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1. What is a Cut‑Off Mark?

A cut‑off mark is the lowest score that a candidate must have in some examination (usually JAMB UTME) in order to apply for or be considered for particular courses in Nigerian universities. It acts like a gate‑keeper. If you score below the cut‑off, your application for that course or that university may not be considered.

• General cut‑off is the minimum score required by the university (for all candidates who want to apply to any course).
• Departmental or course cut‑off is usually higher for competitive courses. It reflects how many people are applying, how many places are available, and how high other students scored.
• Universities may also consider other factors besides JAMB: O’Level grades, Post‑UTME/screening, subject combinations, first choice selection, etc.

2. What is Agricultural Science (Course) in FUNAAB?

“Agricultural Science” is a broad name; at FUNAAB, agricultural science would involve studying agriculture, plant science, animal science, soil science, agricultural management, extension etc. It may include specializations or departments such as:

• Crop Protection
• Agricultural Extension and Rural Development
• Soil Science and Land Management
• Pasture and Range Management
• Forestry and Wildlife Management
• Horticulture
• Plant Breeding & Seed Technology

These departments or specializations often fall under the college of agriculture or plant and crop science. Students in Agricultural Science learn about growing plants, improving soil, managing pests, improving yields, using farming technology, and more. Because FUNAAB is a specialized university in agriculture, these courses are important and competitive.

3. FUNAAB General vs Departmental Cut‑Off Marks: What’s the Difference?

Understanding the difference helps you plan:

So even if you meet the general cut‑off, you may not get into Agricultural Science unless you also meet the departmental cut‑off (if such is strictly enforced), plus subject and other requirements.

4. What is FUNAAB Cut‑Off Mark for Agricultural Science 2025/2026?

From recent reliable sources:

• The general UTME cut‑off mark for FUNAAB for the 2025/2026 academic session is 160.
• For Agricultural Science and related departments (Agriculture, Crop Protection, Agricultural Extension & Rural Development, Soil Science & Land Management, Pasture & Range Management, Forestry etc.), many sources also list the departmental cut‑off mark as 160 or 160 and above
• Some sources suggest slightly higher marks for specific specializations or when competition is higher. For example, Animal Production & Health or some environmental/management related agriculture fields appear in some tables at 170+ in estimates.

So, for Agricultural Science broadly, aim for 160 or more in JAMB UTME for 2025/2026 to be safe. But if your specialization is very popular (like if many want Crop Protection or Animal Production etc.), you may need to score higher, or have stronger O’Levels / Post‑UTME.

5. How the Agricultural Science Cut‑Off Mark is Decided at FUNAAB

To understand what you must do, it’s good to know how FUNAAB sets the cut‑off for Agricultural Science and similar courses.

5.1 Factors That Influence the Cut‑Off Mark

• Number of applicants: If many people apply for Agricultural Science and many score high, the cut‑off may rise.
• Available capacity: How many seats FUNAAB has for Agricultural Science determines how strict they must be. If seats are few, competition is high.
• Performance of applicants: If many candidates have strong O’Level results and good UTME scores, the cut‑off tends to be higher.
• University policy: FUNAAB may adjust cut‑off to reflect quality standards, regulatory instruction, or national guidelines.
• Subject combinations and prerequisite subjects: If your subject combination is correct and relevant to agriculture, it may help. If not, even high scores may be rejected.

5.2 Components Beyond JAMB UTME

While cut‑off is mainly about UTME score, other components usually matter:

• Post‑UTME screening / Pre‑Admission Screening: Some departments require that you pass these to be considered fully. Performance here may influence who gets in.
• O’Level results: Usually a minimum number of credit passes in English, Mathematics, and science/subjects relevant to agriculture. Quality of grades may matter.
• Correct subject combination: For agriculture, you might need subjects like Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Agricultural Science etc., depending on specialization.
• First choice institution: Sometimes FUNAAB gives preference to candidates who chose it as first choice in JAMB.

Thus, meeting the cut‑off is necessary but not always sufficient—other boxes must also be ticked.

6. Why the Cut‑Off Mark Matters: Advantages and Challenges

Knowing the cut‑off mark for Agricultural Science has many benefits, but also some challenges. It helps you plan, but it can also stress.

