Your JAMB UTME score alone does not determine your admission. Nigerian universities use an aggregate scoring system that combines your JAMB score, POST-UTME score, and O’Level grades into a single number. Understanding how to calculate your aggregate — and how to maximise it — is critical to securing admission.
This guide explains aggregate calculation step by step, with real examples for major universities.
Last Updated: February 2025 | Author: Dr. Adebayo Okonkwo
What Is an Aggregate Score?
An aggregate score is a weighted combination of three components:
- JAMB UTME Score — Your performance in the national exam (out of 400)
- POST-UTME Score — Your performance in the university’s screening exam
- O’Level Grades — Your WAEC/NECO results converted to points
Each university assigns different weights to these components. The most common weighting is:
| Component | Common Weight |
|---|---|
| JAMB UTME Score | 50% |
| POST-UTME Score | 30% |
| O’Level Grades | 20% |
Some universities use different weightings. For example, OAU uses 50/25/25, giving more weight to O’Level grades.
How to Calculate Each Component
Step 1: Calculate JAMB Contribution
Formula: (Your JAMB Score ÷ Maximum Score) × JAMB Weight
Example: JAMB Score = 260, Weight = 50%
(260 ÷ 400) × 50 = 0.65 × 50 = 32.50
Step 2: Calculate POST-UTME Contribution
Formula: (Your POST-UTME Score ÷ Maximum POST-UTME Score) × POST-UTME Weight
Example: POST-UTME Score = 72 out of 100, Weight = 30%
(72 ÷ 100) × 30 = 0.72 × 30 = 21.60
Step 3: Calculate O’Level Contribution
First, convert your O’Level grades to points:
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| A1 | 4.0 |
| B2 | 3.5 |
| B3 | 3.0 |
| C4 | 2.5 |
| C5 | 2.0 |
| C6 | 1.5 |
Add up the points for your best 5 relevant subjects (including English and any compulsory subjects).
Formula: (Your Total Points ÷ Maximum Points) × O’Level Weight
Maximum points = 5 subjects × 4 points = 20
Example: 2 A1s (8) + 2 B2s (7) + 1 B3 (3) = 18 points, Weight = 20%
(18 ÷ 20) × 20 = 0.90 × 20 = 18.00
Step 4: Add All Components
Total Aggregate = JAMB + POST-UTME + O’Level
32.50 + 21.60 + 18.00 = 72.10
Real Examples for Top Universities
Example 1: UNILAG (50/30/20 weighting)
Candidate A:
- JAMB: 280 → (280/400) × 50 = 35.00
- POST-UTME: 65/100 → (65/100) × 30 = 19.50
- O’Level: 3 A1s + 2 B2s = 19pts → (19/20) × 20 = 19.00
- Aggregate: 73.50
Candidate B:
- JAMB: 240 → (240/400) × 50 = 30.00
- POST-UTME: 85/100 → (85/100) × 30 = 25.50
- O’Level: 5 A1s = 20pts → (20/20) × 20 = 20.00
- Aggregate: 75.50
Notice: Candidate B has a LOWER JAMB score (240 vs 280) but a HIGHER aggregate (75.50 vs 73.50) because of superior POST-UTME and O’Level performance. This is why POST-UTME and O’Level matter enormously.
Example 2: OAU (50/25/25 weighting)
Candidate:
- JAMB: 260 → (260/400) × 50 = 32.50
- POST-UTME: 70/100 → (70/100) × 25 = 17.50
- O’Level: 4 A1s + 1 B3 = 19pts → (19/20) × 25 = 23.75
- Aggregate: 73.75
Aggregate Score Requirements by Course
While universities do not always publish aggregate cut-offs, here are typical ranges based on historical data:
| Course | Typical Aggregate Needed (Top Federal Uni) |
|---|---|
| Medicine and Surgery | 75–85 |
| Law | 70–80 |
| Pharmacy | 68–78 |
| Engineering | 62–75 |
| Computer Science | 58–70 |
| Accounting | 55–68 |
| Economics | 50–65 |
| Arts/Education | 45–60 |
How to Maximise Your Aggregate Score
- Maximise your JAMB score: This is the largest component (50%). Even a 10-point improvement can shift your aggregate by 1.25 points.
- Crush POST-UTME: This is where you can make up ground. Going from 60% to 80% on POST-UTME adds 6 points to your aggregate. That is often the difference between admission and rejection.
- Don’t ignore O’Level: The difference between all C6s and all A1s is 12.5 aggregate points. If you are still in secondary school, invest in your WAEC performance.
- Know your university’s formula: If your university weights O’Level at 25% (like OAU), strong WAEC results become even more valuable.
University-Specific Aggregate Formulas
| University | JAMB Weight | POST-UTME Weight | O’Level Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNILAG | 50% | 30% | 20% |
| UI | 50% | 30% | 20% |
| OAU | 50% | 25% | 25% |
| UNIBEN | 50% | 30% | 20% |
| UNN | 50% | 30% | 20% |
| ABU | 50% | 30% | 20% |
| UNILORIN | 50% | 30% | 20% |
| UNIPORT | 50% | 30% | 20% |
| LASU | 50% | 25% | 25% |
| FUTA | 50% | 30% | 20% |
Frequently Asked Questions
What aggregate score do I need for admission?
It varies by university and course. For Medicine at top universities, you typically need 75+. For less competitive courses, 50–60 may suffice. There is no universal cut-off aggregate — each department ranks candidates and admits from the top.
Can a high POST-UTME score compensate for a low JAMB score?
Yes, significantly. As shown in our examples above, a candidate with JAMB 240 but POST-UTME 85% can outperform a candidate with JAMB 280 but POST-UTME 65%. POST-UTME is the great equaliser.
Do all universities use the same aggregate formula?
No. While 50/30/20 is most common, some universities use 50/25/25 or other variations. Always check your specific university’s formula.
How are O’Level grades calculated for aggregate?
Universities use your best 5 relevant O’Level subjects. Each grade is converted to points (A1=4, B2=3.5, B3=3, C4=2.5, C5=2, C6=1.5). The total is then divided by the maximum (20) and multiplied by the O’Level weight.
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