Every aspirant’s heart skips a beat when JAMB announces the cut-off marks, especially with the growing competitiveness of Nigerian tertiary admissions. For the 2025 academic session, JAMB has officially set a base threshold—but institutions usually go higher. Knowing this baseline and how your preferred schools adjust it is crucial.
JAMB’s policy meeting confirmed the minimums: 150 for universities, 140 for nursing colleges, and 100 for polytechnics and colleges of education (MySchoolGist, Pulse Nigeria). But that’s just the baseline—universities, depending on popularity and course demand, often require scores far above that.
In this guide, we’ll explore:
- The national baseline cut-off.
- Table breakdowns per institution type: federal universities, state universities, private universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
- Factors influencing higher cut-offs.
- Smart admission strategies for candidates with scores below the school’s cutoff.
- Practical tips to avoid mistakes, plus a robust FAQ section.
If you’re still mapping out your academic path, you might also benefit from our guide on Post-UTME requirements by institution and how to prepare for Post-UTME in 30 days.
National Minimum Cut-Off Marks for 2025
| Institution Type | JAMB Minimum Cut-Off |
|---|---|
| Universities | 150 |
| Colleges of Nursing Sciences | 140 |
| Polytechnics & Colleges of Education | 100 |
Note: These are the national baseline marks, and institutions set their own—typically higher—standards (MySchoolGist, Pulse Nigeria).
Breakdown by Institution Type
Federal Universities
Federal universities often have the highest cut-offs. For example, UI, UNILAG, and OAU typically require 200+, while Medicine, Law, and Engineering may demand even more.
These institutions consider:
- JAMB score.
- Post-UTME or faculty-specific exams.
- O’Level grades (some even weigh them heavily).
- Extras like interviews or portfolio submissions.
State Universities
These schools tend to fall in the 160–200 range, though competitive courses still push scores higher. Examples include LASU and AAU.
Private Universities
Private universities such as Covenant, Babcock, and Lead City set their cut-offs around 180–200, coupling them with added requirements like interviews, essays, and first-choice mandates (Wikipedia).
Polytechnics & Colleges of Education
Expect cut-offs generally between 100–150, depending on school reputation and program demand. Federal polytechnics in urban areas often push higher.
What Drives Higher Cut-Offs?
Several factors influence why institutions demand higher scores than JAMB’s baseline:
- Course popularity, like Medicine or Law, attracts thousands, increasing competition.
- Institutional prestige makes schools like UNILAG and OAU easy choices for high scorers.
- Academic performance trends—schools adjust cut-off marks to maintain standards.
- Past admission ratios—if a prior cycle was competitive, schools may hike up the next year’s mark.
An interesting point to note: JAMB also now mandates a minimum age of 16 for university admission, a detail many students overlook (Punch News).
Strategies for Aspiring Students
If your JAMB score is just at—or below—the national minimum:
- Check specific cut-offs for your chosen schools rather than relying on the JAMB baseline.
- Be strategic—select schools where your score meets or exceeds their cut-off.
- Consider rechecking your results if needed, or wait for supplementary admissions.
- If still below the mark, use the change-of-course/institution option via CAPS.
- Focus on schools or courses with lower competitive thresholds, or plan to retake exams if necessary.
Common Missteps to Avoid
- Mistaking national baseline for institutional cut-off—one size doesn’t fit all.
- Skipping the school’s official portal—banks and agents may post “guesses” instead of genuine figures.
- Neglecting course-specific requirements, such as subject combinations or additional screenings.
- Underestimating internal benchmarks—some faculties require high department-specific scores.
- Missing Post-UTME application deadlines after meeting cut-offs.
If you’re unsure about any of this, our comprehensive article on Post-UTME requirements helps align cut-off expectations with documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Is 150 the cut-off mark for all universities?
No—150 is just the national minimum. Most universities demand higher scores based on competitiveness and program popularity.
Q2. If I score 140, can I still be admitted?
Only if you apply to a college of education or polytechnic with that threshold. For university admission, you’ll need at least 150.
Q3. Where can I find my chosen school’s specific cut-off?
Check the school’s official admission portal or reliable educational sites. Be cautious of guesswork from unofficial sources.
Q4. Does JAMB set cut-offs for private universities?
No—private universities set their own cut-offs, usually in the 180–200 range, plus other screening requirements.
Q5. My score is below my institution’s cut-off. What can I do?
Options include: changing your course/institution on CAPS, registering for a lower-score school, or preparing to sit for JAMB again.