JAMB Cut-Off Marks 2025/2026: Full List, Courses & Admission Guide

Introduction

Every year, thousands of Nigerian students anxiously wait for the release of the JAMB cut-off marks to determine their admission chances.
For the 2025/2026 academic session, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has approved new benchmarks for universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education across the country.

Understanding how these marks work — and what to do if your score is below the requirement — can make the difference between securing admission and waiting another year.

What Is a JAMB Cut-Off Mark and How It Works

A JAMB cut-off mark is the minimum UTME score a candidate must achieve to qualify for admission into a tertiary institution.
However, it’s important to know that there are two layers of cut-off marks:

1. National minimum benchmark — set annually by JAMB after the policy meeting with the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Federal Ministry of Education.
2. Institutional or departmental cut-off marks — decided individually by schools like UNILAG, UI, or OAU, depending on competition and available slots.

For example, while JAMB may set 150 as the minimum score for universities, UI or UNILAG might raise their departmental cut-off for Medicine to 280 because of higher demand.

Official JAMB Cut-Off Marks for 2025/2026 Admission

According to the 2025 JAMB policy meeting, these are the approved national minimum scores for admissions:

These benchmarks serve as a foundation — schools may choose to raise them but cannot go below the national minimum.

Course-Specific JAMB Cut-Off Marks for 2025

Cut-off marks also vary depending on the course you choose. Programs with high demand, such as Medicine, Law, and Engineering, attract higher thresholds.

Medicine and Surgery

Highly competitive nationwide.

• Average cut-off: 250–280
• Top schools like UI, UNILAG, and OAU often set even higher departmental marks.

Law

• Average range: 240–260
• Most federal universities maintain high thresholds due to limited slots.

Engineering & Technology

• Average cut-off: 220–240
• Courses like Electrical and Civil Engineering require top performance in Mathematics and Physics.

Nursing Science

• Average cut-off: 230–260
• Increasingly competitive as more candidates apply yearly.

Social Sciences & Management

• Accounting, Economics, Business Admin, and Mass Communication typically fall between 200–220.

University & Departmental Cut-Off Marks (Examples)

While JAMB sets the national benchmark, institutions adjust based on internal policies.

University of Lagos (UNILAG)

• General cut-off: 200
• Medicine: 280
• Law: 260
• Engineering: 240

University of Ibadan (UI)

• Medicine: 275
• Pharmacy: 260
• Law: 255

Ahmadu Bello University (ABU Zaria)

• Varies by faculty: 180–230
• Less competitive for some agricultural and education courses.

Private Universities

• More flexible. Schools like Covenant University, Babcock, and Afe Babalola University may admit candidates with scores below 200 but require good O’Level grades.

How JAMB and Schools Determine Cut-Off Mark

The cut-off determination process involves several factors decided during the JAMB Policy Meeting, where representatives from all tertiary institutions agree on national benchmarks.

Key Factors Include:

• Total number of applicants per course
• Institutional capacity (available seats)
• Overall performance trends in the year’s UTME
• Catchment area considerations
• Performance in O’Level and Post-UTME

Understanding Aggregate Scores

Most universities use an aggregate formula:

(JAMB score ÷ 8) + (Post-UTME ÷ 2) = Admission Aggregate

For example, if you score 280 in JAMB and 70 in Post-UTME:

(280 ÷ 8) + (70 ÷ 2) = 35 + 35 = 70 aggregate score

This aggregate determines whether you meet a department’s final cut-off.

Historical Trends: How Cut-Off Marks Have Changed (2015–2025)

Insights:

• The gradual reduction aims to improve access to tertiary education.
• Many universities still maintain internal benchmarks far above JAMB’s minimum.
• Expect similar trends in 2026, as competition continues to increase for top courses.

What to Do If Your JAMB Score Is Below Cut-Off

Scored below your desired university’s cut-off? You still have multiple options.

1. Apply for Change of Course or Institution

Use the JAMB CAPS portal to switch to less competitive courses or schools.
For example:

• From Medicine → Anatomy or Physiology
• From Law → Political Science or Criminology
• From UNILAG → Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE)

2. Perform Well in Post-UTME

Some schools compensate for a lower UTME score if you excel in Post-UTME exams.

3. Consider Polytechnics or Colleges

Many polytechnics admit candidates with 100+, and you can later upgrade through Direct Entry (DE) into a university.

4. Explore Private Universities

Private schools offer flexible entry, smaller classes, and quality facilities — though with higher tuition.

Common Myths About JAMB Cut-Off Marks

1. “All universities use the same cut-off.”
   ❌ False — each school sets its own departmental marks.
2. “You can’t get admission below 200.”
   ❌ Some polytechnics and private universities accept as low as 100 or 120.
3. “Once you miss the JAMB cut-off, admission is impossible.”
   ❌ Supplementary and part-time programs offer alternative pathways.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is the official JAMB cut-off mark for 2025?
A: 140 for universities, 100 for polytechnics, and 80 for colleges of education.

Q2: Can I get admission with 150 in JAMB?
A: Yes. Consider less competitive courses or polytechnics.

Q3: When will JAMB release the 2025 Post-UTME schedule?
A: Usually between July and August after the policy meeting.

Q4: Do private universities follow JAMB’s cut-off?
A: Not strictly. They set their own entry criteria but still require JAMB registration numbers.

Q5: What is the difference between departmental and general cut-off?
A: The general cut-off is the baseline, while the departmental cut-off determines who gets admitted into specific courses.

Conclusion: How to Prepare for 2025/2026 Admission

The 2025/2026 JAMB cut-off marks highlight one truth — preparation is everything.
Whether your target is UNILAG, UI, or a polytechnic, your success depends not just on your UTME score, but also on your Post-UTME performance, O’Level grades, and course strategy.

Keep checking the JAMB portal and your preferred school’s website for updates on admission lists and Post-UTME dates.