JAMB Cut-off Marks for Universities 2025: Every year, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) sets the minimum cut-off marks for admissions into Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and Colleges of Education. Consequently, these cut-off marks guide institutions in selecting eligible candidates based on their performance in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). For the 2025 academic session, understanding the cut-off mark for universities is crucial for students who aspire to enter these institutions.
What are JAMB Cut-off Marks?
First of all, it is important to define what a cut-off mark is. A cut-off mark refers to the minimum score a candidate must achieve in the JAMB UTME to be eligible to apply for admission to a tertiary institution. While JAMB sets a baseline cut-off mark, it is worth noting that individual universities are allowed to determine their own specific cut-off marks. This is often influenced by the competitiveness of their courses and the number of available slots.
JAMB’s Minimum Cut-off Mark for Universities
For the 2025/2026 academic session, the JAMB-approved cut-off mark for Nigerian universities has been set at 140. Therefore, any candidate who scores 140 and above in the UTME is eligible to apply for admission into any university in Nigeria. However, scoring the cut-off mark does not guarantee automatic admission.
It is essential to understand that while this is the minimum set by JAMB, most competitive universities typically set their internal cut-off marks much higher, especially for popular courses like Medicine, Law, and Engineering. For instance, universities such as the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), and the University of Ibadan (UI) may require scores significantly higher than 140 for admissions into these programs.
Factors Influencing University Cut-off Marks
Several factors influence the cut-off marks for specific universities and courses. First, course competitiveness is a major factor. Popular courses with high demand, such as Medicine, Engineering, and Law, generally have higher cut-off marks. This is because these programs have limited spaces, so only candidates with the highest scores are selected.
In addition, institutional preference also plays a role. Some universities maintain high cut-off marks to preserve their standards and reputation. For example, federal universities like UNILAG, University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), and OAU often have cut-off marks above 200 for most of their courses.
Furthermore, the overall performance of candidates in the UTME can also impact cut-off marks. If the average score of candidates in a particular year is high, universities may raise their cut-off marks to ensure that only the best candidates are admitted.
Lastly, admission quotas set by universities determine the number of students they can admit. Institutions with fewer spaces tend to have higher cut-off marks to manage the large pool of applicants.
How Universities Set Their Cut-off Marks for JAMB 2025/2026 Candidates
Once JAMB announces the general cut-off mark, universities conduct internal deliberations to set cut-off marks for each course. These cut-off marks are influenced by the institution’s policies and the competitiveness of the programs offered. The cut-off mark may vary significantly across courses within the same university. For example, a university might set a cut-off mark of 240 for Medicine, 200 for Engineering, and 180 for Education courses.
Furthermore, it’s important to remember that universities may conduct post-UTME exams to further screen candidates. In these cases, the post-UTME score is often combined with the JAMB score to calculate the aggregate score used for admission.
Importance of Meeting the Cut-off Mark for JAMB candidates 2025/2026
Meeting the JAMB cut-off mark is a critical first step toward securing admission into a university. Nevertheless, candidates must remember that meeting the cut-off mark alone does not guarantee admission, as they must also fulfill other admission requirements. These include:
- O’level Results: Candidates must possess at least five credit passes in relevant subjects (including English and Mathematics) in their WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB examinations.
- Post-UTME Screening: Some universities require candidates to sit for a post-UTME screening test, which further determines their eligibility for admission. The scores from this test are usually combined with the JAMB UTME scores to calculate a final aggregate score.
- Course Requirements: Different courses have specific subject combinations required for admission. Therefore, candidates must ensure they meet the subject requirements for their chosen course.
Tips for JAMB Candidates 2025/2026
To improve their chances of gaining admission, candidates should consider the following tips:
- Aim Higher: Since competitive courses often have higher cut-off marks, it is advisable for candidates to aim for scores well above the minimum JAMB cut-off mark. This will increase their chances of admission.
- Research Institutions: It’s important for candidates to research the cut-off marks and admission requirements of their chosen universities and courses. This information is usually published on the university’s official website after the JAMB cut-off announcement.
- Prepare for Post-UTME: Lastly, candidates should prepare for the post-UTME screening where applicable. Good performance in this test can significantly improve a candidate’s chances of admission.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the JAMB cut-off mark for universities in the 2025/2026 academic session has been set at 140, which provides many candidates with the opportunity to apply for admission. However, students must also be aware that individual universities often set higher cut-off marks for specific courses, particularly competitive programs. To improve their chances of gaining admission, candidates should aim for higher scores in both their UTME and post-UTME exams, while ensuring they meet the specific requirements of their chosen universities and courses.
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