How to Calculate the Departmental Cutoff Mark for OOU (2025/2026 Guide)
You’ve seen your JAMB score. You’ve probably checked it five times just to be sure your eyes aren’t deceiving you. Maybe you smashed it, or maybe you’re just “managing” the score.
But here is the thing: Your JAMB score alone doesn’t guarantee you a slot at Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU).
The university admission game in Nigeria isn’t straightforward. You might see someone with a 250 JAMB score sitting at home, while someone with a 210 is packing their bags for Ago-Iwoye. Why? It usually comes down to the aggregate score.
If you are confused about your chances, you need to know how to calculate the departmental cutoff mark for OOU. In this guide, I’m going to break down the math for you. No complex formulas, no “big grammar.” Just the simple steps to know if you are safe or if you need to start looking at Plan B.
The “Aggregate” Secret: It’s Not Just JAMB
A lot of “freshers” make a classic mistake. They think, “Oh, I scored 200, and the general cutoff is 160, so I have been admitted.”
Sorry to burst your bubble, but it doesn’t work like that.
OOU, like many other schools, uses a grading system called the Aggregate Score. This combines your JAMB score and your Post-UTME (screening) score to give you a final percentage over 100%. This final percentage is what determines if you get into Medicine, Law, or Computer Science.
Step-by-Step: How to Calculate OOU Aggregate Score
Let’s get into the math. Don’t worry, you don’t need a Further Maths textbook for this. You just need your JAMB score and your Post-UTME score.
Here is the formula OOU typically uses:
(JAMB Score ÷ 8) + (Post-UTME Score ÷ 2) = Your Aggregate Score
Let’s break it down with a practical example.
Imagine a student named Tunde.
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Tunde’s JAMB Score: 240
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Tunde’s Post-UTME Score: 60 (out of 100)
Step 1: Divide the JAMB Score by 8 We divide by 8 because JAMB is over 400. Dividing by 8 converts it to a percentage (over 50).
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240 ÷ 8 = 30
Step 2: Divide the Post-UTME Score by 2 OOU Post-UTME is usually over 100. We divide by 2 to convert it to a percentage (over 50).
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60 ÷ 2 = 30
Step 3: Add them together
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30 (JAMB part) + 30 (Post-UTME part) = 60%
So, Tunde’s aggregate score is 60%.
Note: Sometimes, OOU changes the screening method to include O’Level grades. But for the vast majority of sessions, the aggregate calculation hinges on how you perform in the screening exam versus your JAMB score.
Understanding the Departmental Cutoff Marks
Now that you have your aggregate, how do you know if it’s enough?
This is where it gets tricky. OOU does not always publish a static list of “Departmental Cutoff Marks” before admission. Instead, the cutoff is determined by the general performance of students that year.
However, based on previous years, here is a rough guide on what to expect.
1. The “Hot Cake” Courses (Competitive) If you are aiming for highly competitive courses, you need a high aggregate. I’m talking about Medicine, Law, Nursing, and Pharmacy.
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Target Aggregate: 70% and above.
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If you want to study Medicine, simply passing JAMB isn’t enough. You need to be in the top tier. For more on this, check out our guide on the best universities in Nigeria for Medicine.
2. The Mid-Range Courses These include Computer Science, Accounting, Biochemistry, and Mass Communication.
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Target Aggregate: 55% – 65%.
3. The Less Competitive Courses Courses in Education, some Arts, and Agriculture usually have lower requirements.
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Target Aggregate: 50% – 55%.
What If Your Score is Below the Cutoff?
Let’s be honest. sometimes the math doesn’t add up in your favor. You calculate your aggregate, and it’s sitting at a 48%, but you applied for Law.
Is it the end of the world? No.
But you have to be realistic. Here is what you can do:
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Consider a Change of Course: If your aggregate is low for a competitive course, quickly buy a Change of Course form on JAMB CAPS. Move to a related course with a lower cutoff. For example, switch from Medicine to Microbiology or Zoology.
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Check Other Schools: OOU isn’t the only school. There are other institutions that might accept your score. We recently compiled a list of universities that accept 140 cut off mark which could be a lifesaver.
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Look at Pre-Degree or Diploma: OOU runs these programs. They are expensive, yes, but they offer a different route into 200 Level eventually.
Common Misconceptions Students Have
I’ve tutored enough students to hear some wild rumors. Let me clear a few things up.
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“I am an indigene, I will get in automatically.” Yes, OOU is a state school (Ogun State), and they do favor indigenes slightly (Catchment Area). But being from Ijebu-Ode won’t get you into Medicine with a JAMB score of 180. You still need to meet the minimum academic requirement.
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“I know someone in the admission office.” Be careful. Admission processes are becoming more digitized via JAMB CAPS. Relying on “connections” without having the necessary score is a recipe for disappointment.
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“Post-UTME doesn’t matter.” This is the biggest lie. I’ve seen students with 280 in JAMB fail to get admission because they scored 30/100 in Post-UTME. Your screening score is vital. If you haven’t written it yet, you need to read our guide on how to prepare for an exam in short time.
Key Takeaway
Knowing how to calculate the departmental cutoff mark for OOU gives you peace of mind. It stops you from guessing.
Do the math. Be honest with yourself about your aggregate. If you are well above 50-60%, you are in a safe zone for most courses. If you are below that, start making strategic moves now.
Don’t wait until the admission list comes out to realize you didn’t make the cut.
For official confirmation on your admission status, always keep an eye on the JAMB CAPS portal and the OOU official admission portal.
Good luck, and I hope to see you on campus soon!
