JAMB has published a fresh reminder for candidates who are below the minimum admission age but are seeking admission into a tertiary institution under the exceptional underage admission arrangement.
According to the information shared by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), an underage candidate must meet specific academic requirements before being considered for admission.
The key requirement is the 80% threshold. Candidates seeking consideration under the underage admission provision are expected to achieve the required performance in their O’Level results, UTME and Post-UTME.
JAMB's current general admission age remains 16 years, but exceptional candidates below that age can be considered under the special arrangement.
What Is Underage Admission in JAMB?
Underage admission refers to the special consideration given to exceptionally qualified candidates who are below the minimum age of 16 but demonstrate outstanding academic ability.
This is not the normal admission route for candidates below 16. JAMB has maintained 16 as the minimum age for tertiary admission, while exceptional candidates can be considered through the special screening and assessment process.
Therefore, being young and having a good UTME score does not by itself make a candidate eligible for admission.
The candidate has to satisfy the required academic thresholds and pass the necessary assessment process.
JAMB Underage Admission Requirements
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| Source: JAMB official X Handle. |
The requirements highlighted by JAMB include the following:
| Requirement | Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| O’Level | At least 24 points in the five best relevant SSCE subjects |
| UTME | 80% or above |
| Post-UTME | 80% or above |
| Exceptional assessment | Candidate must also satisfy JAMB's assessment process |
JAMB has previously explained that the underage admission process is designed for exceptionally talented candidates and involves more than simply obtaining a high UTME score.
1. O’Level Requirement
An underage candidate must have a strong O’Level result.
According to the information released by JAMB, the candidate must score at least 24 points in the five best relevant SSCE subjects.
The grading points shown by JAMB are:
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| A1 | 6 |
| B2 | 5 |
| B3 | 4 |
| C4 | 3 |
| C5 | 2 |
| C6 | 1 |
For example, a candidate who has five A1 grades in the relevant subjects would have 30 points.
A candidate with five B2 grades would have 25 points.
A candidate needs at least 24 points from the five best relevant subjects to meet this particular threshold.
JAMB has also previously specified that the O’Level requirement should be met in a single sitting of WAEC or NECO, equivalent to at least 24 points out of 30.
2. UTME Requirement for Underage Candidates
The UTME requirement is particularly important.
JAMB's requirement is 80% or above in UTME.
Since UTME is scored over 400, 80% of 400 is 320.
Therefore:
80% of 400 = 320
This means an underage candidate seeking consideration under the exceptional admission arrangement should target 320 or above in UTME.
JAMB's 2026 bulletin specifically stated that underage candidates who scored 320 and above were to be shortlisted for the next stage of assessment.
JAMB also sent notifications to candidates who crossed the 80% UTME threshold, informing them that their details had been forwarded to their chosen institutions for the next stage of screening.
3. Post-UTME Requirement
The Post-UTME is another important part of the process.
Underage candidates are required to achieve at least 80% in Post-UTME.
This is important because getting 320 or more in UTME does not automatically mean that the candidate will be admitted.
JAMB has specifically stated that underage candidates must still undergo the required Post-UTME screening, including in circumstances where the institution's normal admission process may differ for other candidates.
For example, if an institution scores its Post-UTME examination over 100, an 80% performance would mean:
80/100 or above.
The actual screening arrangement, however, is handled by the institution in accordance with the applicable process.
4. Exceptional Candidate Assessment
The process does not end with O’Level, UTME and Post-UTME.
JAMB's underage admission arrangement also involves an exceptional candidate assessment.
The Board's published requirements have referred to this assessment as part of the criteria used to determine whether an underage candidate should be considered for admission.
This is why parents and candidates should not assume that meeting one requirement is enough.
The purpose of the process is to identify candidates who are not only academically strong but are also suitable for tertiary education at a younger age.
Why Does JAMB Have Special Requirements for Underage Candidates?
The special requirements are intended to ensure that candidates below the normal admission age are genuinely exceptional and ready for tertiary education.
JAMB has previously explained that its underage admission measures are not based solely on academic intelligence. The Board has also discussed the maturity and readiness of younger candidates to cope with the academic, social and other demands of tertiary education.
This is why the process involves multiple stages rather than relying only on the UTME score.
Can an Underage Candidate Get Admission With 300 in UTME?
Under the 80% threshold stated for the exceptional underage admission process, 300 would not meet the 320/400 UTME threshold.
The requirement is 80%, which is equivalent to 320 out of 400.
JAMB's 2026 bulletin specifically stated that only underage candidates who scored 320 and above would be shortlisted for the next stage of assessment.
