JAMB, WAEC, and admissions guides for Nigerian students
JAMB Mop-Up Exam 2026: Who Qualifies and How to Sit
JAMB has admitted Mop-Up candidates in three categories in past cycles:
Centre-side technical failures. Candidates whose CBT terminals failed, lost connection, or had software issues during the main UTME, and who could not complete the exam. JAMB monitors centre performance and may compile a list of affected centres for Mop-Up.
Medical emergencies on exam day. Candidates with documented medical emergencies (hospital admission, accident) that prevented them from sitting their assigned exam date. Requires medical certificate and JAMB review.
Centre-side administrative failures. Candidates whose biometrics did not verify at the gate due to centre error, or whose names were missing from the centre roll despite valid registration. Requires the centre to have filed an incident report.
The Mop-Up is not for: candidates who chose not to write the exam; candidates whose JAMB score was lower than they wanted (low score is not a reason for Mop-Up); candidates with documents that do not prove the technical or medical reason for missing the original sitting.
How to apply for the Mop-Up
The process is initiated through your state JAMB office, not through self-registration. Affected candidates contact the JAMB state office in writing within a short window after the main UTME (typically 7 to 14 days after the missed sitting date). The letter should include: candidate name, JAMB registration number, original assigned exam date and centre, the nature of the technical or medical issue, and documentary evidence.
Documentary evidence varies by the nature of the case:
For centre technical failures: the centre’s incident form signed by the centre supervisor and the JAMB monitor on the day.
For medical emergencies: a medical certificate from a licensed hospital, with details of admission dates and treatment.
For centre administrative failures: written confirmation from the centre office and any JAMB officer’s notes on the day.
JAMB reviews the case and decides whether to admit the candidate to the Mop-Up. If approved, the candidate is assigned a new exam date and centre. The Mop-Up exam typically runs 2 to 4 weeks after the main UTME, at the same kind of CBT centre with the same exam format (four subjects, 60 questions Use of English plus 40 questions each of three subjects, 2 hours total).
What happens after the Mop-Up
Mop-Up exam results are released within a few days of the sitting, similar to the main UTME timing. The Mop-Up result replaces the missing or void result on your JAMB record. Your admission processing then continues normally: Post-UTME at your first-choice school, CAPS admission, school clearance.
Mop-Up results are formally identical to main UTME results. There is no marker on your JAMB profile distinguishing main UTME from Mop-Up. Schools accept Mop-Up scores the same way they accept main UTME scores. The CAPS admission process, school portal, and admission letter are all standard.
For candidates who took the Mop-Up because the original UTME was compromised, the Mop-Up usually fits into the year’s admission cycle without delay. Post-UTME at most schools runs in July-August, so a Mop-Up result by mid-May to early-June still leaves time for the standard admission process.
If the Mop-Up does not run or you do not qualify
If JAMB does not announce a Mop-Up for the cycle, or if your application is not approved, the standard options remain. You can apply for Change of Course or Change of Institution to a school still accepting candidates without UTME. You can prepare for the next JAMB cycle (UTME registration opens January-February for the next year).
For candidates whose original UTME score was low (not zero from a failed sitting, but genuinely low), the Mop-Up is not an option. The realistic path is to retake JAMB in the next cycle with focused preparation. A gap year of preparation typically lifts the score 30 to 60 marks.
Frequently asked questions
Does JAMB always run a Mop-Up Exam?
Not every cycle. The Mop-Up depends on how the main UTME ran. If the main UTME ran smoothly with few centre-side issues, JAMB may not announce a Mop-Up. If significant technical issues affected candidates, JAMB typically schedules a Mop-Up to give affected candidates a fair second sitting. Check jamb.gov.ng for the current cycle’s Mop-Up announcement.
Can I sit the Mop-Up because my JAMB score was low?
No. The Mop-Up is specifically for candidates whose original UTME sitting was compromised by technical or medical issues. A low JAMB score (where the candidate actually sat the exam and answered the questions) is not a qualifying reason. The Mop-Up restores the opportunity to sit; it does not give a second chance to candidates who simply scored low.
What if my centre had problems but JAMB does not run a Mop-Up?
Write to your state JAMB office with documentary evidence of the centre’s problems (the incident form signed by the supervisor and the JAMB monitor). JAMB may grant a re-sit at a different centre within the existing UTME window, even without a formal Mop-Up. If the case is not approved, the realistic option is to apply for the next JAMB cycle.
How much does the Mop-Up cost?
Approved Mop-Up candidates typically do not pay an additional registration fee; the original UTME fee covers the Mop-Up since the candidate is being made whole for a compromised original sitting. Some candidates may need to pay for transport to the assigned Mop-Up centre if it differs from their original centre. Confirm the specific arrangement when JAMB approves your Mop-Up application.
Will my admission be delayed by taking the Mop-Up?
