JAMB Cut-Off Mark Is 150 for 2026 But Your School May Reject You With That Score
The cut-off mark for 2026 university admission is 150. JAMB made it official on May 11, 2026, during the policy meeting held in Abuja.
But many candidates are misunderstanding what that actually means.
The 150 approved by JAMB is only the national minimum benchmark for universities. It does not guarantee admission into any institution. Schools like University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University, and Ahmadu Bello University still decide their own departmental requirements.
For competitive courses such as Medicine, Law, Pharmacy, Nursing, and Engineering, candidates usually need far higher scores to stand a realistic chance of admission. In many cases, the required score starts from 220 upward depending on the school and course.
What the approved minimum scores mean for each institution category:
Universities: 150
Polytechnics and monotechnics: 100
Colleges of Nursing Sciences: 140
A minimum score of 100 for polytechnics means more candidates now have access to alternative admission options outside universities, especially those with lower scores.
Candidates should also pay close attention to admission timelines and screening updates from their chosen institutions. Missing Post-UTME registration or document verification can affect admission chances regardless of JAMB score.
The next step for candidates is to check the official website of their first-choice institution and confirm the departmental cut-off mark for their course. Many universities set internal benchmarks above the national minimum approved by JAMB.
Candidates who scored between 150 and 199 may still have opportunities in some state universities, private universities, and less competitive courses. Those with scores above 200 are in a stronger position, but admission will still depend on Post-UTME performance and available quotas.
Candidates are also advised to monitor the JAMB CAPS portal regularly, as admission updates usually appear there first.