6.1 Advantages (Pros)

• Clear target to aim for: Knowing you need 160 or more helps you set goals and study accordingly.
• Helps in choosing courses: If you know your score, you can decide whether to try Agricultural Science or a less competitive field.
• Motivates better preparation: When you know competition is strong, you work harder in UTME, O’Levels, and screening.
• Avoids wasted applications: If you see your expected score is far below what is required, you can either improve, or choose alternate universities or courses.

6.2 Challenges (Cons)

• Competition can push cut‑off higher: Sometimes the actual departmental cut‑off ends up being much higher, making 160 not enough.
• Other requirements may block you: Even with 160 UTME, if your O’Level is weak, or you didn’t choose correct subjects, you may still miss admission.
• Stress and uncertainty: Waiting to see Post‑UTME screening results or departmental cut‑off can be stressful.
• Changing estimates / rumors vs official: Many articles or sites publish estimated cut‑offs, which may differ from what the official FUNAAB document requires. Relying solely on estimates can mislead.

7. How to Meet and Exceed the FUNAAB Agricultural Science Cut‑Off Mark

Knowing what to aim for is good; knowing how to exceed it is even better. Here are strategies to help you beat or far exceed the cut‑off.

7.1 Strong UTME Preparation

• Study past UTME questions, especially in relevant subjects (Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, English, Physics).
• Practice time management because UTME is timed.
• Use credible study materials, attend coaching if possible, use mock exams.

7.2 Excellent O’Level Results

• You need good (credit) passes in relevant subjects. For agriculture, often English, Mathematics, Biology / Agricultural Science, Chemistry, maybe Physics.
• If you didn’t get strong grades in one sitting, consider using two sittings, if allowed.
• Ensure your results are verified and reflected correctly in any portals or transcripts.

7.3 Correct Subject Combinations

• Make sure you have the correct prerequisite subjects for your specialization in Agricultural Science. For example, Crop Protection may need Chemistry or Biology; Soil Science might need Chemistry etc.
• Avoid irrelevant or weak subjects; they may weaken your aggregate or disqualify you.

7.4 First Choice Institution Selection

• Always try to make FUNAAB your first choice in JAMB if that is where you want Agricultural Science. Some universities give better chance to first choice.
• If you didn’t, look for change of institution options if deadlines permit.

7.5 Do Well in Screening / Post‑UTME (If required)

• Prepare for any screening tests or assessments that FUNAAB may demand after UTME.
• Ensure all documents are submitted correctly and on time.

7.6 Aim Above Minimum

• Because competition can push the actual threshold higher, aim for more than the minimum. For Agricultural Science, while 160 is minimum, aiming for 180+ could give you a safer buffer, especially for popular specializations.

8. Comparison: Agricultural Science vs Other FUNAAB Courses, vs Same Course in Other Universities

Comparisons help you understand how tough it is and what your chances might be.

8.1 Agricultural Science vs High‑Demand FUNAAB Courses

Some courses have higher demand (e.g. Veterinary Medicine, Computer Science, Engineering, Biochemistry). For these:

8.2 Agricultural Science in FUNAAB vs Same Course in Other Universities

9. Real Example Scenarios: What Score Gives What Chance

Here are example students and their scores, to show how your chance may vary.

10. Summary Table Before Conclusion

Here is a summary table to help you remember key points about FUNAAB cut‑off mark for Agricultural Science in 2025/2026:

 Conclusion

The cut‑off mark for FUNAAB Agricultural Science for the 2025/2026 academic session is around 160 in JAMB UTME. This is the general requirement for many agriculture‑related courses. However, for specializations with higher demand, you may need to score more. Meeting the cut‑off is necessary, but not always sufficient—you must also have good O’Levels, correct subject combinations, FUNAAB as first choice, possibly a good performance in screening or Post‑UTME.

To increase your chances:

• Aim higher than the minimum.
• Check all requirements in advance.
• Prepare well for UTME, O’Levels and screening.
• Monitor FUNAAB’s official announcements.

If you do these, you will be well positioned to get admitted under the Agricultural Science umbrella at FUNAAB in 2025/2026. Best of luck!