Getting your JAMB result back can feel like holding a lottery ticket. You stare at the number, then you start searching online to find out if it is good enough. If Kebbi State University of Science and Technology is on your list, you are probably trying to figure out the KSUSTA cut off mark for all courses right now, because this single number decides whether you can even apply for screening. This article explains what the cut off mark means, how it works for different courses, what mistakes to avoid, and how to check your real chances of getting admitted this session.
By the time you finish reading, you will understand the difference between the general cut off mark and the departmental cut off mark, how the school name change affects your application, and what steps to take after you confirm your eligibility.
What Is the KSUSTA Cut Off Mark for All Courses?
The KSUSTA cut off mark for all courses is the minimum JAMB score a candidate needs to be eligible for the post UTME screening exercise at the school. Before you go any further with your application, this is the first number you should check.
For the 2025/2026 academic session, the general cut off mark for the school was set at 140. This means that any candidate who scored 140 or higher in JAMB, and who chose this institution as their first choice, can apply for screening. If your score is below 140, you cannot proceed, no matter how strong your O’level results are.
There is something important you need to know before you continue. Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero, has been renamed to Abdullahi Fodio University of Science and Technology, Aliero. Many websites and even some students still use the old name, KSUSTA, because that is what most people search for online. The cut off marks and admission process discussed in this article still apply to the same institution, just under its new official name. Always check the current name when visiting the official admission portal so you do not get confused or end up on the wrong page.
Now, here is where many students get confused. The general KSUSTA cut off mark for all courses, which is 140, is not the same as the departmental cut off mark. The departmental cut off mark is the actual aggregate score you need for your specific course, and this number is usually higher than the general one, especially for popular courses.
For the 2025/2026 session, the school released a table showing different cut off marks for different categories of applicants. For example, courses under the Faculty of Agriculture, such as Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry, had a catchment area score requirement of 150, an Educationally Less Developed States (ELDS) score requirement of 150, and a national merit score requirement of 160. This shows that depending on where you are from and which quota you fall under, your required score can be different even for the same course.
A common mistake students make here is assuming that the lowest number they see online applies to them automatically. If you do not fall under the catchment area or ELDS category for Kebbi State, you will likely be evaluated under the national merit list, which often requires a higher score. Always check which category you belong to before comparing your score to any published cut off mark.
Another common mistake is ignoring the O’level requirement completely because the JAMB score looks fine. To be eligible for admission, you need a minimum of five credit passes in subjects relevant to your course, including English Language and Mathematics, obtained in not more than two sittings. Even with a JAMB score above the KSUSTA admission cut off mark, missing this requirement can stop your application before screening even begins.
How the KSUSTA Cut Off Mark for All Courses Works by Department
Once you understand the general cut off mark, the next step is to look at how individual departments set their own requirements. This is where the real competition shows up, and it is the part most students do not prepare for.
Different faculties group their courses, and each group can have a different cut off mark depending on demand. Courses in high demand, like Computer Science, Engineering, and Nursing related programmes, almost always require scores well above the general minimum of 140. Courses with fewer applicants, such as some Agriculture or Education related programmes, may stay closer to the general cut off mark.
Using the example from the Faculty of Agriculture mentioned earlier, a candidate applying under the catchment area category needed a score of 150 to be considered for Agriculture, Fisheries, or Forestry, while a candidate applying under the national merit category needed 160 for the same courses. That is a 10 point difference just based on which category the candidate falls under. If you are unsure which category applies to you, this 10 point gap could be the difference between getting screened or not.
Here is a second numeric example to think about. Suppose the general cut off mark is 140, but your target department’s effective cut off mark is 160. If you scored exactly 140, you are 20 points below what is typically required for that course. In this situation, rather than wasting your only choice on a course you are unlikely to get, it makes more sense to either choose a less competitive course in the same faculty or prepare strongly for the post UTME screening to make up some ground through your screening score.
A frequent objection students raise at this point is, “If my score meets the general cut off mark, why would the school reject me?” The answer is that meeting the general KSUSTA cut off mark for all courses only opens the door to screening. It does not guarantee a seat in your chosen department. Departments with limited space and high demand will always set their own internal benchmark, and only candidates who meet or exceed that benchmark, based on their full aggregate score, will be offered admission.
