The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is responsible for conducting the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and coordinating admissions into Nigerian tertiary institutions.
The JAMB cut off off mark for the 2026/2027 admission session is one of the most important things candidates need to know before applying for admission into a Nigerian university, polytechnic, college of education or other tertiary institution.
For the 2026/2027 admission session, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) approved a minimum tolerable UTME score of 150 for universities and Colleges of Nursing, while 100 was approved for polytechnics, colleges of education, colleges of agriculture and Innovation Enterprise Institutions (IEIs).
However, candidates should understand that the JAMB national minimum is not the same as the admission cut off mark of every institution or course.
Institutions are allowed to set higher minimum scores, and competitive courses may have considerably higher requirements.
In this article, we explain the JAMB cut off mark for 2026/2027, the difference between JAMB’s national minimum and institutional cut off marks, what happens if your score is below your preferred school’s requirement, and how to check official admission information.
Important: Always confirm your institution’s latest admission requirements from its official website or admission portal before making an admission decision.
JAMB Cut Off Mark for 2026/2027
The 2026 JAMB Policy Meeting approved the following minimum tolerable admission scores for the 2026/2027 admission session:
| Institution Type | 2026/2027 Minimum Score |
|---|---|
| Universities | 150 |
| Colleges of Nursing | 150 |
| Polytechnics | 100 |
| Monotechnics | 100 |
| Colleges of Education | 100 |
| Colleges of Agriculture | 100 |
| Innovation Enterprise Institutions (IEIs) | 100 |
These are the national minimum scores. An institution may choose to require a score higher than the national minimum for admission into a particular programme.
JAMB’s official policy information confirms that institutions that had already established higher minimum scores for their programmes may retain those higher requirements.
Check the official JAMB website for updates
What Is JAMB Cut Off Mark?
The JAMB cut off mark is the minimum UTME score used as part of the eligibility requirements for admission consideration.
It is important to understand that meeting the minimum cut off mark does not automatically guarantee admission.
For example, a candidate who scores 150 has reached the national minimum for universities for the 2026/2027 session. However, that does not mean the candidate will automatically be admitted into every university or every course.
A university can set a higher institutional or programme requirement.
Other admission factors may also apply, including:
- UTME score
- O’Level results
- Choice of institution
- Choice of course
- Available admission spaces
- Institutional screening requirements
- Programme-specific requirements
- Competition for the programme
JAMB National Minimum vs School Cut Off Mark
One of the most common mistakes candidates make is assuming that the JAMB national minimum is the exact score required by every university.
It is not.
The national minimum tolerable score provides the minimum benchmark below which an institution cannot ordinarily admit candidates for the relevant category.
Individual institutions can set higher requirements.
For example, if the national minimum for universities is 150, a university may still announce a higher minimum score for its admission exercise.
Therefore, candidates should always check the official admission requirements of their preferred institution.
In simple terms:
JAMB national minimum ≠ guaranteed admission score.
The national benchmark tells you the minimum threshold approved for the institution category, while the institution and programme may have additional or higher requirements.
JAMB Cut Off Mark for Federal Universities 2026/2027
There is no single institutional cut off mark that applies to all federal universities.
Each university may determine its admission requirements in accordance with the applicable JAMB admission policy and its own programme requirements.
Candidates should therefore avoid relying on old lists circulating online.
For example, figures such as 180, 200 or 220 that may have been used by particular universities in previous admission sessions should not automatically be treated as the confirmed 2026/2027 requirement.
Before applying, check your university’s official admission portal for the current session.
Popular Federal Universities Candidates Search For
Candidates commonly search for the cut off marks of universities such as:
- University of Ibadan (UI)
- University of Lagos (UNILAG)
- Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)
- Ahmadu Bello University (ABU)
- University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)
- University of Benin (UNIBEN)
- University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)
- Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA)
- Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA)
- University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT)
Important: Do not assume that the figures published for previous years are the official 2026/2027 requirements. Always confirm from the university’s current admission announcement.
