2025 State Universities Cut-Off Marks [UPDATED]

A state university cut-off mark is the minimum score a candidate must obtain in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to qualify for admission consideration. This score is set by individual state universities, often in alignment with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) benchmark. The cut-off mark helps institutions filter candidates for admission and ensures that only those who meet the academic standard are considered. It varies by course and department, and sometimes by year depending on competition. Scoring below the cut-off mark usually means the candidate is not eligible for the university’s post-UTME screening process or further admission steps.

Yes, cut-off marks vary significantly across different state universities and courses of study. Each state university has the autonomy to set its own cut-off mark based on several factors such as the number of applicants, departmental quotas, and the general performance of students in the UTME. Competitive courses like Medicine, Law, Engineering, and Pharmacy often have higher cut-off marks compared to courses like Education or Agricultural Science. Even within a university, different departments may set varying cut-off marks depending on their standards and capacity. Therefore, students should always check the specific cut-off mark for their preferred course and university.

In most cases, candidates who score below the official cut-off mark for a state university are not eligible for admission into their desired course. However, some universities may allow such candidates to apply for less competitive courses if slots are still available. Occasionally, supplementary admissions or change of course options are offered to students who narrowly miss the required score. It is also possible that indigene candidates may receive slight consideration in some state universities, depending on admission policies. Nonetheless, meeting or surpassing the cut-off mark significantly boosts a candidate’s chances of securing admission.