JAMB Cut-Off Marks 2026: Policy Meeting and What Candidates Should Know
Summary
JAMB will decide 2026 admission cut-off policy at its May 11 meeting. Learn what that means, how cut-offs work, and what candidates should do now.
JAMB will hold its 2026 admission policy meeting on Monday, 11 May 2026. The meeting is where minimum acceptable UTME scores and admission guidelines for the 2026/2027 session are expected to be agreed with tertiary institutions and education regulators.
This means candidates should not treat any circulating 2026 cut-off list as final until the policy meeting outcome is confirmed by JAMB and the institutions involved.
What the Policy Meeting Decides
The policy meeting normally sets the national admission framework for universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and other tertiary institutions.
- Minimum UTME marks: The lowest acceptable admission scores for different categories of institutions.
- Admission guidelines: Rules institutions must follow when processing candidates.
- Institutional decisions: Each school can still set higher departmental cut-offs after the national minimum is agreed.
- Admission timelines: The meeting helps shape how the admission cycle will proceed.
What Candidates Should Know Now
A national minimum cut-off is not the same as a departmental cut-off. Competitive courses such as Medicine, Law, Nursing, Pharmacy, Engineering, Accounting and Computer Science can require much higher scores than the general minimum.
Your admission chance depends on your UTME score, O'Level results, course competition, Post-UTME or screening performance, available quota and the rules of your chosen institution.
How to Prepare Before Final Cut-Offs Are Released
- Check your UTME result and keep your details safe.
- Review your chosen institution and course requirements.
- Use the JAMB iBASS brochure to confirm subject combinations and course requirements.
- Monitor your admission profile through the JAMB e-Facility portal.
- Prepare for Post-UTME or screening instead of waiting for forms to be announced.
- Be ready to consider a change of course or institution if your score is far below the likely competition level.
Avoid Fake Cut-Off Lists
Do not pay anyone for a guaranteed admission list, special cut-off mark or private JAMB upgrade. JAMB scores and admission processing are handled through official systems, and institutions publish their own screening instructions when ready.
If a school has not released its departmental cut-off or screening notice, wait for the official announcement from that institution before paying fees or submitting documents.
Bottom Line
The May 11 policy meeting should clarify the national minimum admission standards for 2026/2027. Until then, candidates should use official JAMB tools, verify course requirements and prepare seriously for the next stage of admission.