Usually not. The Mop-Up runs in May or June, with results in early June. Post-UTME registration at most schools opens in June; Post-UTME screening runs in July-August. The Mop-Up timing fits into the standard admission cycle without delay. Your Post-UTME registration and subsequent CAPS admission processing run on the standard schedule once the Mop-Up result is in your JAMB record.
Is the Mop-Up score treated the same as main UTME?
Yes. The Mop-Up score replaces the missing or void result on your JAMB record. Schools accept Mop-Up scores the same way they accept main UTME scores. Your CAPS admission processing, school portal, and admission letter are standard. No marker distinguishes Mop-Up from main UTME after the fact.
What documents do I need to apply for Mop-Up?
The documents depend on the reason for the Mop-Up application. For centre technical failures, the centre incident form signed by the centre supervisor and the JAMB monitor on the day is the key document. For medical emergencies, a medical certificate from a licensed hospital with admission dates and treatment details is required. For centre administrative failures, written confirmation from the centre office and JAMB officer notes from the day are needed. In all cases, you also need your JAMB registration number, original assigned exam date and centre, and a clear written letter explaining the case. Submit through your state JAMB office, not by self-registration.
What happens if my Mop-Up score is lower than I expected?
The Mop-Up score is your formal UTME score for the cycle, regardless of how it compares to your original expectation. If the Mop-Up score is below your target school’s working cut-off, the same options apply as for any candidate: Change of Course, Change of Institution, or waiting for the next JAMB cycle. The Mop-Up is a chance to sit, not a guarantee of a competitive score. Prepare seriously for the Mop-Up; treat it as the real exam it is.
Can I sit the Mop-Up at a different centre from my original?
Often yes. JAMB assigns a Mop-Up centre based on availability and your location at the time of the Mop-Up. The new centre may be closer to your home (a convenience) or further away (an inconvenience). The assigned centre is non-negotiable except in rare cases of documented hardship; transport to the new centre is your responsibility. Plan transport in advance once you have the assignment, since Mop-Up exam dates are firm and a missed Mop-Up effectively ends your admission chance for the cycle.
JAMB official portal at jamb.gov.ng; JAMB Bulletin; state JAMB office circulars; JAMB Mop-Up announcements.
The JAMB Mop-Up Exam is a second-chance UTME sitting that JAMB sometimes runs for candidates affected by technical issues during the main UTME or for candidates who missed their assigned exam date for genuine reasons (medical emergencies, centre-side failures). The Mop-Up runs a few weeks after the main UTME, with selective registration approved by JAMB based on documented cases. The Mop-Up is not a routine “second chance” for all candidates; it is specifically for those whose original UTME experience was compromised.
Last updated: May 2026 JAMB has run Mop-Up exams in past cycles when technical issues or centre failures affected significant numbers of candidates. For the 2026 cycle, JAMB has indicated that Mop-Up provisions are in place for affected candidates. Whether or not a Mop-Up is run depends on how the main UTME ran; if technical issues were widespread, JAMB schedules a Mop-Up. This guide covers who typically qualifies, how the registration works, the exam format, and what the Mop-Up result means for admission.
Who typically qualifies for the Mop-Up
JAMB has admitted Mop-Up candidates in three categories in past cycles:
Centre-side technical failures. Candidates whose CBT terminals failed, lost connection, or had software issues during the main UTME, and who could not complete the exam. JAMB monitors centre performance and may compile a list of affected centres for Mop-Up.
Medical emergencies on exam day. Candidates with documented medical emergencies (hospital admission, accident) that prevented them from sitting their assigned exam date. Requires medical certificate and JAMB review.
Centre-side administrative failures. Candidates whose biometrics did not verify at the gate due to centre error, or whose names were missing from the centre roll despite valid registration. Requires the centre to have filed an incident report.
The Mop-Up is not for: candidates who chose not to write the exam; candidates whose JAMB score was lower than they wanted (low score is not a reason for Mop-Up); candidates with documents that do not prove the technical or medical reason for missing the original sitting.
How to apply for the Mop-Up
The process is initiated through your state JAMB office, not through self-registration. Affected candidates contact the JAMB state office in writing within a short window after the main UTME (typically 7 to 14 days after the missed sitting date). The letter should include: candidate name, JAMB registration number, original assigned exam date and centre, the nature of the technical or medical issue, and documentary evidence.
Documentary evidence varies by the nature of the case:
For centre technical failures: the centre’s incident form signed by the centre supervisor and the JAMB monitor on the day.
For medical emergencies: a medical certificate from a licensed hospital, with details of admission dates and treatment.
For centre administrative failures: written confirmation from the centre office and any JAMB officer’s notes on the day.
JAMB reviews the case and decides whether to admit the candidate to the Mop-Up. If approved, the candidate is assigned a new exam date and centre. The Mop-Up exam typically runs 2 to 4 weeks after the main UTME, at the same kind of CBT centre with the same exam format (four subjects, 60 questions Use of English plus 40 questions each of three subjects, 2 hours total).
