If nursing is your dream career and Akwa Ibom State University is your target institution, one number determines whether your admission journey moves forward or stops at the gate — the cut off mark. This guide covers everything about the Akwa Ibom State University cut off mark for nursing, including the official JAMB score required, departmental benchmarks, Post-UTME expectations, O-Level subject requirements, and how to calculate your admission aggregate. Whether you are applying fresh or planning your next UTME attempt, this article gives you a clear, accurate picture.
What Is a Cut Off Mark and Why It Matters
A cut off mark is the minimum score a candidate must obtain in the JAMB Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to qualify for a Post-UTME screening at a particular university. Think of it as the entry gate — you must reach or exceed this score before the university considers your application any further.
At AKSU, the cut off mark works in two layers. The first layer is the general JAMB cut off mark, which qualifies candidates to purchase the Post-UTME form. The second layer is the departmental cut off mark, which determines final admission into your specific course. For nursing, the departmental requirement is significantly higher than the general university cut off, making it one of the most competitive programmes at AKSU.
Understanding both layers clearly helps you set a realistic UTME target and avoid false confidence from simply meeting the general minimum.
Official Akwa Ibom State University Cut Off Mark for Nursing
The Akwa Ibom State University cut off mark for nursing stands at 290 in the JAMB UTME. This is the minimum score required specifically for the Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.N.Sc.) programme under the Faculty of Health Sciences. It is a considerably higher threshold than the general university cut off mark of 140, and one of the highest departmental cut off marks across all AKSU programmes.
This 290 minimum was announced officially when AKSU opened applications for its newly NUC-approved health science programmes beginning from the 2025/2026 academic session. The university set different entry scores for its health science courses — Nursing Science requires 290, while other health science programmes admit candidates from 265 and above.
For the 2026/2027 session, the Akwa Ibom State University cut off mark for nursing is expected to remain at 290 or potentially increase, depending on the volume of applicants and available admission slots. Prospective students are strongly advised to target a score well above 290 — aiming for 300 or higher significantly improves your chances of making the first admission list.
AKSU General Cut Off Mark vs Nursing Departmental Cut Off Mark
Many applicants confuse these two figures, and the distinction is critical:
The general AKSU cut off mark for the 2026/2027 session is 140. Any candidate who scores 140 or above in JAMB and selects AKSU as their first-choice institution qualifies to register for the Post-UTME screening exercise. This general cut off applies across most courses in the university.
The nursing departmental cut off mark is 290 — meaning even if you score 250 in JAMB and comfortably pass the university’s general cut off, you are still ineligible for the Nursing Science programme. For nursing at AKSU, you must score 290 as a bare minimum in JAMB before any further consideration applies.
This table summarises the difference:
| Cut Off Type | Score Required |
|---|---|
| AKSU General JAMB Cut Off | 140 |
| Other Health Science Programmes | 265 |
| Nursing Science (B.N.Sc.) | 290 |
| Post-UTME Minimum Score | 140 (of Post-UTME marks) |
Why the Nursing Cut Off Mark at AKSU Is So High
The Akwa Ibom State University cut off mark for nursing is set at 290 for very deliberate reasons. The Nursing Science programme is new at AKSU, having received NUC full accreditation only in the 2025/2026 session. With limited admission slots in the first intake cycles and a high volume of nationwide interest, the university applies a strict entry benchmark to ensure only the most academically prepared candidates secure admission.
In addition, the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) sets professional accreditation standards that universities must meet. Admitting students who are academically underprepared risks poor performance during clinical training and NMCN licensing examinations. The high cut off mark protects the integrity of the programme and the university’s NMCN accreditation status.
Highly competitive courses like Nursing, Law, and Medicine-adjacent programmes across Nigerian universities have consistently required JAMB scores above 240 at minimum. AKSU’s 290 requirement places Nursing in the elite bracket, similar to Nursing admissions at universities like University of Uyo and University of Ibadan.
