Every year, millions of Nigerian students sit for UTME to gain admission into a tertiary institution. One number stands between a candidate and the next stage of their academic journey, which is the JAMB cut off mark.
If you’ve been looking for a manual that will help you understand the JAMB cut off mark system and advice on how to score above it, then you are in the right place.
Everything you need to know about the JAMB 2026 cut off scores for Nigerian universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and colleges of nursing is covered below.
Official JAMB 2026/2027 Cut Off Marks For Schools
The general minimum cut off scores for the 2026/2027 academic year have been formally announced by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB):
Universities: 150
Polytechnics and Colleges of Education: 100
Colleges of Nursing: 150
The minimal benchmarks are these cut off points. Higher scores for courses can be set by institutions in accordance with internal standards and competition.
This means that a candidate will not be admitted to the relevant institutions if they receive a score lower than these.
Read the Latest News: Official Outcomes From The 2026 JAMB National Policy Meeting
JAMB Cut Off Mark for All Courses 2026
Below are realistic score ranges based on past admission trends across Nigerian universities.
S/N | Faculty/Category | Course | Score Range |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Medical and Health Sciences | Medicine and Surgery | 250 to 300+ |
2 | Medical and Health Sciences | Nursing Science | 200 to 250 |
3 | Medical and Health Sciences | Pharmacy | 220 to 270 |
4 | Medical and Health Sciences | Dentistry | 240 to 280 |
5 | Medical and Health Sciences | Medical Laboratory Science | 200 to 240 |
6 | Medical and Health Sciences | Physiotherapy | 200 to 230 |
7 | Medical and Health Sciences | Radiography | 210 to 250 |
8 | Medical and Health Sciences | Public Health | 180 to 220 |
9 | Engineering and Technology | Mechanical Engineering | 200 to 240 |
10 | Engineering and Technology | Civil Engineering | 200 to 240 |
11 | Engineering and Technology | Electrical Engineering | 210 to 250 |
12 | Engineering and Technology | Computer Engineering | 220 to 260 |
13 | Engineering and Technology | Petroleum Engineering | 230 to 270 |
14 | Engineering and Technology | Chemical Engineering | 210 to 250 |
15 | Engineering and Technology | Agricultural Engineering | 180 to 220 |
16 | Engineering and Technology | Telecommunications Engineering | 180 to 220 |
17 | Law and Social Sciences | Law | 240 to 280 |
18 | Law and Social Sciences | Economics | 200 to 240 |
19 | Law and Social Sciences | Mass Communication | 200 to 240 |
20 | Law and Social Sciences | Political Science | 180 to 220 |
21 | Law and Social Sciences | Sociology | 160 to 200 |
22 | Law and Social Sciences | International Relations | 190 to 230 |
23 | Law and Social Sciences | Criminology | 170 to 210 |
24 | Pure and Applied Sciences | Computer Science | 200 to 250 |
25 | Pure and Applied Sciences | Microbiology | 170 to 210 |
26 | Pure and Applied Sciences | Biochemistry | 180 to 220 |
27 | Pure and Applied Sciences | Physics | 160 to 200 |
28 | Pure and Applied Sciences | Chemistry | 160 to 200 |
29 | Pure and Applied Sciences | Mathematics | 150 to 190 |
30 | Pure and Applied Sciences | Statistics | 160 to 200 |
31 | Arts and Humanities | English Language | 150 to 190 |
32 | Arts and Humanities | History | 140 to 180 |
33 | Arts and Humanities | Theatre Arts | 160 to 200 |
34 | Arts and Humanities | Linguistics | 150 to 190 |
35 | Arts and Humanities | Religious Studies | 140 to 170 |
36 | Arts and Humanities | Nigerian Languages | 140 to 170 |
37 | Education Courses | Education and English | 140 to 180 |
38 | Education Courses | Education and Mathematics | 150 to 190 |
39 | Education Courses | Guidance and Counseling | 140 to 170 |
40 | Education Courses | Education and Biology | 160 to 200 |
41 | Agriculture and Environmental Sciences | Agriculture | 140 to 180 |
42 | Agriculture and Environmental Sciences | Animal Science | 140 to 180 |
43 | Agriculture and Environmental Sciences | Forestry | 140 to 170 |
44 | Agriculture and Environmental Sciences | Environmental Management | 150 to 190 |
45 | Agriculture and Environmental Sciences | Architecture | 200 to 240 |
46 | Commercial and Management Courses | Accounting | 180 to 220 |
47 | Commercial and Management Courses | Banking and Finance | 170 to 210 |
48 | Commercial and Management Courses | Marketing | 160 to 200 |
49 | Commercial and Management Courses | Business Administration | 180 to 220 |
50 | Commercial and Management Courses | Insurance | 160 to 200 |
JAMB Cut Off Marks for Top Universities in Nigeria
Below is a compilation of the cut off mark for some of the top universities in Nigeria.
