Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, commonly known as ABUAD, sets a general JAMB cut off mark of 180 for candidates seeking admission into the 2026/2027 academic session. This means every applicant must score at least 180 in the UTME before the university considers them eligible to proceed to the next stage of the admission process, which is the Post-UTME screening. However, the 180 mark only applies as a baseline entry requirement. Individual courses carry their own departmental cut off marks that go well above this figure, especially for programmes with high competition such as Medicine and Surgery, Law, and Nursing Science.
This article breaks down what the ABUAD JAMB cut off mark means, how it differs from department to department, and what else factors into whether a candidate secures admission.
What The General Cut Off Mark Means
The general cut off mark of 180 is the minimum UTME score JAMB and the university agree on for candidates who list ABUAD as their first choice institution. Scoring below 180 automatically disqualifies a candidate from applying to ABUAD for that admission cycle, regardless of which course they intend to study. This mark is higher than the national JAMB benchmark for university admission, which typically sits at 140, and it reflects ABUAD’s status as a private university with more selective admission standards than many public institutions.
Meeting the 180 baseline does not by itself guarantee a spot in any programme. It only qualifies a candidate to move forward and participate in ABUAD’s Post-UTME screening exercise, register for the university’s admission process, and be considered against the specific departmental cut off mark attached to their chosen course.
Departmental Cut Off Marks By Course
ABUAD does not apply a single cut off mark across all courses. Each department or faculty sets its own threshold based on the competitiveness of the programme, the number of available slots, and the volume of applications it receives. Below is a breakdown of how cut off marks typically vary by course category for the current admission cycle.
| Course Category | Examples of Courses | Typical JAMB Cut Off Mark |
|---|---|---|
| Highly competitive professional courses | Medicine and Surgery | 250 – 270 |
| Law-related programmes | Law | 220 – 250 |
| Health sciences | Nursing Science | 240 |
| Science and technology courses | Computer Science, Industrial Physics, Industrial Chemistry, Geology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Anatomy | 190 and above |
| Engineering courses | Civil, Mechanical, Electrical/Electronic, Petroleum, Mechatronics Engineering | 190 – 220 |
| Social sciences and management | Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, Mass Communication, Political Science | 180 – 200 |
| Arts and humanities | English, History, Religious Studies, Philosophy | 180 |
| Agricultural sciences | Agricultural Economics, Crop Science, Animal Science | 180 |
These figures serve as a guide based on recent admission cycles at ABUAD. The university reviews and confirms exact departmental cut off marks every admission season, so a candidate should always cross-check the current figures on the official ABUAD admission portal before applying, since marks can shift slightly from one session to another depending on subscription levels for each course.
Why Medicine, Law, And Nursing Carry Higher Cut Off Marks
Courses like Medicine and Surgery, Law, and Nursing Science consistently record the highest cut off marks at ABUAD, and this pattern is not unique to the university. These programmes attract a large number of applicants nationwide relative to the number of available admission slots, which pushes their competitive threshold higher. Medicine and Surgery in particular often requires a JAMB score in the range of 250 to 270, making it one of the hardest courses to gain admission into at ABUAD. Law follows closely, with cut off marks that frequently fall between 220 and 250, while Nursing Science generally settles around 240.
Candidates aiming for these programmes need to treat the 180 general cut off mark as only a starting point. Scoring exactly 180 or slightly above it does not place a candidate in a competitive position for Medicine, Law, or Nursing. Serious applicants for these courses typically score well above 250 in the UTME to stand a realistic chance, especially once the Post-UTME and O’Level results are factored into the final aggregate.
How ABUAD Calculates The Final Admission Score
ABUAD does not rely on the JAMB score alone when making admission decisions. After a candidate scales the JAMB cut off mark and participates in Post-UTME screening, the university combines both scores using an aggregate formula to arrive at a final admission score. The standard formula used is:
Aggregate Score = (JAMB Score ÷ 8) + (Post-UTME Score ÷ 2)
This formula gives weight to both the UTME performance and the outcome of the university’s own screening exercise. A candidate with a strong JAMB score but a weak Post-UTME performance may still lose out to a candidate with a moderate JAMB score but a stronger Post-UTME result, since both components combine to produce the final ranking. This is why meeting the departmental cut off mark in JAMB alone is not sufficient; the Post-UTME screening carries real weight in determining who eventually gets admitted into a specific course.
O’Level results also factor into the admission decision. ABUAD requires a minimum of five credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, obtained in not more than two sittings in WASSCE, NECO, or GCE. Weak O’Level grades can affect a candidate’s overall standing even when their JAMB and Post-UTME scores are strong.
Steps To Check And Meet ABUAD’s Cut Off Mark
A candidate targeting admission into ABUAD follows a fairly straightforward sequence of steps to determine whether they qualify for their desired course.
- Sit for the UTME and obtain a JAMB score of at least 180, since this is the minimum threshold that qualifies a candidate to apply to ABUAD.
- Confirm ABUAD as the first choice institution during JAMB registration, since the university only considers candidates who select it as their first choice.
- Check the specific departmental cut off mark for the intended course on the official ABUAD admission portal, since this figure varies significantly by programme.
- Register for and complete the ABUAD Post-UTME screening exercise once the registration portal opens, using the login credentials generated during registration.
- Calculate the aggregate score using the JAMB and Post-UTME combination formula to estimate the likelihood of admission into the chosen course.
- Submit O’Level results and other required documents, including the JAMB result slip, birth certificate, and passport photographs, as part of the screening process.
Following these steps in order gives a candidate a clear picture of where they stand relative to their target course before the university releases the final admission list.
Does Meeting The Cut Off Mark Guarantee Admission?
Meeting the general or departmental cut off mark does not guarantee automatic admission into ABUAD. The cut off mark only opens the door to further screening. Because ABUAD is a private university with limited slots per course and a high volume of applicants, admission is ultimately competitive. Candidates are ranked based on their aggregate score, and admission offers go out starting from the highest-ranked candidates until available slots for each course are filled. A candidate who meets the minimum cut off mark but performs poorly in the Post-UTME screening or has weak O’Level results may still miss out on admission if higher-ranked candidates fill the available slots first.
For this reason, students are better served by aiming to score well above the minimum cut off mark for their intended course rather than treating the published figure as a target to just barely reach.
Application And Screening Costs
Beyond meeting the academic cut off mark, candidates also need to budget for the ABUAD Post-UTME application process. The application fee for the screening exercise typically ranges between ₦10,500 and ₦13,000, depending on the specific programme a candidate applies for. This fee covers registration for the screening exercise and is separate from other admission-related charges such as acceptance fees, which come into play only after a candidate receives an admission offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the general JAMB cut off mark for ABUAD? The general cut off mark is 180. Candidates must score at least this amount in the UTME to be eligible to apply to ABUAD.
What is the JAMB cut off mark for Medicine and Surgery at ABUAD? Medicine and Surgery generally requires a JAMB score between 250 and 270, making it the most competitive course at the university.
What is the cut off mark for Law at ABUAD? Law typically requires a JAMB score between 220 and 250, depending on the level of competition in a given admission cycle.
Can a candidate gain admission into ABUAD without selecting it as first choice? No. ABUAD only considers candidates who select the university as their first choice during JAMB registration.
Does scoring above the cut off mark guarantee admission? No. Scoring above the cut off mark only qualifies a candidate for Post-UTME screening. Final admission depends on the aggregate score combining JAMB, Post-UTME, and O’Level results, ranked against other applicants for the same course.
How is the ABUAD aggregate score calculated? It is calculated by dividing the JAMB score by 8 and the Post-UTME score by 2, then adding both results together.