This should not be confused with the general minimum UTME scores used for admission into different categories of tertiary institutions. JAMB's general minimum admission scores are separate from the special requirements for underage candidates.
Does 320 in UTME Guarantee Underage Admission?
No.
Scoring 320 or above satisfies the UTME threshold, but it does not by itself guarantee admission.
The underage candidate still has to meet the other requirements, including the O’Level requirement, Post-UTME performance and the applicable exceptional candidate assessment.
JAMB's own 2026 process demonstrates this: candidates who crossed the 320 threshold were moved to the next stage of assessment rather than being automatically admitted.
What O’Level Score Is Needed for JAMB Underage Admission?
The requirement highlighted by JAMB is at least 24 points from the five best relevant SSCE subjects.
The points are calculated as follows:
A1 = 6 points
B2 = 5 points
B3 = 4 points
C4 = 3 points
C5 = 2 points
C6 = 1 point
For example:
A1 + A1 + A1 + A1 + A1 = 30 points
B2 + B2 + B2 + B2 + B2 = 25 points
A candidate therefore needs a combination that gives at least 24 points across the five best relevant subjects.
The subjects must also be relevant to the candidate's intended programme.
Does JAMB Require WAEC or NECO for Underage Admission?
JAMB's stated criteria refer to the SSCE, and its published explanation has specifically referred to WAEC or NECO results for the O’Level requirement.
The important point is that the result must satisfy the required academic threshold and the relevant subject requirements for the intended course.
Candidates should also make sure their O’Level result is properly uploaded to their JAMB profile. JAMB has specifically instructed candidates proceeding through the underage screening process to upload their O’Level results where required.
What Happens After an Underage Candidate Scores 320 or Above?
A candidate who reaches the UTME threshold proceeds to the next stage rather than receiving automatic admission.
JAMB's 2026 process showed that qualifying underage candidates were contacted and their details forwarded to their chosen institutions for further screening.
The institution could then contact the candidate for the next stage of assessment and return the result to JAMB.
This means candidates should pay attention to messages from their chosen institution and JAMB after the UTME.
What Underage Candidates Should Prepare For
If you are below 16 and hoping to gain admission through the exceptional candidate route, your preparation should cover all parts of the process.
Aim for 320 or Above in UTME
Do not prepare with the general minimum UTME score in mind.
The special underage requirement is much higher.
A candidate should therefore prepare with the goal of achieving at least 320 out of 400.
Maintain a Strong O’Level Result
Your O’Level result is also important.
Pay attention to the five best relevant subjects and the points attached to your grades.
A strong UTME score cannot replace the required O’Level performance.
Prepare Seriously for Post-UTME
The Post-UTME requirement is also 80% or above under the stated criteria.
Therefore, candidates should not stop preparing after the UTME.
Check Your Course Requirements
Your O’Level subjects must be relevant to the course you want to study.
For example, JAMB has previously indicated that Mathematics should be among the top-scoring subjects for science candidates, while English Language should be included for Arts candidates.
Candidates should also use JAMB's IBASS eligibility information to check the requirements for their intended programme.
JAMB Underage Admission Requirements at a Glance
Here is the simple breakdown:
| Requirement | What the Candidate Needs |
|---|---|
| Minimum normal admission age | 16 years |
| Underage category | Exceptional candidates below 16 |
| O’Level | Minimum 24 points in five best relevant SSCE subjects |
| UTME | 80% or above |
| UTME equivalent | 320/400 |
| Post-UTME | 80% or above |
| Assessment | Must satisfy the exceptional candidate assessment |
| Admission | Subject to the complete screening and admission process |
The normal minimum admission age remains 16, while the exceptional route is specifically for candidates below that age who meet the special requirements.
Important Difference Between General Admission and Underage Admission
One thing candidates should understand is that the general JAMB admission score is not the same thing as the underage admission threshold.
For example, JAMB's current general minimum tolerable admission score for universities is 150, while the special underage UTME threshold is 80%, equivalent to 320 out of 400.
So, a candidate should not see a general university minimum score and assume that the same score applies to the underage admission route.
The underage process has its own additional requirements.
Conclusion
If you are an underage candidate seeking admission, JAMB's message is straightforward: you need to meet a much higher academic threshold before you can be considered under the exceptional admission arrangement.
The key figures to remember are:
24 points — from the five best relevant O’Level subjects.
80% — required in UTME.
320/400 — the UTME equivalent of 80%.
80% — required in Post-UTME.
Candidates must also go through the applicable exceptional candidate assessment and other stages of the screening process. Meeting the academic thresholds makes a candidate eligible for consideration; it does not mean admission is automatic.
For candidates and parents, the best approach is to prepare for all stages, not just the UTME.
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