The JAMB cut-off mark is the minimum score a candidate must achieve in the UTME to be eligible for admission consideration into a Nigerian tertiary institution.
JAMB has not announced cut-off marks for 2027. They are set at the Board’s annual policy meeting, which held on May 11 in 2026.
The two types of JAMB cut-off marks
The first is the general cut-off mark, set by JAMB at its national policy meeting.
The second is the departmental cut-off mark, set individually by each institution for specific courses.
General cut-off marks: what is confirmed so far
For the 2026 admission exercise, JAMB fixed 150 as the minimum score for universities and colleges of nursing, and 100 for polytechnics and monotechnics.
| Institution type | 2026 minimum score |
|---|---|
| Universities | 150 |
| Colleges of nursing | 150 |
| Polytechnics and monotechnics | 100 |
The 2027 figures will be confirmed after the next policy meeting.
However, scoring the general cut-off does not guarantee admission. It simply makes a candidate eligible for consideration.
Most universities, especially federal and state institutions, set much higher departmental cut-off marks for competitive courses.
Your target score should be based on the departmental cut-off for your desired course, not the general cut-off.
Departmental cut-off marks by course (estimates)
These figures are approximate ranges based on recent years. Actual cut-off marks vary by institution and year.
| Course | Federal | State |
|---|---|---|
| Medicine & Surgery | 250 to 280+ | 220 to 250 |
| Law | 240 to 270+ | 200 to 240 |
| Pharmacy | 220 to 260 | 200 to 230 |
| Nursing | 220 to 260 | 200 to 230 |
| Engineering | 200 to 250 | 180 to 220 |
| Computer Science | 180 to 220 | 160 to 200 |
| Accounting | 180 to 220 | 160 to 200 |
| Mass Communication | 180 to 220 | 160 to 200 |
Broader groups: Business Administration and Sciences, 200 to 220+. Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities, 180 to 200+.
What score should candidates aim for?
Candidates are advised not to aim for the minimum cut-off alone, as this leaves little room for error in a highly competitive admission process.
A safer strategy is to target at least 250 and above for competitive courses such as Medicine and Law, 220 and above for moderately competitive courses, and 200 and above for less competitive ones.
This gives candidates a comfortable margin and significantly increases their chances of admission.
How to choose your institutions
Candidates are encouraged to use their four available choices strategically. This could mean a dream institution as the first choice, a realistic option as the second, a safer option as the third, and a near-guaranteed option as the fourth.
Private universities and polytechnics also offer quality education with less competition, and candidates should not limit themselves unnecessarily to the most competitive options.
Frequently asked questions
What is the JAMB cut-off mark for 2027? JAMB has not announced it. The 2026 minimums were 150 for universities and nursing colleges and 100 for polytechnics.
Is the general cut-off enough for admission? No. It only makes a candidate eligible. Institutions set higher departmental cut-offs for most courses.
When will the 2027 cut-off be announced? After JAMB’s annual policy meeting. The 2026 meeting held on May 11.
Start preparing with the JAMB 2027 syllabus and study plan, and avoid the 6 common JAMB preparation mistakes. Read the JAMB 2027 registration guide to know the steps and dates, and note that profile creation begins December 10, 2026.
Digital Operations Manager at The Students Forum Nigeria.
