Updated on 6 November 2026 · How we verify
Quick answer: The latest published NDA UTME cut-off mark is 180 (210 for Engineering) — 78 Regular Course, 2026. The national minimum JAMB set for universities at its 2026 policy meeting is 150, but NDA admits by merit, so competitive courses need far more.
Last updated: November 2026 · Academic session: 2026/2027 · UTME year: 2026
Where the admission cycle stands (November 2026):
- 2026 UTME: held 16 – 25 April 2026; results released from 17 April 2026 (within 24 hours of the first papers).
- Cut-offs for 2026/2027: fixed at the JAMB policy meeting of 11 May 2026 (universities 150, colleges of nursing 150, polytechnics 100; NCE admission no longer requires UTME).
- Admissions now: institutions are uploading 2026/2027 offers to CAPS; JAMB deadline for public universities 31 October 2026, private universities 30 November 2026. Accept any offer within four weeks.
- Next cycle: 2027 UTME registration is expected to open in late January 2027 — see the JAMB registration guide and JAMB exam date.
Here is the 2026/2027 JAMB and departmental cut-off marks for Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna (NDA), a university in Kaduna State, written for UTME 2026 candidates, Direct Entry applicants and parents who want the correct procedure rather than rumours.
NDA at a glance
| Institution | Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna (NDA) |
| Type | University |
| Location | Kaduna State |
| Official website | nda.edu.ng |
| Student / admission portal | ndaapplications.net |
| Academic session | 2026/2027 |
| JAMB national minimum (universities) | 150 – set at the 2026 JAMB policy meeting; NDA may set a higher mark |
| Last published NDA general cut-off | 180 (210 for Engineering) — 78 Regular Course, 2026 |
NDA JAMB cut-off mark 2026/2027
Two different numbers matter. The national minimum is fixed by JAMB at its annual policy meeting with vice-chancellors, rectors and provosts — for universities it is currently 150. The institutional cut-off is NDA’s own threshold; a university may adopt the national minimum or raise it, but can never go below it.
Reality check: meeting the cut-off only qualifies you for screening. Admission is decided on your UTME score, O’Level grades, post-UTME/screening score and (for some schools) catchment and ELDS quotas. Aim at least 20–40 marks above the departmental figure for your course.
NDA departmental cut-off marks 2026/2027
Latest verified departmental guidance: Engineering 210+, other faculties 180+; two-phase screening (test, then Armed Forces Selection Board).
Departmental marks published or compiled for NDA in previous sessions are listed below. They are indicative — actual marks shift every year with the number and quality of applicants.
NDA Faculty of Medical Sciences Cut Off Mark
- Medicine – 250 and Above
NDA Faculty of Law Cut Off Mark
- Law – 240 and above
NDA Faculty of Engineering Cut Off Mark
- Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical, Civil, Computer, etc – 220 and above
NDA Faculty of Science Cut Off Mark
- Industrial Chemistry, Industrial Physics, Computer Science, Geology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Anatomy, etc – 190 and above
Popular courses at NDA
Recommended Links: NDA Cut Off Marks & NDA School Fees, COURSE REQUIREMENTS FOR FACULTY OF SCIENCE, COURSE, General Requirement, Compulsory Credits, Relevant Credits (Waiver Remarks), BSc Biology, English Language, Mathematics, Biology and Chemistry, BSc Biotechnology, BSc Chemistry, English Language, Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics, BSc Mathematics and more. See the full list of courses offered in NDA.
How NDA uses your cut-off: UTME, O’Level and screening
- Score at least the NDA general cut-off in UTME 2026 with the correct subject combination for your course.
- Upload your O’Level results to your JAMB profile (how to upload O'Level results); five relevant credits (including English and, for most courses, Mathematics) in not more than two sittings is the standard.
- Buy and sit the NDA post-UTME/screening when the form is released (see the post-UTME screening guide). JAMB caps the screening charge at ₦2,000 with no hidden add-ons; in practice several universities (UI, LAUTECH, UNIOSUN, AAUA, FUNAAB) charge a separate ₦3,000 ‘portal access’ fee, so budget ₦2,000–₦5,000.
- Watch JAMB CAPS for your offer; accept it promptly and print your admission letter.
Verify before you pay or act: Cut-off figures above are the last published marks compiled for NDA. Institutions announced their 2026/2027 marks after the 11 May 2026 policy meeting, usually inside the post-UTME/screening advert. The only authoritative source for NDA is nda.edu.ng and the school’s official notice boards. If a figure here differs from what the school publishes, the school is right.
Frequently asked questions
What is the NDA cut-off mark for 2026/2027?
The national minimum for universities is 150. NDA’s own general cut-off was last published as 180 (210 for Engineering) — 78 Regular Course, 2026. Competitive courses require significantly more.
Is 150 enough to get into NDA?
Only if NDA adopts the national minimum and your course is not competitive. For popular courses you should target at least 200; for Medicine, Law, Pharmacy or Nursing, 250 and above.
Does NDA accept 140 or below?
No. No university may admit below JAMB’s national minimum of 150 for universities. If you scored below it, consider the JAMB CAPS Marketplace or a different institution type with a lower minimum.
Is the departmental cut-off the same as the JAMB cut-off?
No. The JAMB (general) cut-off is the minimum to be considered at all. The departmental cut-off is the higher score a specific course actually requires after merit ranking and screening.
When does NDA release its cut-off mark each year?
Within weeks of the JAMB policy meeting (held 11 May 2026 for 2026/2027), usually inside the post-UTME/screening advert. For the 2027/2028 session expect it between May and July 2027.
More NDA admission resources
- NDA Admission Requirements 2026/2027
- Courses Offered in NDA
- NDA Post-UTME Form 2026/2027
- NDA Post-UTME Result 2026/2027
- NDA Admission List 2026/2027
- NDA Admission Letter 2026/2027
- NDA School Fees 2026/2027
- NDA Admission Portal 2026/2027
- NDA Student Portal Login
JAMB 2026 guides every university aspirant should read
- JAMB Registration 2027: Expected Dates, Fee, Requirements & Step-by-Step Guide
- JAMB Cut-Off Marks 2026/2027: Universities, Polytechnics, Nursing Colleges & Colleges of Education
- JAMB CAPS 2026/2027: How to Check Admission Status, Accept or Reject Admission
- Post-UTME 2026/2027: Screening Fee Rules, Dates, Aggregate Scoring & How to Prepare
- JAMB Admission Letter 2026/2027: How to Print It Online (Fee & Steps)
- JAMB Change of Course & Institution 2026/2027: Fee, Deadline & How to Do It
- JAMB Direct Entry 2027: Requirements, Fee, Registration & How It Works
Other universities on JAMB Admission
- Ramat Polytechni Maiduguri
- Nigerian Maritime University Okerenkoko (NMU)
- University of Mkar (UM)
- Zamfara State College of Arts and Sci
- Nigerian Army University Biu (NAUB)
- Northwest University Kano (NWU)
Browse all universities in Nigeria by state.
Found an error or have an update from NDA? Drop a comment below — corrections are reviewed and published quickly so other candidates benefit.