Every admission season, the same question floods WhatsApp groups and forums: "What is the cut-off mark for Medicine at ABUAD?" or "Can I get into Law with 220?" And every time, the answers are all over the place. Some people quote numbers they heard from a friend. Others copy outdated figures from random websites that haven't been updated in three years.
This guide is different. It covers the actual competitive score ranges based on recent admission cycles, how ABUAD's aggregate scoring works, what happens when you fall short, and a few things that only students who have been through the process would know.
If you haven't applied yet, start with the ABUAD Post-UTME 2026/2027 guide first. That covers registration, fees, and everything you need before the screening.
How ABUAD Cut-Off Marks Actually Work
Before we get into the numbers, you need to understand something that most guides skip over. ABUAD does not admit students based on JAMB score alone. {alertWarning}
Your admission is decided by an aggregate score that combines three things:
- Your JAMB UTME score
- Your Post-UTME screening performance
- Your O'Level results (grades in relevant subjects)
So when people talk about "the cut-off mark," they are usually referring to the minimum JAMB score you need before your application is even considered. But having that score does not guarantee you a spot. Your Post-UTME performance and O'Level grades carry real weight in the final decision.
This is why two students with the same JAMB score can have very different outcomes. One gets in, the other doesn't. The difference is almost always the screening score or the O'Level results.
ABUAD Cut-Off Marks by Department (2026/2027)
The general minimum JAMB score to apply for any programme at ABUAD is 180. That is the university's baseline. But for most programmes worth applying to, you will need significantly higher than that.
Here are the competitive JAMB score ranges based on recent admission cycles:
College of Medicine and Health Sciences
| Programme | Competitive JAMB Score Range | Competition Level |
|---|---|---|
| Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) | 230 to 270+ | Very High |
| Nursing Science | 230 to 240+ | High |
| Dentistry and Dental Surgery | 220 to 250+ | High |
| Medical Laboratory Science | 200 to 220+ | Moderate |
| Optometry | 200 to 220+ | Moderate |
| Anatomy | 190 to 210+ | Moderate |
| Physiology | 190 to 210+ | Moderate |
| Pharmacology | 200 to 220+ | Moderate to High |
| Human Nutrition and Dietetics | 180 to 200+ | Moderate |
| Public Health | 180 to 200+ | Moderate |
Medicine is consistently the hardest department to get into at ABUAD. The competition is intense every year, and it is not just about your JAMB score. Your O'Level grades need to be clean, and for Medicine specifically, all five credits must be from a single sitting. Two sittings will disqualify you regardless of how high your JAMB score is.
College of Pharmacy
| Programme | Competitive JAMB Score Range | Competition Level |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy (Pharm.D) | 220 to 250+ | Very High |
Pharmacy has its own distinct college at ABUAD, separate from the College of Medicine. It is one of the most competitive programmes at the university, right alongside Medicine. Like Medicine, Pharmacy requires five O'Level credits at a single sitting. The College of Pharmacy building is one of the most recognisable structures on campus, and the programme has a strong reputation nationally.
College of Law
| Programme | Competitive JAMB Score Range | Competition Level |
|---|---|---|
| Law (LL.B) | 220 to 250+ | Very High |
Law is another department where the bar is high. Like Medicine and Pharmacy, ABUAD's Law programme requires five O'Level credits at one sitting. ABUAD's College of Law has a strong reputation, which means a lot of high-scoring candidates apply here every year.
College of Engineering
| Programme | Competitive JAMB Score Range | Competition Level |
|---|---|---|
| Petroleum Engineering | 200 to 220+ | High |
| Chemical Engineering | 200 to 220+ | High |
| Civil Engineering | 200 to 220+ | High |
| Electrical/Electronics Engineering | 200 to 220+ | High |
| Mechanical Engineering | 200 to 220+ | Moderate to High |
| Computer Engineering | 190 to 210+ | Moderate |
| Mechatronics Engineering | 190 to 210+ | Moderate |
| Biomedical Engineering | 190 to 210+ | Moderate |
| Agricultural Engineering | 180 to 200+ | Moderate |
| Aeronautic and Astronautic Engineering | 190 to 210+ | Moderate |
Engineering programmes at ABUAD generally fall in the 190 to 220 range depending on the specific department and the year. Petroleum and Chemical Engineering tend to attract more applicants.
