e.g. 30-minute login wait, one or two faulty systems) do not qualify for rescheduling, as JAMB officials are trained to resolve such issues quickly on-site.

What Should Candidates Do If This Happens?

• Remain calm and follow the instructions of the centre supervisor
• Do not leave the centre unless instructed
• Report your experience through official JAMB channels if you’re not rescheduled immediately

Final Note

While system failures are rare, JAMB has emergency protocols in place to ensure no candidate is unfairly affected. If your centre faces serious challenges, rest assured you will not be forgotten — JAMB will reschedule or relocate you appropriately.

Good luck to Michael and every other candidate writing this week!