The National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) is an examination that is mostly conducted for admission into federal unity colleges, especially for junior secondary school 1 admission.
NCEE is governed and controlled under the administration of the National Examination Council (NECO), which is a body also responsible for examinations like the NGE, BECE, and SSCE (internal and external).
Federal Unity College is a great place for any primary 6 pupils to get admitted to, as they offer better and more robust academic programs than other public secondary schools, but they can, but the admission requirement for any applicant is to pass the National Common Entrance examination in order to reduce competition.
Whether you are a parent or guardian who is seeking admission for his ward into a federal unity college and who is well aware of the NCEE examination, then this article is for you, as it will cover the date the examination will commence registration, requirements,college and also preparation tips for your ward to ace their examination.
Examination Date for National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE)
● The official date when the NCEE will be commenced is 6th June 2026, with the registration starting on 5th January 2026, and it will be closing on Saturday, 6th June 2026, the same date as the examination.
● Candidate must confirm their examination center ahead and make sure it is correct.
The wrong center can lead to failure automatically.
● Candidates are required to be in the examination hall 1-2 hours before the commencement of the examination.
● Accreditation and verification will be conducted before the start of the examination to ensure authenticity and also verification of documents.
Materials required and not required in the examination hall
● Printed registration slips are required.
● Candidates should be with their writing materials, which include HB pencils, an eraser, and a sharpener.
● Mobile phones are not allowed in the examination hall.
● Smartwatches are not allowed.
● Use of simple calculators is allowed.
Requirements and Eligibility for NCEE 2026
● Candidate must be not be above 10 years by September 2026
● Candidate must be in primary 6
● Candidate must be fully prepared for academic transition
Required Documents
● Birth Certificate or Declaration of State
● Recent passport photograph not older than 3 months
● National Identification Number (NIN)
● Parent/guardian Information
● School Details
● Primary 6 leaving school certificate
How to apply for the National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) 2026
● Visit the official NCEE NECO website at ncee.neco.gov.ng.
● Register by inputting your name and email address and also select the country you are registering in, or you can simply log in if you are not a new user.
● Activate the account from your Gmail by clicking on the link sent by NCEE.
● Make payment into NECO TSA with a sum of N5,940 per candidate using bank branch deposit, internet banking, e-naira, or wallet. Bank transfer is not allowed.
● After the successful payment, fill in the candidate info, including date of birth, and also upload a passport-size photograph.
● Print Photocard
Note:
● The payment for NCEE is to be done only through the NCEE portal.
● Change of examination center and also change of name and passport cannot be done after application; this can only be done before registration.
● Qualified candidates after examination will be moved to a federal unity college if their chosen federal unity college is full.
● Candidates are to choose 1 federal unity college each from the 6 geopolitical zones.
List of Federal Government Colleges (Unity Schools)
- Federal Government Girls’ College, Umuahia (Girls Only) – Abia State
- Federal Government College, Ohafia (Boys and Girls) – Abia State
- Federal Science and Technical College, Ohanso (Boys and Girls) – Abia State
- Federal Government College, Nise (Boys and Girls) – Anambra State
- Federal Government Girls’ College, Onitsha (Girls Only) – Anambra State
- Federal Science and Technical College, Awka (Boys and Girls) – Anambra State
- Federal Government College, Enugu (Boys and Girls) – Enugu State
- Federal Government Girls’ College, Lejja (Girls Only) – Enugu State
- Federal Government College, Okigwe (Boys and Girls) – Imo State
- Federal Government Girls’ College, Owerri (Girls Only) – Imo State
- Federal Science and Technical College, Oguta (Boys and Girls) – Imo State
