PeterThe JAMB 2026 cut off mark has been released for Polytechnics, Colleges and Universities. If you’re in any of these categories and want to know the cut off mark of your particular institution, then keep reading.
Hundreds of thousands of students every year are waiting anxiously to hear this announcement in Nigeria. Cut Off Marks will determine your next line of action, i.e., whether you are offered post-UTME, given admission, or told to seek your fortune elsewhere.
In this write-up, a breakdown of everything you need about the JAMB 2026 cut-off mark will be created and how it will affect your chances at gaining admission, what to expect of each of the different institution types and what to do in case your score falls below the mark.
Are you a first timer JAMB or you are old candidate that have appeared in the exam before? In either way, this guide shall help you know what to do next.
Official JAMB 2026 Cut-Off Marks: What You Need to Know
The jamb cut off mark for this year (2025/2026) has been revealed by JAMB officials. See the cut off marks for each academic institution below.
Universities: 150
Polytechnics: 100
Colleges of Education: 100
Colleges of Nursing Sciences: 140
It is worth mentioning that these are minimum scores.
It is important for you to note that the institutions that offer several competitive courses will always have their cut off mark higher than some others. So it is important that you do some personal research before you enrol or register for such schools.
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What is the JAMB cut-off mark?
JAMB cut off mark is used to refer to the least acceptable mark that any student can score in order to be accepted into a university. It is a standard score that is usually set by JAMB and the universities that you’re enrolling for.
By achieving this score or above it, you will be qualified to progress to the next round of the admission procedure that typically consists of the Post-UTME examination.
Why Cut-Off Marks Matter
A JAMB score plays a very, very important role in university admission in Nigeria. It identifies your eligibility for Post-UTME or screening, and it is indeed a major determinant in the final selection. Cut-off marks deny a chance to all those candidates who do not reach a certain academic level in their academic performance.
Factors Influencing the 2026 JAMB Cut-Off Mark
There are a lot of factors that can influence how high JAMB or the universities set their cut off mark.
1. Course Demand: There are some courses that have high demand by students. Some of them include medicine, law, and engineering and because of their competition, they usually are hard to get.
2. Institution Capacity: Some universities or Polytechnics usually enroll a few students every year. Because this number is very few, the institutions normally set their cut off mark to a very high score.
3. Academic Reputation: A large number of students submit cut-off marks so that they can get into great institutions.
4. Location: The cut-off marks in urban institutions are high as compared to the cut-off marks in rural institutions.
5. Facilities: Institutions that are well equipped will have an added number of candidates, and it creates competition.
6. Applicants: An increase in the volume of applicants can raise the cut-off mark upwards.
7. UTME Performance Trends: In the event of overall good performance in the UTME, institutions might increase cut-off marks.
8. Institutional Policies: Certain schools readjust the benchmarks in relation to internal admission standards.
9. Catchment Area & Educational Disadvantage Zones: There are schools that will give lower cut-off marks to a candidate who belongs to a certain state or certain territory to achieve inclusiveness.
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How Institutions Use the JAMB 2026 Cut Off mark
After the general JAMB 2026 cut off mark has been announced, the individual schools determine their minimum. This is referred to as the institutional cut off mark. It is a sieve. Failure to match means that you will not even be invited to post-UTME or be considered to get admission.
There is even a departmental cut off mark in some schools. For instance:
UNIBEN can define 200 as general, yet medicine can be 250 and mass communication 230.
It is not only your score compared to the cutoff. Its comparison is also done with the other candidates who placed an application in the same course. That is the reason why when they reach slightly above the cutoff, it does not guarantee them an admission.
What to do in the event that your score is below the cutoff?
Don’t panic. These are your choices:
1. Take a Change of Course or Institution: Unlike in the past, you can change your course or institution of first choice in case your score is not good enough.
2. Research on Polytechnics or Colleges of Education: These have lower scores but are also quality educational institutions.
3. Wait for supplementary admission: Certain schools have a second or third admission run.
4. Prepare again (next year): Use the additional time to prepare better.
5. Find out about vocational training or vocational diplomas: Earn skills as you consider your next educational milestone.
On Top Of The Jamb 2026 Cut-off Mark: The Other Admission Requirements
Passing the JAMB 2025 cutoff mark is not all that is required. These are other things that may affect your admission:
1. O-level Results: Good results in the appropriate subjects (typically five credits, comprising English and mathematics) are indispensable.
2. Post-UTME screening: Another supplemental test or interview that would decide on the knowledge of the student and his/her appropriateness is conducted by most schools.
3. Direct Entry: Indirect Entry: Holders of qualifications at A-level, National Diploma (ND) or Higher National Diploma (HND) who would like to continue their full-time programmes in the second or third year will be admitted by direct entry.
4. Catchment Area: In certain universities they will first put emphasis on the nearby candidates in their area of location.
5. Recommendations: The very good letters of recommendation are capable of increasing your application.
Conclusion
The Jamb 2026 cut off mark is very important in your journey towards tertiary education in Nigeria.
Although the minimum scores give you somewhat of a baseline, the higher the scores, the better your probability of getting in.
Now it is very important you know one thing. You will not be considered for admission based on your jamb score only. Other factors like Post-UTME, and even your O-level result play a vital role in your admission process. It is left for you to find an efficient study method and explore other possibilities for admission.
Good luck and Godspeed!
Peter
