Latest Cut Off Mark for Medicine and Surgery in Nigeria

Quick summary (what this guide gives you)

This long-form article explains, in simple and practical terms:

• What a “cut-off mark” means for Medicine & Surgery in Nigeria (UTME/JAMB vs departmental)
• The official JAMB baseline and how universities raise the bar for medicine
• Real examples of departmental cut-offs from leading universities (how they report them)
• Required UTME subject combinations and O-level subjects for MBBS admission
• How universities calculate aggregate scores (UTME + Post-UTME/Screening + O-levels)
• Practical, exam-ready strategies to increase your chances (study, post-UTME, and alternatives)
• FAQ and authoritative sources so you can verify everything.

What does “cut-off mark” mean?

A cut-off mark is the minimum score threshold required for a candidate to be considered for admission into a particular programme. There are two related but distinct cut-offs you must know:

1. JAMB (UTME) baseline cut-off — the national minimum that qualifies candidates to apply to universities (set at policy meetings and published by JAMB). Universities will not consider candidates below this national floor.
2. University or departmental cut-off — the higher benchmark individual universities (or departments) set for competitive programmes such as Medicine & Surgery. These are usually higher than the JAMB baseline and often expressed as either an UTME score, an aggregate/merit percentage, or a departmental point threshold depending on the institution.

Why the difference matters: JAMB’s baseline makes you eligible to be considered; departmental cut-offs determine if you will actually be shortlisted or offered admission to Medicine & Surgery, which is one of the most competitive programmes in Nigeria.

JAMB baseline: what is the official minimum?

Short answer: In recent policy meetings JAMB has set a national benchmark (the floor) for university admission. For the 2025/2026 cycle the approved benchmark for universities was 150 (UTME), while some earlier cycles used 140 or 150 depending on the year. This baseline only means you are eligible to apply — competitive programmes require much higher marks.

Key points:

• JAMB publishes policy decisions (bulletins) and the national minimum is the lowest permitted acceptability. Institutions retain discretion to require higher marks.
• Always check the current year’s JAMB bulletin — the figure can change based on policy meetings.

What UTME (JAMB) score do you typically need for Medicine & Surgery?

Medicine & Surgery is very competitive. The typical UTME score range for successful admission into federal and top state universities is commonly between ~250 and 300+ (out of 400) — but several top schools apply their own aggregate systems so you’ll see cut-offs expressed as percentages (e.g., 78.125) or institutional aggregate points rather than raw UTME alone. Examples below show how universities publish their thresholds.

Illustrative examples (actual university announcements):

• University of Ibadan (UI) published departmental thresholds for the College of Medicine showing Medicine & Surgery among the highest program thresholds (reported as an aggregate/percentage line in UI’s admission release). UI’s numbers show Medicine & Surgery with a notably high cut-off in its published admission document. Also See : Requirements for Studying Medicine in Nigeria 2025/2026: Step-by-Step Guide to Admission
• University of Lagos (UNILAG) lists Medicine & Surgery among the top programmes with high merit/catchment-specific cut-off values in its UTME merit release. UNILAG’s published merit cut-offs for Medicine & Surgery are well above general baselines.

Practical takeaway: aim for UTME scores well above the national floor; for many federal medical schools you generally need 250–300+ (and often equally strong Post-UTME) to be competitive.

How universities convert and use UTME scores (aggregate calculations)

Universities often combine multiple components to decide final cut-offs or merit lists. Typical elements include:

• UTME (JAMB) score — scaled or used directly
• Post-UTME / screening exam score — many universities run their own tests; a high Post-UTME score can make or break your admission chances
• O’level result quality (WAEC/NECO) — presence of required credits and sometimes a points allocation per grade
• Catchment / quota adjustments and catchment scores (state/federal tertiary admission policies)
• Direct Entry (DE) or A-level/OND/HND adjustments — different formulas for DE applicants

How they combine them (examples):

• Some schools convert UTME to a 100-point scale and add a 50-point Post-UTME and a 50-point O-Level score to create a 200-point aggregate; others publish a percentage (e.g., 78.125 as UI did) representing combined metrics. Because methods vary, always check the specific university’s admission policy or the official admissions page. UI and UNILAG publish their own specific formulas and merit/catchment cut-offs.

Typical subject & O-level requirements for Medicine & Surgery

UTME subject combination (what to pick in JAMB):

• Compulsory: Use of English, Biology (or Agricultural Science in some cases)
• Choose any two of: Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics (but Chemistry and Physics plus Biology are the usual best combo). Many official sources list Use of English, Biology, Chemistry and Physics for UTME registration for Medicine & Surgery.