What happens after the Mop-Up
Mop-Up exam results are released within a few days of the sitting, similar to the main UTME timing. The Mop-Up result replaces the missing or void result on your JAMB record. Your admission processing then continues normally: Post-UTME at your first-choice school, CAPS admission, school clearance.
Mop-Up results are formally identical to main UTME results. There is no marker on your JAMB profile distinguishing main UTME from Mop-Up. Schools accept Mop-Up scores the same way they accept main UTME scores. The CAPS admission process, school portal, and admission letter are all standard.
For candidates who took the Mop-Up because the original UTME was compromised, the Mop-Up usually fits into the year’s admission cycle without delay. Post-UTME at most schools runs in July-August, so a Mop-Up result by mid-May to early-June still leaves time for the standard admission process.
If the Mop-Up does not run or you do not qualify
If JAMB does not announce a Mop-Up for the cycle, or if your application is not approved, the standard options remain. You can apply for Change of Course or Change of Institution to a school still accepting candidates without UTME. You can prepare for the next JAMB cycle (UTME registration opens January-February for the next year).
For candidates whose original UTME score was low (not zero from a failed sitting, but genuinely low), the Mop-Up is not an option. The realistic path is to retake JAMB in the next cycle with focused preparation. A gap year of preparation typically lifts the score 30 to 60 marks.
Frequently asked questions
Does JAMB always run a Mop-Up Exam?
Not every cycle. The Mop-Up depends on how the main UTME ran. If the main UTME ran smoothly with few centre-side issues, JAMB may not announce a Mop-Up. If significant technical issues affected candidates, JAMB typically schedules a Mop-Up to give affected candidates a fair second sitting. Check jamb.gov.ng for the current cycle’s Mop-Up announcement.
Can I sit the Mop-Up because my JAMB score was low?
No. The Mop-Up is specifically for candidates whose original UTME sitting was compromised by technical or medical issues. A low JAMB score (where the candidate actually sat the exam and answered the questions) is not a qualifying reason. The Mop-Up restores the opportunity to sit; it does not give a second chance to candidates who simply scored low.
What if my centre had problems but JAMB does not run a Mop-Up?
Write to your state JAMB office with documentary evidence of the centre’s problems (the incident form signed by the supervisor and the JAMB monitor). JAMB may grant a re-sit at a different centre within the existing UTME window, even without a formal Mop-Up. If the case is not approved, the realistic option is to apply for the next JAMB cycle.
How much does the Mop-Up cost?
Approved Mop-Up candidates typically do not pay an additional registration fee; the original UTME fee covers the Mop-Up since the candidate is being made whole for a compromised original sitting. Some candidates may need to pay for transport to the assigned Mop-Up centre if it differs from their original centre. Confirm the specific arrangement when JAMB approves your Mop-Up application.
Will my admission be delayed by taking the Mop-Up?
Usually not. The Mop-Up runs in May or June, with results in early June. Post-UTME registration at most schools opens in June; Post-UTME screening runs in July-August. The Mop-Up timing fits into the standard admission cycle without delay. Your Post-UTME registration and subsequent CAPS admission processing run on the standard schedule once the Mop-Up result is in your JAMB record.
Is the Mop-Up score treated the same as main UTME?
Yes. The Mop-Up score replaces the missing or void result on your JAMB record. Schools accept Mop-Up scores the same way they accept main UTME scores. Your CAPS admission processing, school portal, and admission letter are standard. No marker distinguishes Mop-Up from main UTME after the fact.
What documents do I need to apply for Mop-Up?
The documents depend on the reason for the Mop-Up application. For centre technical failures, the centre incident form signed by the centre supervisor and the JAMB monitor on the day is the key document. For medical emergencies, a medical certificate from a licensed hospital with admission dates and treatment details is required. For centre administrative failures, written confirmation from the centre office and JAMB officer notes from the day are needed. In all cases, you also need your JAMB registration number, original assigned exam date and centre, and a clear written letter explaining the case. Submit through your state JAMB office, not by self-registration.
What happens if my Mop-Up score is lower than I expected?
The Mop-Up score is your formal UTME score for the cycle, regardless of how it compares to your original expectation. If the Mop-Up score is below your target school’s working cut-off, the same options apply as for any candidate: Change of Course, Change of Institution, or waiting for the next JAMB cycle. The Mop-Up is a chance to sit, not a guarantee of a competitive score. Prepare seriously for the Mop-Up; treat it as the real exam it is.
Can I sit the Mop-Up at a different centre from my original?
Often yes. JAMB assigns a Mop-Up centre based on availability and your location at the time of the Mop-Up. The new centre may be closer to your home (a convenience) or further away (an inconvenience). The assigned centre is non-negotiable except in rare cases of documented hardship; transport to the new centre is your responsibility. Plan transport in advance once you have the assignment, since Mop-Up exam dates are firm and a missed Mop-Up effectively ends your admission chance for the cycle.
Lagos-based education writer covering JAMB, WAEC and NECO, and tertiary admissions across Nigeria. Chinedu tracks cut-off marks, admission lists, and school portal updates so students and parents do not have to.
