For 2026/2027, JAMB has published the cut-off mark information prospective students need before applying. Knowing where that threshold sits early saves time later in the admission cycle and avoids last-minute confusion over eligibility.
Collaborating with various tertiary institutions, the board will determine the cut-off marks for the 2026 admission season on June 24 in a policy meeting. None of this changes depending on how strong the rest of a candidate’s application looks.
Aiming for a Standardized Admission Process
The JAMB’s Head of Public Affairs and Protocol, Fabian Benjamin, broke the news in the board’s weekly bulletin from Abuja.
The meeting’s agenda will primarily focus on establishing an “acceptable minimum admissible score to be applied in all admissions to be undertaken by all Nigeria tertiary institutions.”
Major Talking Points of the Policy Meeting
As per the bulletin, “During the meeting, stakeholders will discuss critical issues emanating from the just-concluded UTME, sale of DE application documents, in addition to setting the tone for the 2026/2027 admission exercise in tertiary institutions.”
Key Stakeholders in the Meeting
Chaired by the Minister of Education, the policy meeting will have representation from all heads of tertiary institutions in Nigeria, along with relevant regulatory bodies.
The discussion will extend beyond the presentation of the Registrar of JAMB on the just concluded UTME, focusing on broader issues of national importance, particularly concerning the education sector.
Aims and Expectations of the Meeting
The policy meeting aims to set clear admission guidelines, present and analyze application statistics, evaluate candidates’ performance, and assess the overall 2026 admission exercise.
It will set the minimum admissible score for all admissions across Nigerian tertiary institutions.
A New Approach to Cut-off Marks
In 2021, JAMB revolutionized admission processes by granting tertiary institutions the liberty to set their minimum cut-off marks.
However, the board retained the right to approve these cut-off marks. JAMB’s Registrar, Is-haq Oloyede, clarified that “Institutions have now been given a chance to decide cut-off marks. There will be no cut-off from JAMB.”
With the upcoming meeting, stakeholders are eager to see how this evolving process will shape the future of tertiary admissions in Nigeria.
Reading JAMB’s Cut-Off Mark Correctly
JAMB’s cut-off mark decides who can be considered, nothing more. The rest of the admission outcome depends on how well a candidate handles the steps that follow.