2026 UTME Cut-Off Marks: JAMB Decides After 26 Days
JAMB has finally announced the 2026 UTME cut-off marks, 26 days after the exam. Here’s what the benchmarks mean and what you must do next to secure admission.
If you sat for this year’s exam, you’re probably refreshing your phone every five minutes for news about the 2026 UTME cut-off marks. Good news — JAMB has finally made the decision, 26 days after the exam ended. In this post, we break down what the new cut-off marks mean for you, how they compare to last year, and what your next steps should be towards securing admission.
What Are the 2026 UTME Cut-Off Marks?
According to Business News Nigeria, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) announced the 2026 UTME cut-off marks during its annual policy meeting with stakeholders. The benchmarks are agreed upon by Vice-Chancellors, Rectors and Provosts — not JAMB alone.
For reference, the 2025 cut-off mark was 150 for universities and 140 for colleges of nursing. Therefore, candidates should expect similar benchmarks this year, although individual institutions can set higher minimums.
Cut-Off Marks by Institution Type
- Universities: Minimum benchmark for admission consideration
- Polytechnics & Colleges of Education: Lower threshold than universities
- Colleges of Nursing: Special benchmark set separately
Why the Cut-Off Mark Is Just the Beginning
However, scoring above the cut-off does not automatically guarantee admission. Each university sets its own departmental cut-off, which is often higher — especially for competitive courses like Medicine, Law, Nursing and Engineering. Furthermore, your Post-UTME and O’Level grades also count heavily.
In addition, JAMB recently extended the deadline for institutions to submit Post-UTME scores, giving schools more breathing room to finalise admission lists.
What You Should Do Next
- Check your institution’s official departmental cut-off mark
- Prepare seriously for Post-UTME screening
- Ensure your O’Level results are uploaded on CAPS
- Monitor your JAMB CAPS portal daily for admission updates
How to check JAMB CAPS admission status
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official 2026 UTME cut-off mark for universities?
JAMB, in agreement with Vice-Chancellors, set the general cut-off after its policy meeting. Most universities maintain 150 as the minimum, but top schools require higher scores.
Does meeting the cut-off mean I’m admitted?
No. The cut-off is only the minimum eligibility benchmark. Admission depends on your overall aggregate, including Post-UTME and O’Level results.
Where can I confirm my admission status?
Log in to the JAMB CAPS portal at portal.jamb.gov.ng using your JAMB profile details to track your admission in real time.
Don’t wait around! Visit the official JAMB portal now to verify your status, and share this post with classmates and friends who also wrote the 2026 UTME. Your admission journey is just getting started — stay informed and stay ready!