JAMB Cut Off Mark for State Universities 2026/2027
State universities also determine their admission requirements within the applicable national admission framework.
The minimum score may differ from one institution or programme to another.
Some of the state universities candidates frequently search for include:
- Lagos State University (LASU)
- Delta State University (DELSU)
- Ekiti State University (EKSU)
- Rivers State University (RSU)
- Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU)
- Ambrose Alli University (AAU)
- Abia State University (ABSU)
- Imo State University (IMSU)
Candidates should check the official admission portal of their preferred university for the latest 2026/2027 requirements.
JAMB Cut Off Mark for Private Universities 2026/2027
Private universities also have their own admission requirements.
Although some private universities may accept candidates with scores close to the national minimum, candidates should not assume that every private university uses the same cut off mark.
Admission requirements can depend on the university, course and available spaces.
If you are considering a private university, check its official admission portal for the current requirements before applying.
JAMB Cut Off Mark for Polytechnics 2026/2027
The national minimum tolerable UTME score for polytechnics is 100 for the 2026/2027 admission session.
However, a particular polytechnic or programme may require a higher score.
This means a candidate should not assume that scoring 100 automatically guarantees admission into every polytechnic.
Candidates interested in polytechnic admission should check the specific institution’s admission requirements before applying.
Some of the polytechnics candidates frequently search for include:
- Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH)
- Federal Polytechnic, Nekede
- Auchi Polytechnic
- Kaduna Polytechnic
- Federal Polytechnic, Ede
- Federal Polytechnic, Bida
- Federal Polytechnic, Offa
JAMB Cut Off Mark for Colleges of Education
The national minimum tolerable score for Colleges of Education is 100 for the 2026/2027 admission session.
However, individual institutions may establish additional admission requirements.
Candidates should check the admission notice of their preferred college before applying.
What Is the Cut Off Mark for Medicine and Surgery?
Medicine and Surgery is one of the most competitive programmes in Nigerian universities.
There is no single JAMB score that guarantees admission into Medicine and Surgery across all universities.
Although the national minimum for universities is 150, candidates applying for highly competitive programmes such as Medicine and Surgery should check the specific university’s current admission requirements and screening process.
The same principle applies to other competitive programmes such as:
- Law
- Pharmacy
- Nursing
- Medical Laboratory Science
- Dentistry
- Engineering
- Computer Science
Do not confuse the national minimum with the score required to be competitive for a particular programme.
What Is the Cut Off Mark for Law?
There is no single national departmental cut off mark for Law that applies to every university.
The admission requirements can vary between institutions and admission sessions.
Candidates applying for Law should therefore check the current requirements of their preferred university rather than relying on a general figure found online.
How to Calculate Your JAMB Aggregate Score
There is no single aggregate-score formula used by every Nigerian university.
Different institutions may use different admission screening methods.
Depending on the institution, the admission process may consider factors such as:
- UTME score
- Post-UTME or screening result
- O’Level results
- Required subjects
- Programme requirements
- Other institutional admission criteria
Therefore, candidates should not use a general formula such as:
(JAMB Score ÷ 8) + (Post-UTME Score ÷ 2)
unless that formula has specifically been published by their institution.
For example, If a university publishes a particular aggregate formula for its 2026/2027 admission exercise, candidates should use that institution’s official formula rather than a formula copied from another university.
This is important because using the wrong formula can give a candidate an incorrect idea of their admission standing.
What Happens If Your JAMB Score Is Below Your Preferred University’s Requirement?
If your UTME score is below the requirement published by your preferred institution, you may still have several options depending on the stage of the admission process.
1. Consider Change of Institution
JAMB provides a Change of Course/Institution service through its official platform.
Candidates should check whether the service is available and whether their intended institution is accepting applications before making a change.
JAMB Change of Course/Institution Portal
2. Consider Another Course
If your score is not sufficient for your preferred course, you may consider another programme whose requirements you meet.
