JAMB cut off mark is one of the first things candidates check after receiving their UTME result. The important point is that the national minimum score set by JAMB is not always the same as the final departmental cut-off used by a particular university or other institution.
For the 2026 admission exercise, JAMB’s approved minimum tolerable admission score is 150 for universities and Colleges of Nursing. The minimum is 100 for polytechnics, monotechnics, colleges of education, colleges of agriculture and Innovation Enterprise Institutions. These are minimum admission thresholds, not guarantees of admission.
What Is the JAMB Cut Off Mark for 2026?
JAMB’s 2026 national minimum tolerable scores are:
- Universities: 150
- Colleges of Nursing: 150
- Polytechnics: 100
- Monotechnics: 100
- Colleges of Education: 100
- Colleges of Agriculture: 100
- Innovation Enterprise Institutions: 100
Scoring the national minimum does not automatically mean that a candidate will be offered admission. Institutions and programmes can set higher competitive requirements depending on the course, institution and admission process.
JAMB Cut Off Mark vs School Cut Off Mark
This is where many candidates get confused. JAMB sets the national minimum tolerable score, while individual institutions can have more competitive admission requirements. A candidate who scores 150 may meet the national university threshold but still need a much higher score to compete for a popular course at a competitive university.
For that reason, do not use 150 as a target score if you are applying for a competitive course. A higher UTME score gives you a stronger position, although admission also depends on the institution’s screening process and other requirements.
Can I Gain Admission With 150 in JAMB?
Yes, a score of 150 meets the 2026 national minimum tolerable score for universities, but it does not guarantee admission into a particular university or course. Your chances depend on the institution, programme, available spaces and the admission requirements applied by the institution.
What About 100 in JAMB?
A score of 100 meets the 2026 national minimum tolerable score for polytechnics, monotechnics, colleges of education, colleges of agriculture and Innovation Enterprise Institutions. Candidates should still check the specific institution and programme requirements before making admission decisions.
What Should You Do After Checking Your JAMB Score?
- Check your UTME result carefully.
- Confirm the institution and course you selected.
- Check the institution’s current admission requirements.
- Monitor your JAMB CAPS admission status.
- Upload your O’Level result where required.
- Accept an admission offer on CAPS when you are satisfied with it.
If you have not checked your result yet, see our JAMB Result Checker 2026 guide. For admission updates, use our JAMB CAPS 2026 guide and our JAMB Admission Status 2026 guide.
Check the Official JAMB Requirements
JAMB remains the authoritative source for the national minimum tolerable scores and admission process. The Board’s website currently lists 150 for universities and Colleges of Nursing and 100 for polytechnics and the other listed institution types.
Quick Answer
JAMB cut off mark for universities in 2026 is 150, while the minimum for polytechnics and several other institution types is 100. However, meeting the national minimum does not guarantee admission. Always check the specific institution and course requirements before making your final choice.