College of Sciences
| Programme | Competitive JAMB Score Range | Competition Level |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 190 to 210+ | Moderate |
| Biochemistry | 180 to 200+ | Moderate |
| Microbiology | 180 to 200+ | Moderate |
| Biotechnology | 180 to 200+ | Moderate |
| Industrial Chemistry | 180 to 200+ | Low to Moderate |
| Geology | 180 to 200+ | Low to Moderate |
| Mathematics | 180 to 190+ | Low |
| Physics | 180 to 190+ | Low |
| Statistics | 180 to 190+ | Low |
Computer Science is one of those departments that is easier to get into than people assume. The cut-off is moderate, but the programme itself is solid. If you are interested in tech and your JAMB score is in the 190 to 210 range, this is a strong option.
College of Social and Management Sciences
| Programme | Competitive JAMB Score Range | Competition Level |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting | 200 to 220+ | Moderate to High |
| Economics | 190 to 210+ | Moderate |
| Business Administration | 190 to 210+ | Moderate |
| Banking and Finance | 180 to 200+ | Moderate |
| International Relations | 180 to 200+ | Moderate |
| Political Science | 180 to 200+ | Low to Moderate |
| Mass Communication | 180 to 200+ | Low to Moderate |
| Sociology | 180 to 190+ | Low |
| Marketing | 180 to 190+ | Low |
| Tourism and Event Management | 180 to 190+ | Low |
College of Arts and Humanities
| Programme | Competitive JAMB Score Range | Competition Level |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | 180 to 200+ | Low to Moderate |
| History and International Studies | 180 to 190+ | Low |
| Philosophy | 180 to 190+ | Low |
| Performing Arts | 180 to 190+ | Low |
What These Numbers Actually Mean (From Someone Who Has Been Through It)
Here is the honest truth about ABUAD cut-off marks: they are a guide, not a rulebook.
The published figures are accurate enough that you should use them as your target. Don't aim lower than what is listed here. When you tell yourself "I'll be fine with 200 for Medicine," you start preparing with a 200 mindset, and that usually results in a score lower than 200. Aim for the top of the range or above it.
If you score slightly below the range for your department, it does not automatically mean you are out. I have seen students apply with borderline JAMB scores and still get admitted. Your Post-UTME screening performance and O'Level grades can close the gap. If you are close, apply anyway. The worst outcome is they say no, and you try again next year. {alertInfo}
One more thing that is not talked about enough: timing matters. Applying early in the admission window may work in your favour. While ABUAD has not publicly confirmed a first-come-first-served system, from what students have observed over the years, getting your application in early and getting your screening done quickly tends to put you in a better position than rushing in at the last minute when most of the slots may already be filled.
What Happens If You Don't Meet the Cut-Off
This is something a lot of guides avoid talking about, but it is a reality for many applicants. Not everyone hits the score they were hoping for. Here is what can happen:
You Get Offered a Different Course
If your score is not high enough for your first choice but is competitive for another programme, ABUAD may offer you an alternative course. This is common. You might apply for Medicine and get offered Medical Laboratory Science, or apply for Pharmacy and get offered Biochemistry.
When this happens, it shows up on your portal. It is not always an error. If you believe a mistake was made, you can contact the ABUAD admissions service number to clarify. But in many cases, it is a genuine alternative offer.
You are not forced to accept. You can turn it down and reapply the following year if you are set on your original course. But think about it carefully. Some students accept the alternative, settle in, and end up loving the programme they never planned for. Others use it as a stepping stone and apply for a change of course later. Both are valid paths.
Supplementary Admissions
After the initial admission round, ABUAD sometimes runs supplementary admissions to fill remaining slots in departments that were not completely filled. If you missed out in the first round but your score is close, keep an eye on the portal and the official ABUAD website. Supplementary spots open up after the main admission list is published, and the cut-off for these rounds can be lower than the initial figures.
Reapply Next Year
There is no shame in taking another year to improve your JAMB score. Many successful ABUAD students did not get in on their first attempt. If you decide to rewrite, use the time to genuinely prepare. Don't just repeat what you did the first time and expect different results.
O'Level Requirements: The Part That Catches People Off Guard
Your JAMB score can be perfect, but if your O'Level results do not meet the requirements, your application will not go through. This trips up more applicants than you would expect.
