JAMB 2017 Cut-off Mark: What Difference Does It Make?

It came as a surprise to many that the 2017 cut-off marks for 2017 were way below expectation.

Well, I wasn't all that surprised. Remember I told you guys before the cut-off marks were announced that a change from the norm should be expected. Some how, I had a hunch that there was going to be a change and I was damn right.

....
Many are asking why the cut-off marks are this low. According to JAMB, out of the total number of candidates that participated in the exam, 23.8 percent scored below 160. Could that be the reason for setting the cut-off marks that low? No one knows.

Someone said it could be a way to pacify ASUU and get them to call off the strike; since low cut-off marks means more candidates can buy the Post-UTME forms of these universities and that means more money for them. 

However, if the recently introduced Central Admission Processing System (CAPS), is anything to go by, there may not be room for that.

The cut-off marks obviously will give candidates with low JAMB scores a chance to compete for admission if schools decides to lower their individual cut-off marks as well.

Nevertheless, candidates should bear in mind that regardless of the fact that JAMB cut-off mark is 120 for universities. Most universities (if not all) will not set their individual cut-off marks lower than 170. Unless for the sake of generating more money.

Even if some universities happen to set their cut-off marks below 170, do not expect competitive ones to do the same.

You will agree with me that even if JAMB cut off mark for universities is set at 50. You can't expect schools like UNIBEN, UNILAG, UI, OAU etc to go below 200. At least not this year.

So for those with low JAMB scores, if your school of choice is a competitive one, you may want to switch to a less competitive one to have a chance of gaining admission. Don't start hoping there may be chance for you to gain admission in that competitive school with your low cut-off mark after all. 

JAMB Change of course and institution is still on and will not close till admission process has been concluded. That's an advantage.

How else do you think this year's JAMB cut-off mark will affect the admission process? Share with us.