The topic of admission cut-off marks has been a cause of concern and confusion for students and aspirants of tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
The recent release of official cut-off marks by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has further intensified this discussion.
Details on Admission Cut-off Mark
Many candidates find it challenging to determine the exact cut-off mark required for admission.
This blog post aims to clarify the concept of cut-off marks, including the differences between the cut-off marks set by JAMB, the institutions, and the specific departments within those institutions.
JAMB Admission Cut-Off Mark:
JAMB is the Nigerian entrance examination board for tertiary-level institutions.
It conducts the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for prospective undergraduates.
To be eligible for the UTME, candidates must have obtained the West Africa School Certificate or its equivalent.
Each year, JAMB, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, determines the minimum score required for admission into specific institutions. This score serves as the general cut-off mark for universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and innovative institutes.
Institutional Admission Cut-Off Mark:
Institutions receive varying numbers of applications from candidates seeking admission. Public institutions, for example, tend to attract a higher number of applicants due to factors such as affordability, reputation, and facilities.
Despite scoring above the JAMB cut-off mark, these institutions cannot admit all the candidates.
To manage the large pool of applicants, they introduce additional criteria, such as a school or institutional cut-off mark.
This mark is often higher than the JAMB cut-off mark and determines eligibility for the institution’s post-UTME screening exercise. However, less competitive universities may opt to use the JAMB cut-off mark as the school cut-off mark.
Departmental Admission Cut-Off Mark:
Within an institution, different departments or courses receive varying numbers of applicants.
Some courses, such as Medicine and Surgery, Law, and Engineering, tend to have significantly more applicants than others.
Each department has a limited number of available slots for admissions. Consequently, the departmental cut-off mark is raised to reduce the number of candidates.
For example, if an institution has only 100 available slots for Medicine and Surgery and receives over 3,000 applicants, the cut-off mark for that department would be significantly higher than the general institutional cut-off mark.
The Purpose of Cut-Off Marks:
The primary purpose of cut-off marks is to select the best candidates from the pool of applicants and limit the number of admissions in a particular course, department, or institution.
The competitive nature of admissions in Nigerian tertiary institutions necessitates these measures.
While admission may seem like a challenging and competitive process, it is essential to view the cut-off marks as targets to strive for rather than intimidating obstacles.
FAQs
What is a cut-off mark, and how is it determined for university admissions?
A cut-off mark is the minimum score a candidate must achieve in an entrance examination (e.g., UTME, SAT) to be considered for admission into a particular institution or program. It is determined by the university or college based on factors like the number of applicants, the program’s capacity, and the overall performance of candidates. Different institutions and programs may have different cut-off marks, and in some cases, higher cut-off marks are set for more competitive courses.
Can I still be considered for admission if my score is below the cut-off mark?
In most cases, if your score falls below the set cut-off mark, you are not eligible for admission into that specific course or institution. However, some universities offer alternative pathways such as supplementary admissions, change of course, or remedial programs. Additionally, institutions might also consider candidates with lower scores if there is a low number of qualified applicants for certain programs or during specific admission rounds.
Do all programs within a university have the same cut-off mark?
No, not all programs within a university have the same cut-off mark. Competitive courses such as Medicine, Law, and Engineering often have higher cut-off marks compared to less competitive programs like Education or Social Sciences. Each department typically sets its own cut-off based on the level of competition and available slots for the program.
Conclusion
Understanding the concept of admission cut-off marks is crucial for students and aspirants of Nigerian tertiary institutions.
JAMB sets the general cut-off mark, while institutions and departments may have higher cut-off marks to manage the number of applicants and select the best candidates.
Although the admission process can be demanding, it is important to approach it with determination and focus on achieving the required cut-off mark. Best of luck in your admission journey!
