PAAU Departmental Cut Off Mark for All Courses
Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), formerly known as Kogi State University (KSU), is one of the leading state-owned universities in Nigeria. Every academic session, thousands of candidates seek admission into the university through the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry.
One of the major requirements for gaining admission into PAAU is meeting the approved departmental cut off mark for your chosen course. The university uses these cut off marks to determine candidates who qualify for admission screening and final selection.
For the 2025/2026 academic session, PAAU maintains a general cut off mark of 140 for most courses, while competitive departments require higher scores.
What Is PAAU Departmental Cut Off Mark?
The departmental cut off mark is the minimum score required for admission into a specific department at PAAU. This score is usually determined after considering candidates’ JAMB performance, departmental quota, and competition level.
Candidates who fail to meet the required cut off mark for their chosen course may not be considered for admission even if they meet the university’s general JAMB benchmark.
PAAU General JAMB Cut Off Mark
The official minimum JAMB score for admission into PAAU is 140 for many programmes. However, courses such as Medicine, Nursing, Law, and Pharmacy require significantly higher scores.
General Admission Categories
Programme Category
Minimum Cut Off Mark
Education Courses
140
Agriculture Courses
140
Arts and Humanities
140
Social Sciences
150
Management Sciences
160
Science Courses
150
Engineering Courses
170
Law
220
Nursing Science
230
Medicine and Surgery
250
Pharmacy
230
PAAU Departmental Cut Off Mark for All Courses
Below are the estimated departmental cut off marks for courses offered at PAAU for the 2025/2026 academic session.
Course
Departmental Cut Off Mark
Accounting
180
Agriculture
140
Animal and Environmental Biology
150
Arabic Language and Literature
140
Banking and Finance
160
Biochemistry
170
Business Administration
170
Chemistry
150
Christian Religious Studies
140
Computer Science
180
Economics
170
Education and Biology
140
Education and Chemistry
140
Education and English
140
Education and Mathematics
140
English and Literary Studies
160
Geography and Planning
150
Geology
150
History and International Studies
160
Human Anatomy
180
Human Physiology
180
Industrial Chemistry
160
Law
220
Library and Information Science
150
Mass Communication
180
Mathematics
150
Medical Laboratory Science
220
Medicine and Surgery
250
Microbiology
180
Nursing Science
230
Pharmacology
180
Pharmacy
230
Physics
150
Political Science
170
Public Administration
160
Sociology
160
Statistics
150
Theatre Arts
150
Zoology
150
Highly Competitive Courses in PAAU
Some departments attract a large number of applicants every year. These courses usually have higher cut off marks because of limited admission slots.
Most Competitive Courses
Medicine and Surgery
Nursing Science
Pharmacy
Law
Medical Laboratory Science
Computer Science
Accounting
Mass Communication
Candidates applying for these programmes are advised to score far above the minimum requirement to increase their admission chances.
Factors That Affect PAAU Departmental Cut Off Marks
The university considers several factors before releasing official departmental cut off marks.
1. Number of Applicants
Departments with many applicants often increase their cut off marks to reduce the number of qualified candidates.
2. Candidate Performance
If candidates generally perform well in JAMB, the university may raise the departmental benchmark.
3. Admission Quota
Each department has a limited number of students it can admit per session.
4. Course Popularity
Professional courses and marketable programmes usually have higher competition and cut off marks.
PAAU Admission Requirements
Apart from meeting the required cut off mark, candidates must satisfy other admission conditions.
UTME Requirements
Candidates must:
Choose PAAU as first choice institution
Meet the approved cut off mark
Have at least five credit passes in relevant O’Level subjects
Possess the correct JAMB subject combination
Participate in the university screening exercise
Direct Entry Requirements
Direct Entry candidates must:
Possess ND, NCE, IJMB, JUPEB, or equivalent qualifications
Meet departmental requirements
Submit academic transcripts when required
How to Gain Admission into PAAU Easily
Students seeking admission into PAAU should follow important strategies to improve their chances.
Admission Tips
Aim for scores higher than the minimum cut off mark
Upload O’Level results early on JAMB CAPS
Apply for less competitive courses if your score is low
Ensure all documents are complete
Monitor PAAU admission updates regularly
Prepare properly for screening exercises
Importance of PAAU Screening Exercise
The screening process helps the university assess candidates beyond their JAMB score. Performance during screening may influence final admission decisions.
Candidates with strong academic records and high screening scores usually have better admission chances.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the general cut off mark for PAAU?
The general JAMB cut off mark for PAAU is 140 for many courses, while professional programmes require higher scores.
2. What is the cut off mark for Medicine and Surgery in PAAU?
The departmental cut off mark for Medicine and Surgery is around 250 due to intense competition.
3. Can I gain admission into PAAU with 140?
Yes, candidates with 140 may gain admission into several education, arts, and agriculture courses.
4. Does PAAU accept second choice candidates?
PAAU mainly gives priority to candidates who choose the university as their first choice during JAMB registration.
5. Is the PAAU departmental cut off mark fixed every year?
No. The departmental cut off mark may change yearly depending on candidate performance, admission quota, and competition level.