The short answer
| Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) | |
|---|---|
| UTME subjects | Use of English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics |
| National minimum (universities, 2026/27) | 150 |
| A safe target at a competitive federal university | 290+ |
| O'level | Five credits including English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics |
The target is our guidance, not an official figure. Departmental cut-offs are set by each institution every year, and many state and private universities admit well below it. Always confirm your combination in the JAMB brochure and on your chosen institution's admission page.
JAMB subject combination for Medicine and Surgery
Use of English, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. This one is fixed. Candidates who swap Physics for Mathematics because they find it easier discover afterwards that no medical school will consider them.
The same combination applies to most courses in the medical and health sciences: Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy, Medical Laboratory Science, Physiotherapy and others. If you are unsure between Medicine and a related course, this combination keeps both open.
JAMB cut-off mark for Medicine and Surgery
The minimum JAMB set for universities for the 2026/2027 session is 150. For Medicine and Surgery that number tells you very little: it only means you are allowed to apply.
Medicine is the most competitive course in Nigeria. At well-known federal universities there are far more qualified applicants than places, so the departmental cut-off and the post-UTME aggregate sit far above the national minimum. Scores in the high 200s are common among the candidates who get in.
Many universities also admit a share of candidates on catchment or state-of-origin quotas, which is why the score that gets one candidate in can fall short for another at the same school.
Set your own target: take last year's departmental cut-off at the institution you want, add 20 to 30 marks as a buffer, and divide by four. That is your per-subject average to train for. How cut-offs work explains the three different numbers involved.
O'level requirements
Five credits including English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, usually at no more than two sittings. Some institutions insist on one sitting for competitive courses. Your O'level is checked separately from your UTME, so a strong JAMB score does not rescue a missing credit.
How to prepare for Medicine and Surgery in JAMB
- Do not neglect English. It is 60 questions, and the highest scorers in the sciences often lose the most marks there. See Use of English.
- Physics is where medical candidates drop marks. Most prefer Biology and under-prepare Physics. Start with the topics that repeat.
- Biology rewards volume. It has the longest syllabus, so revise it in the right order.
- Train speed. A 290 needs roughly 72 per subject in two hours. Timed mocks, not untimed reading, are what get you there.
Questions people ask
What is the JAMB subject combination for Medicine and Surgery?
Use of English, Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
What is the JAMB cut-off mark for Medicine?
The national minimum for universities in 2026/27 is 150, but Medicine at competitive federal universities needs far more. Aim for 290 or above to be safe, and check your institution's departmental cut-off.
Can I study Medicine without Physics in JAMB?
Generally no. Physics is part of the required combination for Medicine and Surgery at Nigerian universities.
What O'level subjects do I need for Medicine?
Credits in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, usually at no more than two sittings. Some universities require one sitting.
Know how far off 290 you are. Sit a timed UTME mock and get your score out of 400, with the topics costing you most. Every one of those subjects is in the JAMBUDDY question bank. Free for 14 days, inside Telegram. Open @jamb_buddy_bot.