O-level (WAEC/NECO) requirements:

• Minimum: Five (5) credit passes which must include English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics — usually at one sitting for top schools (some schools accept two sittings but most medical faculties prefer one sitting). University prospectuses and admission regulations (e.g., UI, UNILAG) explicitly list these five credits as mandatory.

Direct Entry (DE): A-Level/JUPEB or HND/OND pathways have specific subject requirements (e.g., A-level passes in Biology, Chemistry and one other science for Medicine/Physiology streams). Refer to specific university DE rules earlier in each admissions brochure.

How to interpret published university cut-offs (examples)

Universities publish cut-offs differently: UTME points, aggregate scores, percentages, or departmental minimums. Below are representative examples (all sourced from official or reputable releases):

• University of Ibadan (UI) — UI publishes cut-off figures in percentage/aggregate format for each department; their College of Medicine shows Medicine & Surgery among the highest thresholds in the admissions PDF. This demonstrates that top public medical schools set very high departmental benchmarks.
• University of Lagos (UNILAG) — UNILAG’s admission releases show merit and catchment cut-offs for Medicine & Surgery well above general thresholds (UNILAG published high merit cutoffs in 2024/2025). This indicates regional/catchment based thresholds as well as merit cut-offs.
• University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) — reported departmental cut-offs for MBBS often appear higher than the JAMB floor; some sources cite high departmental aggregates for medicine in UNN (individual online portals report MBBS departmental cut-offs above 300 in point-aggregated formats). Note: verify with official UNN admissions notices because third-party sites sometimes misreport — always check the official university portal for the final announcement.

Important: Universities may update cut-offs yearly after analyzing candidate performance and slot availability. Don’t rely solely on last year’s figures — confirm current year announcements on the official admissions portal of each university.

Realistic score targets by institution type

To set practical goals, here are useful benchmarks (generalized; actual figures differ by year and institution):

• Top federal universities (e.g., UNILAG, UI, ABU, UNN, OAU, UCH-affiliated schools): Aim for UTME 260–300+ and very high Post-UTME/aggregate performance. Some institutions publish combined merit thresholds that correspond to very high performance bands.
• Other federal/state universities: Aim for UTME 230–270 plus strong Post-UTME. Departments can still set higher thresholds depending on demand.
• Private universities: Private universities may be more flexible on raw UTME but compensate with high fees or alternative entry tests; still aim for high UTME and excellent O-level credentials.

Practical strategies to meet or beat cut-offs

1. Understand the rules for your chosen schools (read the prospectus): Admission mechanisms differ — some schools weight Post-UTME heavily, others give more weight to O-level performance. Check the official admissions pages (e.g., UNILAG, UI).

2. Aim much higher than the national floor: Because medicine is competitive, target ≥ 260 UTME if you want to be safe for top federal schools; avoid targeting the national minimum as your goal.

3. Maximise Post-UTME performance: Past performance shows that many candidates with strong Post-UTME scores secure medicine offers even when UTME was slightly lower. Practice past Post-UTME papers and time yourself.

4. Perfect your O-level profile: Five credits at one sitting (English, Math, Biology, Chemistry, Physics) is often required — some universities explicitly insist on one sitting (UI, UNILAG guidance). If you must use two sittings, understand that some medical schools may penalize it.

5. Apply strategically (multiple choices): Make sure you choose schools with varying competitiveness; place target schools and backups. Check each school’s closing date for Post-UTME registration and apply promptly.

6. Use alternative pathways smartly: If you have A-levels, JUPEB, or strong ND/HND, the Direct Entry route can sometimes give an edge — but the same subject requirements apply.

7. Prep for interviews (where applicable): Some medical faculties conduct oral interviews or screening — good communication and knowledge of basic medical ethics/current health issues can help. Check the specific faculty’s procedure.

What to do if your UTME score is below the departmental cut-off

If you score below a target departmental cut-off:

• Improve and re-sit UTME (if time permits) — many candidates retake UTME to raise scores.
• Boost Post-UTME & O-level — excellent Post-UTME results and perfect O-level profile may still make you competitive in some cases.
• Consider private universities or universities with lower thresholds — costs may differ but they give alternate entry routes into medical-related professions (e.g., medical laboratory science, nursing, physiotherapy) and sometimes internal transfer options later.
• Explore related health programmes — areas such as Medical Laboratory Science, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Dentistry (if accessible), Pharmacy (subject to cut-off) — these are all valued health professions and have different thresholds.

Common Q&A

Q — “JAMB 140 means I can get medicine if my Post-UTME is good.”
A: Not likely. 140 (or 150 in recent cycles) is the national eligibility floor — Medicine programs typically require much higher UTME/aggregate scores. Aim higher.

