UTME 2026: Over 75% of Candidates Score Below 200

UTME 2026: Over 75% of Candidates Score Below 200

 

-Majority of candidates fall within 140–199 range; top scores remain extremely low nationwide

 

ABUJA — The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially released the breakdown of results for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), revealing that more than 75 percent of candidates scored below 200.

 

According to statistics released by the board, a total of 1,955,069 candidates registered for the examination, while results for 1,897,692 candidates have been released so far. The data paints a sobering picture of mass performance at the lower and middle bands, with only a tiny fraction of candidates attaining scores above 300.

 

The largest proportion of candidates – 983,187 (50.3%) – scored within the 160–199 range, making it the most populated score bracket. Another 488,197 candidates (25%) scored between 140 and 159. Combined, these two categories account for 75.3% of all candidates whose results have been released.

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In practical terms, more than three out of every four candidates scored below 200.

 

Top scores remain exceptional

 

At the upper end of the spectrum, the data shows that high performance remains rare. Only 334,560 candidates (17.1%) scored between 200 and 249, while 73,441 candidates (3.8%) scored between 250 and 299. A mere 12,414 candidates (0.6%) scored above 300.

 

Breaking down the top tier further, 7,658 candidates (0.4%) scored between 300 and 319, and just 4,756 candidates (0.2%) scored 320 and above.

 

On the lower end, 57,419 candidates (2.9%) scored between 120 and 139, 3,820 candidates (0.2%) scored between 100 and 119, while 2,031 candidates (0.1%) scored below 100.

 

What this means for admission seekers

 

Education stakeholders say the figures highlight the urgent need for improved teaching, better learning resources, and stronger exam preparation strategies across the country.

 

For candidates seeking admission into competitive courses such as Medicine, Law, and Engineering, the situation is particularly grim. With only 0.6% of candidates scoring above 300 – the range typically needed for such programmes – cut-off marks for these courses may remain very high as demand continues to rise.

 

“Success is not just about scoring high; it’s about preparing right,” stakeholders noted. They urged schools, parents, and candidates to adopt smarter study habits and early preparation to improve performance.

 

Expert calls for alternative pathways

 

Given the intense competition, experts are advising candidates to explore other pathways to tertiary education, including polytechnics, colleges of education, and skill-based programmes.

 

“Competition for university admission will be intense tomorrow because of the score distribution today,” one education analyst said. “Waiting for a slim admission slot into a few competitive courses may not be the wisest strategy.”

 

JAMB has not yet announced official cut-off marks for the 2026 admission cycle, but with over 75% of candidates scoring below 200, stakeholders expect many institutions to maintain lower benchmarks while top universities raise their requirements even higher.

 

UTME 2026: Over 75% of Candidates Score Below 200