How JAMB Cut-Off Marks Are Set in 2025/2026

How JAMB Cut-Off Marks Are Set in 2025/2026; Every year, students in Nigeria take the JAMB exam to gain admission into universities, polytechnics, and other higher institutions. One important thing that decides if a student gets admission is the JAMB cut-off mark. But have you ever wondered how these JAMB cut-off marks are set? In this article, we will explain in simple words how the cut-off marks for JAMB 2025/2026 are decided and what factors affect them.

Table of Contents

What is JAMB Cut-Off Mark?

Before we talk about how the JAMB cut-off marks are set, it is important to first understand what a cut-off mark is. The JAMB cut-off mark is the minimum score you must get in the JAMB exam to be considered for admission into the school of your choice. Every school in Nigeria has its own cut-off mark based on the number of students who applied and how competitive the course is. If you score above the cut-off mark, you have a better chance of being admitted.

Why Are JAMB Cut-Off Marks Important?

The JAMB cut-off mark is very important because it helps schools decide which students will be eligible for admission. The cut-off mark ensures that only students who have passed a certain level of the exam are considered for further steps in the admission process.

If your score is below the cut-off mark, it can be hard to get admission into your preferred school. However, if you score higher than the cut-off mark, it means you have met the requirements for that school.

How Are JAMB Cut-Off Marks Set?

The JAMB cut-off marks are not just chosen randomly. Several factors are considered before they are set. Let’s look at how these cut-off marks for 2025/2026 are decided.

1. JAMB’s Meeting with School Officials

Every year, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) holds a meeting with officials from universities, polytechnics, and other higher institutions in Nigeria. In this meeting, they discuss and decide what the minimum cut-off marks for each institution will be. They look at the overall performance of students in the exam to set a fair cut-off mark for all schools.

2. Performance of Students in JAMB

The performance of students in the JAMB exam is one of the most important factors in setting the cut-off marks. If most students perform well in the exam, the cut-off marks may be higher. However, if many students score lower, the cut-off marks could be set lower to give more students the chance to gain admission.

For example, if a lot of students do well in a particular subject, like Mathematics, the cut-off mark for that subject may be set higher because more students are able to score well. On the other hand, if many students perform poorly in a subject like English, the cut-off mark for that subject may be adjusted lower.

3. Competition for Admission

The level of competition for admission in a particular school also affects the cut-off mark. If a lot of students are applying to a specific school, the cut-off mark will likely be higher. This is because the school wants to choose the best students out of many who are applying.

For example, universities like University of Lagos (UNILAG) or University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) have more applicants because they are well-known. This means they may set a higher cut-off mark because they want to select only the most qualified students.

In contrast, schools with fewer applicants may set their cut-off marks lower to give more students a chance to gain admission.

4. Nature of the Course

The type of course you are applying for also plays a role in setting the cut-off mark. Some courses, especially those in medicine, law, engineering, and pharmacy, are more competitive. Because these courses attract many applicants, the JAMB cut-off marks for these courses tend to be higher.

If you are applying for a competitive course like medicine, the cut-off mark will likely be set higher compared to a course like sociology or theater arts. This is because fewer students may apply for the less competitive courses, meaning it is easier to meet the cut-off mark.

5. Minimum and Maximum Cut-Off Marks

JAMB sets a minimum cut-off mark that all universities and polytechnics must follow. This is the lowest score a student can get and still be considered for admission into a school. For 2025/2026, JAMB might decide that the minimum cut-off mark for universities is 160, for polytechnics, it might be 120, and for colleges of education, it could be 100.

Each school then has the option to raise its cut-off mark above the minimum. For example, a top university like University of Ibadan (UI) may decide that its cut-off mark will be 250, even though the minimum set by JAMB is 160. This is because they want to ensure that only the best students are admitted.

6. Availability of Space in the School

The number of available spaces in each school also affects the cut-off mark. Schools that have more space for students may set a lower cut-off mark because they can admit more students. Schools with fewer spaces may set a higher cut-off mark to ensure that only the most qualified students are admitted.

For example, if a university has limited space for students, it might decide to increase the cut-off mark to reduce the number of students applying. On the other hand, if a polytechnic has more spaces, they might lower the cut-off mark to give more students the chance to gain admission.

7. School’s Own Admission Policy

Each school has its own admission policy. This means that even though JAMB sets the minimum cut-off mark, each school can decide to raise it based on their own requirements. For example, some schools may give extra points to students who have special skills, like sports or music talents. Others may have special cut-off marks for students from the local area or region.

8. JAMB’s Decision on Adjustments

Sometimes, JAMB may decide to adjust the cut-off marks based on certain conditions. For instance, if students perform very badly in the exam, JAMB may lower the cut-off marks to make it easier for students to gain admission. If there is a high level of competition, the cut-off marks may be raised to ensure that only the most qualified students are selected.

How You Can Prepare for JAMB Cut-Off Marks

Knowing how the JAMB cut-off marks are set can help you prepare for the exam better. If you understand that competition and performance affect the cut-off, you will know how important it is to score high in the exam. Here are some tips to help you:

Study hard: The more you study, the higher your score will be, which means you are more likely to meet the cut-off mark.
Understand the exam format: Knowing what to expect in the exam will help you perform better.
Practice past questions: By practicing past questions, you will get a feel for the types of questions that come up.
Stay updated: Keep checking for updates on JAMB’s website or social media to know the official cut-off mark for your preferred school.

Conclusion

Setting the JAMB cut-off mark is a careful process that considers many factors such as student performance, competition, the nature of courses, and the school’s own requirements. If you are preparing for JAMB in 2025/2026, it is important to aim for a high score to meet the cut-off mark and increase your chances of gaining admission. Keep working hard and stay focused on your goal.