- Federal Government College, Okposi (Boys and Girls) – Ebonyi State
- Federal Government Girls’ College, Ezzamgbo (Girls Only) – Ebonyi State
- Federal Science and Technical College, Amuzu (Boys and Girls) – Ebonyi State
Akwa Ibom State
- Federal Government College, Ikot-Ekpene (Boys and Girls)
- Federal Government Girls’ College, Ikot-Obio-Itong (Girls Only)
- Federal Science and Technical College, Uyo (Girls Only)
Cross River State
- Federal Government College, Ikom (Boys and Girls)
- Federal Government Girls’ College, Calabar (Girls Only)
Delta State
- Federal Government College, Warri (Boys and Girls)
- Federal Government Girls’ College, Ibusa (Girls Only)
Edo State
- Federal Government College, Benin City (Boys and Girls)
- Federal Government Girls’ College, Benin City (Girls Only)
- Federal Science and Technical College, Uromi (Boys and Girls)
Rivers State
- Federal Government College, Port Harcourt (Boys and Girls)
- Federal Government Girls’ College, Abuloma (Girls Only)
- Federal Science and Technical College, Ahoada (Boys and Girls)
Bayelsa State
- Federal Government College, Odi (Boys and Girls)
- Federal Government Girls’ College, Imiringi (Girls Only)
- Federal Science and Technical College, Tungbo (Boys and Girls)
Lagos State
- King’s College, Lagos (Boys Only)
- Federal Government College, Lagos (Boys and Girls)
- Queen’s College, Lagos (Girls Only)
- Federal Science and Technical College, Yaba (Boys and Girls)
Ogun State
- Federal Government College, Odogbolu (Boys and Girls)
- Federal Government Girls’ College, Sagamu (Girls Only)
- Federal Science and Technical College, Ijebu-Mushin (Boys and Girls)
Ondo State
- Federal Government College, Idoani (Boys and Girls)
- Federal Government Girls’ College, Akure (Girls Only)
- Federal Science and Technical College, Ikare-Akoko (Boys and Girls)
Osun State
- Federal Government College, Ikirun (Boys and Girls)
- Federal Government Girls’ College, Ipetumodu (Girls Only)
- Federal Science and Technical College, Ilesa (Boys and Girls)
Oyo State
- Federal Government College, Ogbomoso (Boys and Girls)
- Federal Government Girls’ College, Oyo (Girls Only)
- Federal Science and Technical College, Igangan (Boys and Girls)
Ekiti State
- Federal Government College, Ido-Ekiti (Boys and Girls)
- Federal Government Girls’ College, Efon-Alaaye (Girls Only)
- Federal Science and Technical College, Usi-Ekiti (Boys and Girls)
Adamawa State
- Federal Government College, Ganye (Boys and Girls)
- Federal Government Girls’ College, Yola (Girls Only)
- Federal Science and Technical College, Michika (Boys and Girls)
Bauchi State
- Federal Government College, Azare (Boys and Girls)
- Federal Government Girls’ College, Bauchi (Girls Only)
- Federal Science and Technical College, Misau (Boys and Girls)
Borno State
- Federal Government College, Maiduguri (Boys and Girls)
- Federal Government Girls’ College, Monguno (Girls Only)
- Federal Science and Technical College, Lassa (Boys and Girls)
Taraba State
- Federal Government College, Wukari (Boys and Girls)
- Federal Government Girls’ College, Jalingo (Girls Only)
- Federal Science and Technical College, Jalingo (Boys and Girls)
Yobe State
- Federal Government College, Buni-Yadi (Boys and Girls)
- Federal Government Girls’ College, Potiskum (Girls Only)
- Federal Science and Technical College, Gashua (Boys and Girls)
Gombe State
- Federal Government College, Billiri (Boys and Girls)
- Federal Government Girls’ College, Bajoga (Girls Only)
- Federal Science and Technical College, Zambuk (Boys and Girls)
Benue State
- Federal Government College, Vandeikya (Boys and Girls)
- Federal Government Girls’ College, Gboko (Girls Only)
- Federal Government College, Otobi (Boys and Girls)
- Federal Science and Technical College, Otukpo (Boys and Girls)
Kogi State
- Federal Government College, Ugwolawo (Boys and Girls)
- Federal Government Girls’ College, Kabba (Girls Only)
- Federal Science and Technical College, Ogugu (Boys and Girls)
Kwara State
- Federal Government College, Ilorin (Boys and Girls)
- Federal Government Girls’ College, Omu-Aran (Girls Only)
- Federal Science and Technical College, Jebba (Boys and Girls)
Niger State
- Federal Government College, Minna (Boys and Girls)
- Federal Government Girls’ College, Bida (Girls Only)
- Federal Government College, New-Bussa (Boys and Girls)
- Federal Science and Technical College, Shiroro (Boys and Girls)
Plateau State
- Federal Government College, Jos (Boys and Girls)