Q — “If I have 5 credits at two sittings I can’t get medicine.”
A: Some top universities prefer 5 credits at one sitting for medicine; others accept two sittings but it reduces competitiveness. Check specific university rules (UI, UNILAG prefer one sitting for Medicine).

Q — “Does UNN really require 314 points for MBBS?”
A: Reports vary and third-party sites sometimes misreport. Always verify departmental aggregates on the official university admissions portal. UNN’s official site cautions candidates to avoid unofficial figures.

Example admission statements from official sources (what universities publish)

• JAMB policy bulletin: JAMB publishes annual policy bulletins that state the national minimum. For 2025 many bulletins and press coverage reported the approved minimum as 150 for universities (confirm the current year’s bulletin). Recommended Article : JAMB Matriculation List 2025/2026: Check Your Status & Secure Admission
• University of Ibadan (UI) admissions PDF: UI publishes departmental cut-offs (merit, catchment, etc.). UI’s College of Medicine lists Medicine & Surgery among the highest cut-offs in its published table. Always use UI’s admissions PDF to confirm specifics.
• University of Lagos (UNILAG) merit release: UNILAG publicly posts UTME merit cut-offs showing Medicine & Surgery with high merit thresholds. Use UNILAG’s official admissions pages for authoritative data.
• University of Nigeria (UNN) official disclaimers: UNN cautions candidates to rely on the official UNN portal for cut-off announcements and warns against fraudsters. Always check the university’s official portal before acting on third-party posts.

Action plan: 6-month to 12-month roadmap to improve your chances

Months 6–12 before UTME:

1. Create a study timetable focusing on Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Use of English.
2. Practice past UTME papers weekly and track weak areas.
3. Attend focused coaching for sciences or join study groups.
4. Take timed mock tests every 2–4 weeks to build stamina.

3 months before UTME:

1. Start a revision sprint — daily timed practice; focus on question types common in medicine-related UTME exams.
2. Take subject-specific remedial lessons where needed (e.g., organic chemistry basics).

Post-UTME stage:

1. Register early for Post-UTME and practice past post-utme questions or school-specific tests.
2. Master speed & accuracy with sectional timing.
3. Prepare documents (certified O-levels, birth certificate) early.

Final month before admission decisions:

1. Attend interviews or screening prep sessions if the faculty requires them.
2. Keep consistent scores — a single high score is good; consistent high performance across UTME/Post-UTME/O-level helps more.

How to verify current cut-offs 

1. JAMB official bulletins and website — check the most recent policy bulletin.
2. University official admissions pages (NOT social media summaries) — look for PDFs or notices on the official domain (e.g., ui.edu.ng, unilag.edu.ng, unn.edu.ng).
3. Admission notices from the Faculty of Clinical Sciences — these often list departmental requirements and any interview dates.
4. Cross-check reputable education portals but treat them as secondary — confirm with the university site. (Examples: universities.ng, myschoolgist, education news sites).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is the JAMB cut-off the same as the departmental cut-off?
A: No. JAMB sets a national floor — universities set departmental cut-offs that are often much higher for competitive courses such as Medicine & Surgery.

Q: Can a high Post-UTME compensate for low UTME?
A: It depends on the university’s formula. In some cases, exceptional Post-UTME performance can significantly boost your aggregate and help you cross the departmental threshold. But don’t rely only on this — aim for both.

Q: Do private universities have lower cut-offs?
A: Private universities may be more flexible, but they still expect strong O-level results and sometimes their own screening exams. Costs and programme structure usually compensate for any flexibility.

Q: Where should I check for the most accurate info?
A: Always the official JAMB bulletin and the official university admissions portal — these are the legal, authoritative sources.

Warning! before you apply

• Confirm JAMB official minimum in the current year’s bulletin.
• Confirm departmental cut-off for Medicine & Surgery on the university’s official admissions portal.
• Check UTME subject combination and choose the correct subjects in your JAMB registration (Use of English + Biology + Chemistry/Physics).
• Ensure five relevant O-level credits (English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics) — preferably at one sitting for top medical schools.
• Prepare thoroughly for the university’s Post-UTME screening and register on time.
• Keep documents ready (certified copies) and watch each university’s portal for interview/screening announcements.

Closing remarks

Admission into Medicine & Surgery in Nigeria takes careful planning: JAMB’s national minimum is only the first hurdle departmental cut-offs for medical schools are substantially higher and fluctuate year to year. The best strategy is to aim well above the floor, master both UTME and Post-UTME, ensure your O-level profile is spotless, and verify all information on official university portals and the JAMB bulletin.