JAMB sets a minimum score of 150 for colleges and 100 for polytechnics as the cut-off mark for entry. However, many schools have higher standards for admission. JAMB 2026 Cut-Off Marks
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has set a national minimum of 150 for universities and 100 for polytechnics for the 2026 admissions procedure in Nigeria.
The ruling establishes a standard admission guideline for tertiary institutions across the country, allowing universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education to begin preparing for the upcoming admission season.
Top institutions sometimes keep higher cut-off grades for competitive courses, notwithstanding the authorized national baseline.
JAMB National Minimum Benchmark for 2026
For the 2026 entry cycle, the recommended minimum admission scores are:
- Universities – 150
- Polytechnics – 100
- Colleges of Education: usually approximately 100
Candidates who score below these criteria may be ineligible for admission to the individual universities.
The benchmark is the minimum acceptable score established nationwide; however, universities might set higher criteria based on admission procedures.
Read Also: JAMB Policy Meeting Today – Sets To Determine Minimum Cut-Off Marks
Why do many universities have higher cut-off marks?
Although JAMB accepted 150 as the minimum criterion for universities, several renowned Nigerian schools have typically used higher cut-off grades ranging from 160 to 200 or more.
This is mostly because of the following:
- A large number of candidates.
- There are limited admittance spots.
- Competitive courses.
- Institutional admission standards
Courses like this:
- Medicine & Surgery
- Law
- Nursing.
- Pharmacy.
- Engineering
- Computer science
Cut-Off Marks for Institutions and Departments
Candidates sometimes conflate institutional and departmental cutoff marks.
Institutional Cut-off Mark
This is the typical minimum score necessary before applicants may participate in a school’s Post UTME or screening exercise.
For instance, a university might set the following:
- 160 for the general admission screening.
- 180 or 200 for highly competitive colleges.
Department Cut-Off Mark
Departmental cut-off marks are often issued following screening activities and depend on:
- Candidates’ performance
- Number of applications.
- Available admission quota.
- Competition within departments.
This explains why an applicant may qualify for Post UTME yet not be accepted into a competitive course.
Universities Expected to Maintain Higher Benchmarks
Several prestigious universities in Nigeria are likely to retain cut-off grades above the national minimum cutoff mark.
Examples include institutions such as the following:
- University of Lagos.
- University of Ibadan.
- Obafemi Awolowo University
- Ahmadu Bello University
- University of Nigeria
- Federal University of Technology, Akure
- Federal University of Technology, Owerri
- Federal University of Technology, Minna
These universities frequently set cut-off levels between 180 and 220 for certain programs.
What Candidates Should Do
Candidates should not depend exclusively on the national benchmarks published by JAMB.
Rather, candidates should:
- Verify their selected institution’s official cut-off mark.
- Check departmental entrance criteria.
- Prepare appropriately for post-UTME testing.
- Consider less competitive courses if necessary.
Implications for 2026 Admission Applicants
The statement provides optimism for students with moderate UTME results, particularly those applying to colleges with flexible admission standards.
Candidates aiming for extremely competitive institutions and courses, on the other hand, should aim for better marks in order to improve their chances of admission.
Admission to Nigerian higher institutions remains tough, especially for government universities and professional programs.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has approved 150 as the national minimum threshold for universities and 100 for polytechnics, kicking off the 2026 admissions process.
While the benchmark serves as a basis for admission eligibility, many institutions are expected to maintain higher institutional and departmental cut-off scores depending on competition and available space.
Candidates are consequently urged to remain up to date with official school admission requirements and appropriately prepare for the subsequent phases of the admission process.