- Federal Government Girls’ College, Langtang (Girls Only)
Federal Capital Territory
- Federal Government College, Kwali (Boys and Girls)
- Federal Government Girls’ College, Bwari (Girls Only)
- Federal Government Girls’ College, Abaji (Girls Only)
- Federal Government Boys’ College, Garki (Boys Only)
- Federal Government College, Rubochi (Boys and Girls)
- Federal Science and Technical College, Orozo (Boys and Girls)
Nasarawa State
- Federal Government College, Keffi (Boys and Girls)
- Federal Government Girls’ College, Keana (Girls Only)
Kaduna State
- Federal Government College, Kaduna (Boys and Girls)
- Federal Government Girls’ College, Zaria (Girls Only)
- Federal Science and Technical College, Kafanchan (Boys and Girls)
Kano State
- Federal Government College, Kano (Boys and Girls)
- Federal Government Girls’ College, Minjibir (Girls Only)
- Federal Science and Technical College, Ganduje (Boys and Girls)
Katsina State
- Federal Government College, Daura (Boys and Girls)
- Federal Government Girls’ College, Bakori (Girls Only)
- Federal Science and Technical College, Dayi (Boys and Girls)
Kebbi State
- Federal Government College, Birnin-Yauri (Boys and Girls)
- Federal Government Girls’ College, Gwandu (Girls Only)
- Federal Science and Technical College, Zuru (Boys and Girls)
Sokoto State
- Federal Government College, Sokoto (Boys and Girls)
- Federal Government Girls’ College, Tambuwal (Girls Only)
- Federal Science and Technical College, Wurno (Boys and Girls)
Zamfara State
107.Federal Government Girls’ College, Gusau (Girls Only)
108.Federal Government College, Anka (Boys and Girls)
NCEE 2026 Exam Structure & Subjects
● Subjects Covered
○ English Language
○ Mathematics
○ National Value Education
○ Basic Science
○ Basic Technology
○ Quantitative Reasoning
○ Verbal Aptitude
○ Vocational Aptitude
● Examination Format
○ Multiple Choice Questions
○ The numbers per subject are not known.
○ The total score for all the subjects is 200.
○ The cut-off mark varies, and it depends on the state, with the less developed state pegged around 120-130, while others might be higher than that.
How to prepare for the National Common Entrance Examination 2026
● Create a Reading Timetable
Start by creating a timetable to organize the subjects that you will read for a particular day; creating a timetable will make your study well structured.
● Focus on mathematics and English basics
Much focus and study should be focused on mathematics and English, as the more grounded you are in the two subjects, the more easily you can attempt other subjects’ questions. Another interesting fact is that mathematics will be more difficult than other subjects in the examination; that is why it should be given more priority.
● Practice Time Management
The truth is that on the examination day you won’t have the whole 24 hours for yourself to solve questions, but the time will be limited, and that is why you have to learn how to manage your time effectively in order to make sure that you are able to solve all the examination questions.
● Solve Past Questions Regularly
If possible, you have access to NCEE past questions; this is an added advantage, as this will prep you for the kind of questions you will expect in the examination hall. Solve past questions regularly.
Frequently Asked Questions
● When is NCEE 2026 taking place?
NCEE is taking place on the 6th of June, 2026, for the 2026 Examination Edition.
● How much is the NCEE registration fee?
The NCEE registration fee is N5,940 only.
● Can a child below the required age register?
No. The requirement is that the candidate must be 10 years old exactly, not below nor above, in September 2026.
● How many colleges can a candidate choose?
Six. Candidates can choose 6 colleges from six geopolitical zones in Nigeria.
● Can candidates change their preferred college after registration?
No. Candidates cannot change their preferred college after registration, and even their personal details cannot be changed after registration.
● What happens if a candidate misses the exam?
The candidate will have to register the following year.
Conclusion
The NCEE serves as a bridge to cross for primary 6 students intending to get admitted into federal unity colleges across Nigeria.
The requirements and the date for the examination are to be taken seriously by guardians/parents, as the candidates who intend to sit for the examination are too young to remember all of the details for the examination.
