NABTEB Nov/Dec 2026 Timetable: Full Dates for English, Mathematics, Sciences and Trade Papers (2 November – 5 December)

The National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) runs the Nov/Dec exam for private candidates who want an O-level certificate with a trade: technical college leavers, candidates fixing a missing credit for university admission, and adults returning to education. Like WAEC and NECO certificates, NABTEB’s NBC and NTC are used for admission into Nigerian universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.

This guide is built from NABTEB’s own timetable PDF on its Nov/Dec 2026 registration portal, which we downloaded on 1 November 2026. Times are as printed by NABTEB.

The 2026 Nov/Dec Exam at a Glance

The week-long gap between the last practical (14 November) and the first theory paper (23 November) is your best revision window. Use it for Mathematics, English and the theory side of your trade.

Core Subjects: Dates and Times

Sciences, ICT and Agriculture: Both Papers

Science and technical subjects have a practical or “alternative to practical” paper in November and a theory paper later. Do not miss the first one: it is part of the same subject.

Note that ICT Paper I is on the afternoon of 1 December, the same day as Mathematics in the morning, and Further Mathematics follows Government on 3 December. Plan food, water and rest for those long days.

Popular Trade Papers

Every NBC and NTC candidate sits a trade. These are the dates for some of the most popular trades; the full timetable has dozens more.

Typewriting (35 words per minute) is on Thursday 12 November from 9:00am to 11:40am, and Shorthand (80 words per minute) on Saturday 7 November from 9:00am to 10:40am.

Advanced (ANBC/ANTC) Candidates

The advanced certificates have their own papers, mostly short-structured and essay questions. The key general papers are Advanced English Language on Wednesday 2 December (9:00am–12:00noon), Advanced Mathematics on Tuesday 1 December (9:00am–12:00noon), Advanced Economics on Monday 30 November (10:30am–1:30pm), Advanced Commerce on Monday 23 November (12:00noon–3:30pm) and Business/Construction Management on Saturday 5 December (9:00am–12:00noon). Candidates in several advanced engineering trades also take Advanced Mechanical Engineering Science: the practical paper on Friday 13 November and the theory paper on Thursday 26 November. Check the full timetable for your trade code.

Before Each Paper: A Checklist

• Find your exact papers. Download the timetable from NABTEB’s Nov/Dec portal and highlight every paper with your subject or trade code. Some subjects have two papers on different days.
• Have your photocard. If you have lost it, the portal has a Reprint Photocard option using your scratch card details.
• Confirm the time with your centre for practicals marked “to be arranged”.
• Arrive early. Aim to be at the centre at least 30 minutes before the start time.
• Bring only what is allowed: pens, pencils, eraser, ruler, mathematical set and a calculator that is not programmable, plus any tools your trade practical requires. Leave your phone at home or switch it off and hand it in, as your centre directs.
• Read the instructions on the paper before you start, especially on objective papers where you shade answers.

Exam malpractice, including bringing a phone or written material into the hall, can lead to cancellation of your result. It is never worth the risk.

Registration, Photocards and Help

NABTEB’s Nov/Dec portal says registration uses an official NABTEB scratch card. Each card is tied to exactly one candidate, and a registration can be edited a maximum of three times. Scratch cards are sold at NABTEB’s national, zonal and branch offices and at designated banks and post offices.

For problems with your registration or photocard, NABTEB lists its support email as support@nabteb.gov.ng and its phone number as 0800 622 8320. Its headquarters is at Ikpoba Hill, Benin City, Edo State.

After the Exam

NABTEB announces the release of Nov/Dec results itself, so follow its official website and social media accounts rather than rumours on WhatsApp. When your result is out, you can use it for admission alongside or instead of WAEC or NECO, and upload it to JAMB’s CAPS if you are seeking admission. See our guides to uploading your O’level result on JAMB CAPS and the JAMB 2027 registration date and fee.

Also sitting other exams this season? See the NECO GCE Nov/Dec 2026 timetable and the WAEC GCE 2026 second series timetable.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the NABTEB Nov/Dec 2026 exam start and end?

It starts on Monday, 2 November 2026 with practical papers and ends on Saturday, 5 December 2026.

When is NABTEB Mathematics 2026?

Tuesday, 1 December 2026. Paper I (objective) is 9:00am–10:30am and Paper II (essay) is 10:30am–1:00pm.

When is NABTEB English Language 2026?

Wednesday, 2 December 2026. Paper I (objective/test of orals) is 9:00am–10:40am and Paper II is 10:40am–1:10pm.

When are the NABTEB 2026 practical exams?

From Monday, 2 November to Saturday, 14 November 2026. Biology, Chemistry and Physics practicals are on 10, 11 and 13 November.

Is NABTEB accepted for university admission?

Yes. NABTEB’s NBC and NTC are O-level certificates used for admission into Nigerian universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, as long as you have the subjects and grades your course requires.

Where can I download the NABTEB 2026 timetable?

From the “General Exam Timetable” link on NABTEB’s Nov/Dec 2026 registration portal, novdec.nabteb.gov.ng.

Sources

1. NABTEB – “Time-table for the 2026 Nov/Dec National Business Certificate (NBC)/National Technical Certificate (NTC) and Advanced National Business Certificate (ANBC)/Advanced National Technical Certificate (ANTC) Examinations”, from novdec.nabteb.gov.ng, downloaded 1 November 2026
2. NABTEB – Nov/Dec 2026 Examination Registration Portal: registration FAQs, photocard reprint and contact details, novdec.nabteb.gov.ng, checked 1 November 2026

Last updated: 1 November 2026 · NaijaSabi Education Desk. If NABTEB changes any date, we will update this page; always check the official timetable before each paper.