Federal Universities 2026
University | State | General Cut Off | Medicine Cut Off |
|---|---|---|---|
University of Lagos (UNILAG) | Lagos | 200+ | 280+ |
University of Ibadan (UI) | Oyo | 200+ | 280+ |
Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) | Osun | 200+ | 270+ |
Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) | Kaduna | 160 – 180 | 250+ |
University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) | Enugu | 180+ | 260+ |
University of Benin (UNIBEN) | Edo | 180+ | 260+ |
University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) | FCT | 160 – 180 | 240+ |
Bayero University Kano (BUK) | Kano | 160 – 180 | 240+ |
UNIPORT (University of Port Harcourt) | Rivers | 180+ | 250+ |
University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) | Kwara | 180+ | 260+ |
Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) | Ondo | 180+ | — |
Federal University of Technology Minna (FUTMINNA) | Niger | 160+ | — |
University of Jos (UNIJOS) | Plateau | 160 – 180 | 240+ |
Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) | Anambra | 170+ | 250+ |
State Universities 2026
University | State | General Cut Off |
|---|---|---|
Lagos State University (LASU) | Lagos | 160 – 180 |
Rivers State University (RSU) | Rivers | 150 – 170 |
Ambrose Alli University (AAU) | Edo | 150 – 170 |
Delta State University (DELSU) | Delta | 150 – 170 |
Enugu State University (ESUT) | Enugu | 150 – 170 |
Anambra State University (ANSU) | Anambra | 150 – 170 |
Imo State University (IMSU) | Imo | 150 – 170 |
Osun State University (UNIOSUN) | Osun | 150 – 165 |
Kano State University of Science and Technology | Kano | 150 – 165 |
Private Universities 2026
University | State | General Cut Off | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Covenant University | Ogun | 180 – 200+ | Highly selective |
Babcock University | Ogun | 160 – 180 | Faith based |
Landmark University | Kwara | 160 – 180 | — |
Redeemer’s University | Osun | 160 – 180 | — |
American University of Nigeria (AUN) | Adamawa | 160+ | — |
Madonna University | Anambra | 150 – 160 | — |
Gregory University | Abia | 150 – 160 | — |
Elizade University | Ekiti | 150 – 160 | — |
Mcpherson University | Ogun | 150 – 160 | — |
Fountain University | Osun | 150 – 160 | — |
Factors That Influence JAMB Cut Off Marks
JAMB and individual institutions do not arrive at cut off marks arbitrarily. Several interconnected factors influence these figures each year:
Candidate Performance: If a large number of candidates perform poorly in a given year, institutions may lower their cut off to avoid having unfilled admission slots. However, exceptionally high performance across the board tends to raise thresholds.
Number of Applicants: The more candidates who apply for a course, the higher the competition and, consequently, the higher the effective cut off mark.
Available Admission Slots: Institutional capacity plays a major role. A department with only 50 available spots receiving 5,000 applications will naturally set a higher cut off than one with 200 spots and fewer applicants.
Government Policy: Policies from the Federal Ministry of Education and JAMB itself, including equity and inclusion considerations for educationally disadvantaged states, can influence how cut off marks are applied.
Course Type: Professional courses like medicine, law, pharmacy, engineering, and architecture consistently attract higher cut off marks due to both the academic rigour required and the fierce competition for limited spots.
What Happens If You Score Below the Cut Off Mark?
Scoring below the JAMB cut off mark is not the end of the road. There are several legitimate options available to candidates in this situation:
Change of Institution or Course: JAMB allows candidates to change their institution or course of choice during the change of institution/course window. Opting for a less competitive course or institution with a lower cut off can open admission opportunities.
Supplementary Admission: At the end of each admission cycle, JAMB typically announces a supplementary admissions exercise to fill the remaining vacancies. Candidates who missed out earlier may be eligible.
Retake the UTME: Candidates who are unsatisfied with their scores can register and sit for the UTME in the following year to achieve a higher score.
Direct Entry: Candidates with relevant diplomas, A-level results, or equivalent qualifications may apply through Direct Entry (DE) without sitting for the UTME, subject to institutional requirements.
Advice on How to Score Above the JAMB Cut Off Mark
Achieving a competitive JAMB score requires deliberate and structured preparation. Here are proven strategies:
Study the JAMB Syllabus: The JAMB syllabus is the definitive guide to exam content. Every topic that appears in the exam is drawn from it. Studying outside the syllabus wastes valuable preparation time.
Practice with Past Questions: Working through JAMB past questions exposes you to recurring question patterns and builds familiarity with the exam's style and timing.
Take Timed Mock Exams: Simulating real exam conditions helps build speed, accuracy, and mental endurance.
Focus on Your Subject Combination: Identify the four subjects required for your chosen course and dedicate targeted preparation to each one. Do not spread yourself thin across subjects not relevant to your course.
Aim Above the Cut Off: Always target a score that is at least 20 to 30 points above the expected cut off mark for your institution and course. This buffer accounts for departmental variation and increases your chances of being selected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the cut off mark for colleges of education and agriculture?
A: As of the 2026 policy review, candidates seeking admission into NCE programmes (Education) and Agriculture (non engineering) are exempted from the UTME. No specific JAMB score is required for these institutions this year.
Q: If I score 150, am I guaranteed admission into any University?
A: No. The 150 mark is the "national minimum". Individual universities often set higher internal cut off marks, typically ranging from 180 to 200.
Q: Can a school admit a student who scored below the national minimum
A: No. JAMB policy strictly prohibits any institution from admitting a student who falls below the national benchmarks.
Q: Does meeting the cut off mark mean I have been admitted?
A: No. Meeting the cut off mark only makes you eligible to apply for the school’s Post UTME screening. Your final admission depends on your "aggregate score".
Q: What should I do if my score is lower than my chosen school’s cut off?
A: You should apply for a JAMB change of institution to a school or polytechnic where your score meets the required benchmark.
Q: Is there a minimum age for admission in 2026?
A: Yes. The Ministry of Education has maintained 16 years as the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions for the 2026/2027 session.
Q: How do I know the specific cut off mark for my course?
A: You should check the official website of your institution of choice or the JAMB CAPS portal once schools begin announcing their Post UTME sales.
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