O-Level Subject Requirements for Nursing at AKSU
A strong JAMB score alone is not enough. Akwa Ibom State University cut off mark for nursing compliance also requires the right O-Level results. Candidates must present:
- A minimum of five credit passes in WAEC, NECO, or an equivalent examination
- Credits must be obtained in not more than two sittings
- Compulsory subjects include: English Language, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics
All five credits must appear in your result(s) before AKSU processes your nursing application. A result that has four credits and one pass in any of the required science subjects does not meet the standard. NABTEB results are generally not accepted in combination with any other result for this programme.
Direct Entry candidates who hold relevant OND, NCE, or A-Level qualifications in science subjects may apply through the Direct Entry route with a minimum of five O-Level credits including English Language, alongside their higher qualification.
UTME Subject Combination for Nursing at AKSU
Candidates applying for Nursing Science at AKSU must register the correct UTME subject combination in JAMB. The approved subjects are:
English Language + Biology + Chemistry + Physics
English Language is compulsory for all UTME candidates in Nigeria. The three remaining subjects — Biology, Chemistry, and Physics — are the core science subjects that the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria requires for entry into any nursing degree programme. Mathematics is sometimes listed as an alternative for Physics depending on the year, but Biology, Chemistry, and English are constant requirements. Always verify the current JAMB brochure entry for AKSU nursing before registering your subjects.
The Post-UTME Screening at AKSU
Passing the JAMB cut off mark does not secure your admission. After meeting the Akwa Ibom State University cut off mark for nursing of 290, candidates must still sit and pass the AKSU Post-UTME screening exercise. Here is what to expect:
The Post-UTME is a computer-based test conducted on the AKSU campus. It tests candidates on the core subjects relevant to their chosen programme — for nursing applicants, expect questions in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and English Language.
According to the official AKSU admissions policy, candidates who score less than 140 in the Post-UTME screening are not eligible for admission into any programme at the university, regardless of how high their JAMB score may be. For nursing specifically, you need to score well above the minimum Post-UTME mark because the aggregate calculation combines both JAMB and Post-UTME scores.
The registration fee for Post-UTME screening at AKSU is ₦2,000, paid through the official portal after generating a payment slip. Documents required at screening include:
- 2025/2026 UTME Result Slip
- Birth Certificate
- Certificate of State of Origin
- Passport photograph
- O-Level Result(s)
All documents are uploaded in JPG format during online registration before the physical screening date.
How AKSU Calculates Admission Aggregate Score
Your final admission ranking at AKSU is not based solely on JAMB. The university uses an aggregate score formula that combines JAMB and Post-UTME performance. Here is how the calculation works:
AKSU Aggregate Formula:
Aggregate Score = (JAMB Score ÷ 8) + (Post-UTME Score ÷ 2)
Practical Example for a Nursing Applicant:
- JAMB Score: 290
- Post-UTME Score: 70 (out of 100)
Calculation:
- JAMB component: 290 ÷ 8 = 36.25
- Post-UTME component: 70 ÷ 2 = 35
- Total Aggregate: 71.25
Candidates with higher aggregate scores rank above those with lower aggregates. In a competitive programme like nursing where admission slots are limited, every single point in your aggregate counts. A candidate who scores 300 in JAMB and 80 in Post-UTME significantly outranks one who scores 290 in JAMB and 60 in Post-UTME, even though both meet the minimum JAMB cut off.
This is why aiming above 290 in JAMB — targeting 300 or the full 400 — gives you a real competitive advantage when aggregate scores determine who gets into the first and second admission lists.
First Choice Institution Requirement
This is a point that many candidates overlook and it costs them their admission. To be eligible for the Akwa Ibom State University cut off mark for nursing consideration, you must have selected AKSU as your first-choice institution in the JAMB registration portal. AKSU primarily considers first-choice candidates for all its programmes, including Nursing Science.
If you registered AKSU as a second or third choice, you must process a Change of Institution through the JAMB portal and switch AKSU to your first choice before applying for the Post-UTME screening. The university’s official notice on the nursing programme explicitly states this requirement and warns that candidates who fail to complete the change before the portal closes may miss the admission cycle entirely.