However, candidates should confirm that the new course is available at the institution and that they meet the required UTME/O’Level subject combinations.
3. Consider a Polytechnic or College of Education
Candidates who do not meet the requirements of their preferred university may consider other tertiary institutions, including polytechnics and colleges of education.
Remember that these institutions also have their own admission requirements.
4. Consider Other Universities
Candidates may also research other universities whose admission requirements are compatible with their UTME score and qualifications.
Do not make a change solely because of an unofficial cut-off list. Confirm the requirement from the institution first.
Does Meeting the JAMB Cut Off Mark Guarantee Admission?
No.
Meeting the minimum cut off mark only means that you have met a particular minimum requirement. It does not mean that admission is automatic.
JAMB has emphasized that the minimum tolerable score is a benchmark and does not amount to automatic admission.
Admission can depend on several additional factors, including institutional requirements, programme requirements and available spaces.
Factors That Can Affect Admission
Your admission outcome may depend on factors such as:
UTME Score
Your UTME score is an important part of the admission process, but it is not necessarily the only factor.
O’Level Results
Candidates must meet the required O’Level subject and credit requirements for their chosen programme.
Course of Study
Some programmes are more competitive than others and may have higher institutional or programme requirements.
Number of Applicants
The number of candidates applying for a programme can affect how competitive admission becomes.
Available Spaces
Universities and other institutions have admission capacities for their programmes.
Institutional Screening
Some institutions conduct Post-UTME examinations, while others may use different screening procedures. Candidates should follow the official process announced by their institution.
Subject Combination
Candidates must also have the appropriate UTME and O’Level subjects for their intended course.
Frequently Asked Questions About JAMB Cut Off Mark 2026/2027
What is the JAMB cut off mark for 2026/2027?
The 2026/2027 national minimum tolerable UTME score is 150 for universities and Colleges of Nursing and 100 for polytechnics, monotechnics, colleges of education, colleges of agriculture and Innovation Enterprise Institutions.
Is 150 a good JAMB score?
A score of 150 meets the 2026/2027 national minimum for university admission consideration, but it does not guarantee admission into a particular university or course.
Always check your institution’s requirements.
Can I gain admission with 160?
It depends on the institution, course and other admission requirements. A score of 160 is above the national minimum for universities, but individual institutions or programmes may require higher scores.
Can I gain admission with 180?
Yes, admission may be possible depending on the institution, programme and other requirements. However, 180 does not guarantee admission into every university or course.
What is the minimum JAMB score for universities in 2026?
The approved national minimum tolerable score for universities is 150 for the 2026/2027 admission session.
What is the minimum JAMB score for polytechnics in 2026?
The approved national minimum tolerable score for polytechnics is 100 for the 2026/2027 admission session.
What is the minimum JAMB score for Colleges of Education in 2026?
The approved national minimum tolerable score for Colleges of Education is 100.
Does JAMB set the exact cut off mark for every university?
No. JAMB establishes the national admission benchmark, while individual institutions may set higher minimum requirements for their programmes.
Can I change my institution after seeing my JAMB score?
JAMB provides a Change of Course/Institution service. Candidates should check the official JAMB portal for availability and applicable requirements.
Is Post-UTME compulsory for every university?
Not necessarily. Admission screening procedures vary between institutions. Candidates should check the official admission instructions of their chosen institution.
The JAMB cut off mark for the 2026/2027 admission session is 150 for universities and Colleges of Nursing, while 100 applies to polytechnics, monotechnics, colleges of education, colleges of agriculture and Innovation Enterprise Institutions.
However, these figures are national minimum tolerable scores, not guaranteed admission scores.
Your university or programme may have a higher requirement, so it is important to check the latest official admission information before making a decision.
If you are waiting for admission, keep checking your institution’s admission portal and your JAMB CAPS profile for updates.
Visit the official JAMB website
Check JAMB CAPS and admission information