Another objection is, “The cut off mark list I found online looks different from what my friend saw.” This happens because cut off marks can be published in stages. Sometimes the school releases a general minimum first, then follows up later with department specific figures once all applications have been reviewed. To avoid confusion, always check the date on any cut off mark information you find, and prefer the most recently published version from the official school website.
To make this section practical, here are the main things to check for your specific course:
- The general minimum score required for the session
- Whether your course falls under a high demand faculty
- Which applicant category you belong to, such as catchment area, ELDS, or national merit
- The most recently published departmental figure for your course
Checking these four points gives you a much clearer picture than just looking at one number and hoping it applies to your situation.
How to Calculate Your Aggregate Score and Improve Your Admission Chances
Your JAMB score alone does not decide your fate. What matters most is your aggregate score, which combines your JAMB result with your post UTME screening result. Understanding this calculation helps you know exactly where you stand against the KSUSTA cut off mark for all courses.
Most Nigerian universities, including this one, use a weighted formula. A common approach gives 50 percent weight to your JAMB score and 50 percent weight to your post UTME score. To calculate this, your JAMB score out of 400 is converted to a percentage, and your post UTME score, usually out of 100, is also treated as a percentage. These two percentages are then averaged to give your aggregate score.
Let’s walk through a simple example. If a candidate scores 160 in JAMB, that is 40 percent of 400. If the same candidate scores 70 percent in the post UTME screening, the aggregate would be the average of 40 and 70, which is 55 percent. If the departmental cut off mark for that course is set at an aggregate of 50 percent, this candidate would meet the requirement and stand a good chance of admission.
Here is a second example showing how a lower JAMB score can still work out. A candidate scores 140 in JAMB, which is 35 percent of 400. If this candidate performs very well in the post UTME screening and scores 80 percent, their aggregate becomes the average of 35 and 80, which is 57.5 percent. This is actually higher than the first candidate’s aggregate, even though their JAMB score was lower. This shows why the post UTME screening is just as important as your JAMB score, sometimes even more important.
A common mistake students make is relaxing after JAMB because they feel their score is already above the general cut off mark. This is risky. The post UTME screening can make up a large part of your final aggregate, so weak preparation here can pull your overall score below the departmental cut off mark, even if your JAMB score looked strong.
Another common mistake is not registering for the post UTME screening on time. Screening exercises usually run for a limited window, often around two to three weeks after the announcement. Missing this window, even by a day, can remove you from consideration entirely, regardless of how high your JAMB score is.
To improve your chances, focus on these actions:
- Register for post UTME screening as soon as the portal opens
- Revise using past JAMB questions in your subject combination, since post UTME questions are often similar in style
- Gather your O’level results, birth certificate, and JAMB documents early so you are not rushing during the screening period
- Calculate your aggregate score yourself using the formula above as soon as your post UTME result is released, rather than waiting for the admission list
Doing these things puts you in a much stronger position than simply hoping your JAMB score alone is enough.
Conclusion: What to Do Next
The KSUSTA cut off mark for all courses is your starting point, not your finish line. The general minimum score for the 2025/2026 session was set at 140, but your actual department may require an aggregate score of 150 or even 160 depending on your applicant category and the popularity of your course. Remember that the school is now officially known as Abdullahi Fodio University of Science and Technology, Aliero, though most cut off mark information online still refers to it by its older name.
Before you submit your application, run through this quick checklist:
- Confirm your JAMB score meets the general cut off mark of 140
- Check your O’level results for the required five credits, including English and Mathematics
- Identify which applicant category you fall under, such as catchment area, ELDS, or national merit
- Find the most recently published departmental cut off mark for your specific course
- Calculate your expected aggregate score using the 50 percent JAMB and 50 percent post UTME formula
If your numbers look good, register for the post UTME screening as soon as it opens and prepare seriously, since your screening performance can significantly change your final aggregate. If your current numbers fall short for your first choice course, consider a related course in the same faculty with a lower historical cut off mark, so you do not lose your admission chance this session.
For the most accurate and up to date figures, always check the official JAMB portal at jamb.gov.ng and the official school admission page directly, since cut off marks can be updated during the admission period. Take action now, confirm your details, and give yourself the best possible shot at securing your spot this session.