JAMB Cut-off Mark 2025/2026

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has set the JAMB Cut-off Mark 2025/2026 140 for universities, 100 for polytechnics, and 100 for colleges of education (COEs). This decision was made during the 2025 Annual Policy Meeting, held in Abuja, following the completion of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

JAMB’s Registrar, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, clarified that institutions can raise their cut-off marks but cannot lower them. The meeting also saw the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, amend his earlier stance on the minimum age for admission, allowing candidates as young as 16 to be admitted for this year, with the 18-year minimum now set to begin in 2025.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) determines the minimum cut-off marks for admissions into Nigerian universities each year.

For the 2025/2026 academic session, these cut-off marks will guide universities in selecting candidates based on their performance in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). It’s essential for aspiring students to know these marks to better prepare for university admission.

JAMB Cut-off Mark 2025/2026

The JAMB 2024/2025 cut-off marks are as follows:

• Federal Universities: 140
• State Universities: 140
• Polytechnics: 100
• Colleges of Education: 100
• Innovative Institutions: 100

This marks the official threshold for admission into these institutions for the 2024/2025 academic session. Schools with specific cut-off marks higher than 140 will be listed separately, covering those that accept JAMB scores of 140, 150, 160, 180, 200, and above.

What is JAMB Cut off mark?

The JAMB cut-off mark is the minimum score needed in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for admission into Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. It is set by JAMB with input from educational authorities to ensure fairness in the admission process.

JAMB Cut Off Mark for 2024/2025

Institution Type	Cut-Off Mark
Federal Universities	140
State Universities	140
Private Universities	140
Polytechnics	100
Colleges of Education	100

For the 2024/2025 academic session, the minimum UTME cut-off marks are set as follows: universities require at least 140, while polytechnics and colleges of education have a cut-off of 100.

To apply for Post-UTME in federal universities, polytechnics, or colleges of education, candidates must score at least 100 in their UTME.

Departmental cut-off marks, which vary by course, are determined by individual departments based on factors like applicant performance and course competitiveness, and are typically released after the Post-UTME screening. Meeting the required cut-off marks improves the chances of gaining admission to preferred courses and institutions.

Jamb Departmental Cut-Off Mark 2025/2026

For the 2025/2026 academic session, JAMB has set the minimum cut-off mark for Nigerian universities at 140. Candidates who score 140 or above in the UTME are eligible to apply. However, admission is not guaranteed.

Competitive universities often set higher internal cut-off marks, especially for popular courses like Medicine, Law, and Engineering, with institutions like UNILAG, OAU, and UI requiring scores well above 140 for these programs.

Meeting the JAMB cut-off mark is essential for university admission, but it doesn’t guarantee placement. Candidates must also meet other requirements:

• O’level Results: At least five credit passes in relevant subjects, including English and Mathematics.
• Post-UTME Screening: Some universities require a post-UTME test, and scores are combined with JAMB results to determine eligibility.
• Course Requirements: Each course has specific subject combinations that candidates must meet for admission.

Factors Influencing University Cut-off Marks

Cut-off marks for universities and courses are influenced by several factors. High-demand courses like Medicine, Engineering, and Law generally have higher marks due to limited spaces. Some universities, particularly federal ones like UNILAG, UNN, and OAU, set higher cut-offs to maintain standards.

The overall performance of UTME candidates can also affect cut-off marks, with universities raising them if average scores are high. Additionally, admission quotas, which limit the number of available spaces, often result in higher cut-off marks for institutions with fewer spots.

How to Calculate Your Aggregate Score 2025/2026

Your aggregate score determines your ranking and eligibility for admission. It’s calculated by combining your JAMB score, post-UTME score, and O’level results. Institutions may use different ratios: a 50:50 ratio (JAMB

), a 60:40 ratio, or include O’level results with varying weight.

For example:

• 50:50 ratio: If you scored 250 in JAMB, 70 in post-UTME, your aggregate is: (250/400×50)+(70/100×50)=62.5+35=97.5(250/400×50)+(70/100×50)=62.5+35=97.5
• 60:40 ratio: (250/400×60)+(70/100×40)=75+28=103(250/400×60)+(70/100×40)=75+28=103
• Including O’level: If your O’level points total 25 and are weighted 20%, then with a 50:30:20 ratio: (250/400×50)+(70/100×30)+(25/30×20)=62.5+21+16.7=100.2(250/400×50)+(70/100×30)+(25/30×20)=62.5+21+16.7=100.2

Note: The cut-off marks for each institution and course may vary based on factors like the number of applicants, candidate performance, and available spaces.

Conclusion

After JAMB sets the general cut-off mark, universities establish course-specific cut-offs based on their policies and program competitiveness. For example, a university might set 240 for Medicine, 200 for Engineering, and 180 for Education. Additionally, universities may conduct post-UTME exams, and the results are combined with the JAMB score to calculate the final aggregate for admission.