General Requirements (Most Programmes)
- Five credit passes (C6 or above) in subjects relevant to your chosen programme
- Must include English Language and Mathematics for most programmes
- Results can be from WAEC, NECO, GCE, NABTEB, or IGCSE
- Credits can be from a maximum of two sittings
Medicine, Law, and Pharmacy (Stricter Rules)
Five credit passes must be obtained in a single sitting for Medicine, Law, and Pharmacy. Two sittings are not accepted regardless of your JAMB or Post-UTME performance. This is a firm rule. {alertError}
If you are in this situation, consider registering for WAEC or NECO again to get all five credits in one sitting before you apply. It adds a year to your timeline, but it is the only way to qualify for these programmes.
Specific O'Level Subject Requirements by College
| College / Programme | Required O'Level Subjects |
|---|---|
| Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry | English, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, Physics |
| Pharmacy | English, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, Physics |
| Engineering (All Branches) | English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry + one relevant Science/Tech subject |
| Law | English, Mathematics, Literature in English + two Arts/Social Science subjects |
| Sciences (Computer Science, Biochemistry, etc.) | English, Mathematics, Chemistry + two relevant Science subjects |
| Social and Management Sciences | English, Mathematics, Economics + two relevant Social Science/Arts subjects |
Check the specific requirements for your exact department on the official ABUAD website before you apply. Some programmes have additional subject requirements that are not listed in the general guidelines.
The Role of Connections (Let's Be Honest)
Do connections help at ABUAD? Honestly, they can play a role in any institution. But here is the important part: your scores need to be strong enough on their own. A recommendation from someone influential will not override a JAMB score of 150 for a Medicine slot. ABUAD has academic standards that it maintains regardless of who knows who.
The best advice is simple. Score high enough that you don't need to rely on anything other than your results. That way, your admission is entirely yours, and nobody can question it.
How Parents Factor Into the Process
If you are a parent reading this, yes, many parents call the ABUAD admissions office during the admission period. It is a common practice, and the school is generally responsive to enquiries.
One thing to consider: ABUAD's fees vary significantly between colleges. Medicine and Pharmacy, for example, are among the more expensive programmes. Some families factor the fee difference into their course selection, choosing a department that is academically strong but more affordable. That is a valid consideration, and there is nothing wrong with being practical about it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the general ABUAD cut-off mark for 2026/2027?
The university's minimum JAMB score to apply is 180. However, competitive departments like Medicine, Pharmacy, and Law require scores of 220 and above to be realistically considered for admission.
Is the cut-off mark only based on JAMB score?
No. ABUAD uses an aggregate that combines your JAMB score, Post-UTME screening performance, and O'Level grades. Your JAMB score alone does not determine admission.
Can I get into ABUAD with a JAMB score of 180?
Technically, 180 makes you eligible to apply. Realistically, you will be competitive for departments in the Social Sciences, Arts, and some Science programmes. For Medicine, Law, Pharmacy, and Engineering, you will need a higher score.
What if I score slightly below the cut-off for my department?
Apply anyway. Your Post-UTME performance and O'Level results can push your aggregate above the threshold. Students with borderline JAMB scores have been admitted after strong screening performances. You have nothing to lose by trying.
Does ABUAD do supplementary admissions?
Yes. After the main admission list is released, ABUAD sometimes opens supplementary admission rounds to fill remaining slots. The cut-off for supplementary rounds can be lower. Keep monitoring the official portal and website.
Can I change my course after being offered a different one?
If you are offered an alternative course, you can accept it and later apply for a change of course within the university. However, this is not guaranteed and depends on availability and your academic performance. You can also choose to decline and reapply the following year for your preferred programme.
Are ABUAD cut-off marks the same every year?
No. Cut-off marks fluctuate based on the number of applicants, the quality of the applicant pool, and the number of available slots in each department. The ranges in this guide are based on recent admission cycles and give you a reliable target, but exact figures may shift slightly each year.
What You Should Do Right Now
If you are reading this during the admission window, here is your action plan:
- Check the tables above and find the competitive range for your preferred programme. If your JAMB score falls within or above that range, you are in a good position.
- Verify your O'Level results. Confirm that you have five credits in the required subjects. For Medicine, Pharmacy, and Law, confirm they are from a single sitting.
- Register for the Post-UTME screening if you have not already. Do not wait until the deadline.
- Prepare for the screening seriously. Your Post-UTME score can make the difference between admission and rejection, especially if your JAMB score is borderline. Read the full Post-UTME guide for details on what to expect.
- Apply early. Getting your application and payment sorted out early avoids the portal congestion and payment errors that happen near the deadline.
Good luck. And if you are reading this after you already got in, welcome to ABUAD.
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