What to Do If You Score Below 290
Scoring below the Akwa Ibom State University cut off mark for nursing of 290 does not mean the end of your healthcare career ambition. Consider these practical options:
Apply for another health science programme at AKSU. If you score between 265 and 289, you may qualify for other Faculty of Health Sciences programmes such as Medical Laboratory Science or Public Health, which have a lower cut off of 265.
Consider nursing at another state university. Universities like University of Uyo (UNIUYO), University of Calabar (UNICAL), or University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) also offer Nursing Science degrees and may have different cut off thresholds. Compare your score against their requirements.
Register for the next UTME cycle. Use the gap period to prepare more intensively. Dedicating three to four months of focused study on Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and English Language — especially using JAMB past question papers — significantly improves UTME performance in the next attempt.
Explore the Akwa Ibom State College of Nursing Sciences (AKSCONS). This is a separate institution from AKSU that runs an ND/HND Nursing Sciences programme across multiple campuses in Akwa Ibom State. Entry requirements are lower and it provides a legitimate, NMCN-registered nursing qualification pathway.
Tips to Score 290 and Above in JAMB for Nursing
Reaching the Akwa Ibom State University cut off mark for nursing of 290 requires deliberate, structured preparation. Here are practical strategies:
Focus intensively on your four UTME subjects — English Language, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Nursing candidates who reach 290 typically score between 65 and 75 in each subject. There is no shortcut to this level of performance without deep content mastery.
Use JAMB-approved past question books covering the last five to ten years. Question patterns in Biology and Chemistry repeat significantly across years, especially topics like cell biology, genetics, organic chemistry, and chemical reactions.
Register with a reputable JAMB tutorial centre or use verified online preparation platforms. Timed practice under exam conditions improves both accuracy and speed during the actual CBT examination.
Avoid cramming in the final two weeks. The highest scorers in any UTME cycle are those who start preparation at least four to six months before the exam date and revise consistently.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Akwa Ibom State University cut off mark for nursing? The official JAMB cut off mark for Nursing Science (B.N.Sc.) at AKSU is 290. This is the departmental minimum — higher than AKSU’s general cut off of 140 and the 265 minimum for other health science courses.
Is 290 the final cut off or just the minimum? It is the minimum. Candidates who score exactly 290 may still not gain admission if the competition is intense and available slots are filled by applicants with higher aggregate scores. Target 300 and above to be safe.
Does AKSU accept second-choice candidates for nursing? No. AKSU primarily admits first-choice candidates. You must select AKSU as your first-choice institution in JAMB. If you did not, process a Change of Institution through the JAMB portal immediately.
What subjects do I need for nursing UTME at AKSU? The required UTME subjects are English Language, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
What O-Level results does AKSU nursing require? Five credit passes in WAEC or NECO including English Language, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics, in not more than two sittings.
How is the AKSU admission aggregate calculated? Aggregate = (JAMB Score ÷ 8) + (Post-UTME Score ÷ 2). The higher your combined aggregate, the better your admission ranking.
What happens if I score below 140 in Post-UTME? According to AKSU’s official admissions policy, any candidate who scores below 140 in the Post-UTME screening is ineligible for admission into any AKSU programme, regardless of their JAMB score.
When does the AKSU nursing admission portal open? For the 2025/2026 session, the portal opened on 5 January 2026. For 2026/2027, monitor the official AKSU website at aksu.edu.ng for the exact opening date.
Final Thoughts
The Akwa Ibom State University cut off mark for nursing of 290 sets a high but achievable standard for determined candidates. AKSU’s Nursing Science programme is fresh, NUC-approved, and positioned to produce competent healthcare graduates for Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria at large. Getting into this programme demands genuine academic preparation — a strong UTME score, good O-Level results, and solid Post-UTME performance all working together.
If you are preparing for the 2026/2027 admission cycle, start your UTME preparation early, target a score above 290, ensure your O-Level subjects are complete, and select AKSU as your first-choice institution on the JAMB portal. Always verify the most current cut off mark information directly on the official AKSU website at aksu.edu.ng before taking any admission steps, as figures are subject to update at the beginning of each new admission cycle.