Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has officially opened its Post-UTME and Direct Entry online screening exercise for the 2026/2027 academic session.
If you sat for the 2026 UTME and chose ABU as your first choice, this guide covers the cut-off mark, screening dates, fees, required documents, and the questions candidates ask most, explained in plain language.
Contents
What Is the ABU Post UTME Screening Exercise?
The Post-UTME screening is the second and compulsory stage of ABU’s admission process for UTME candidates.
According to the university’s official Special Bulletin, any UTME or Direct Entry candidate who fails to register for the screening exercise will not be considered for admission into Ahmadu Bello University, no matter how high their JAMB score is.
In other words, meeting the cut-off mark is not enough on its own; completing this screening registration is mandatory.
When Did Registration Open for 2026/2027?
Registration for the 2026 UTME/DE screening exercise began on Monday, 6 July 2026, after the university published an official Special Bulletin.
Candidates were advised to complete their registration online through the approved ABU portal with accurate personal, academic, and document details.
Cut-Off Mark for 2026/2027
The general minimum UTME score required to be eligible for ABU’s Post-UTME screening is 180.
Candidates must have scored 180 or above in the 2026 UTME and must have selected Ahmadu Bello University as their first-choice institution.
It’s worth noting that ABU reserves the right to set departmental cut-off marks above this general baseline for highly competitive programmes, so candidates applying for courses such as Medicine, Law, Pharmacy, or Engineering should expect the practical cut-off for their specific department to be higher, sometimes ranging from 200 up to 250 or more depending on demand for that session.
Screening and Closing Dates: What to Know
The specific dates reported for the 2026/2027 screening cycle vary across sources.
Some reports indicate that online registration was expected to run through to around 6 August 2026, while other coverage of the university’s schedule points to the physical Computer-Based Test (CBT) screening exercise itself being held from Monday, 21 August to Wednesday, 9 September 2026, with registration on the ABU portal continuing until the last day of the screening exercise.
Given this variation, candidates should not wait until the last moment based on any single reported date; the safest approach is to register as early as possible and check the official ABU website (abu.edu.ng) or the screening portal directly for the most current and accurate schedule.
Where Does the Screening Take Place?
The ABU Post-UTME screening is conducted as a physical Computer-Based Test (CBT) held exclusively at the university’s Samaru Main Campus in Zaria, Kaduna State.
There are no satellite centres, which means eligible candidates must travel to Zaria to sit the test after printing their scheduling or acknowledgement slip.
Candidates who fail to appear at the designated screening centre after registering will not be considered for admission, so this step cannot be skipped or substituted.
Screening Fee and How to Pay
The registration charge for the 2026/2027 screening exercise is a non-refundable ₦2,000.
You can pay online using a debit/ATM card, or print the transaction slip generated on the portal and pay at any commercial bank branch across Nigeria.
This means candidates do not need to travel to Zaria to make payment; only the physical CBT requires an in-person visit.
General Eligibility Requirements
Beyond the UTME score, candidates must also meet the following conditions to be eligible for ABU’s 2026/2027 Post-UTME screening:
- Must have chosen Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, as first choice in the 2026 UTME. Second-choice candidates are not eligible unless they formally change their institution choice on JAMB CAPS.
- Must possess at least five credit passes in relevant O’Level subjects (WAEC, NECO, GCE, or equivalent), obtained in not more than two sittings, including English Language and Mathematics where required for the chosen course.
- Must have the correct UTME subject combination matching the requirements of the intended course, as incorrect combinations may affect eligibility or admission outcomes.
- Candidates still awaiting their O’Level results are advised to wait until those results are released and properly uploaded to JAMB CAPS before completing their screening registration, rather than submitting incomplete information.
How to Apply for the ABU Post UTME Form
The general application process follows this pattern:
- Confirm your UTME score meets the general 180 cut-off, or the higher mark set for your specific department where applicable.
- Visit the official Ahmadu Bello University website and locate the 2026/2027 UTME/DE Screening Registration link, or go directly to the ABU eForms portal.
- Log in using your JAMB registration number and the other credentials specified on the portal.
- Pay the non-refundable ₦2,000 screening fee through the approved payment channel, either online via card or by paying the printed transaction slip at any commercial bank.
- Fill in your personal details, academic information, and O’Level subject grades accurately, ensuring your JAMB subject combination matches your chosen programme.
- Upload any required supporting documents, such as your passport photograph and O’Level result details.
- Review every entry carefully before final submission, since errors can affect your screening outcome.
- Print your scheduling or acknowledgement slip and keep it safe; you will need it, along with your original JAMB and Post-UTME printouts, when you report for the physical CBT at Samaru Main Campus.
Required Documents for the Physical Screening
Based on the university’s standard screening practice, candidates should bring the following originals (with photocopies) when reporting for the CBT:
- Original JAMB UTME registration printout/slip
- Original Post-UTME registration/scheduling slip
- O’Level result(s) (WAEC/NECO/NABTEB/GCE)
- Valid means of identification
- Passport photographs
- Evidence of payment for the screening form
Tips to Improve Your Admission Chances
- Aim well above the general 180 cut-off, especially if you’re applying for a competitive course, since departmental cut-offs are frequently set higher than the university-wide baseline.
- Be aware of ABU’s Federal Catchment Area policy. Candidates whose state of origin falls outside the university’s traditional catchment region may need a notably higher score to be competitive on the national merit list, so it helps to understand how this may affect your specific application.
- Double-check your UTME and O’Level subject combination against your intended course’s exact requirements before registering, since a mismatch can affect your eligibility even with a strong score.
- Register as early as possible once the portal opens rather than waiting close to any reported closing date, since dates can occasionally be adjusted or reported differently across sources.
- Keep both digital and physical copies of every document, since you’ll need originals for physical verification on the day of the CBT.
- Do not skip the screening registration under any circumstances. ABU has stated plainly that failure to register means you will not be considered for admission, regardless of your JAMB score.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the general cut-off mark for ABU’s 2026/2027 Post-UTME screening?
The general minimum is 180, though departmental cut-off marks for competitive courses are often set higher.
2. When did registration for the 2026/2027 screening exercise open?
Registration officially opened on Monday, 6 July 2026, following the university’s Special Bulletin.
3. Is the ABU Post-UTME test written or computer-based?
It is always a Computer-Based Test (CBT), held physically at the ABU Samaru Main Campus in Zaria.
4. Can I sit the Post-UTME test at a centre closer to my home state?
No. ABU does not operate satellite screening centres.
All candidates must travel to the Samaru Main Campus in Zaria to sit the physical CBT.
5. How much is the screening fee, and how do I pay it?
The fee is ₦2,000, non-refundable, payable online via debit card or by paying a printed transaction slip at any commercial bank branch in Nigeria.
6. What happens if I don’t register for the screening exercise?
You will not be considered for admission into Ahmadu Bello University for the 2026/2027 academic session, regardless of how high your UTME score is.
7. Can I still apply if ABU was my second choice on JAMB?
Generally, no. You would need to formally change your institution choice to ABU on JAMB CAPS before you can be considered eligible for the screening exercise.
8. What if I’m still waiting for my O’Level results?
You are advised to wait until your results are released and properly uploaded on JAMB CAPS before completing your screening registration, rather than submitting incomplete details.
9. Does scoring above the 180 cut-off guarantee admission?
No. Meeting the cut-off mark only makes you eligible for the screening exercise.
Final admission depends on your overall performance, departmental ranking, catchment area considerations, and available slots for your chosen course.
10. Who do I contact if I have questions about my registration?
Direct enquiries to the official phone numbers and contact details published alongside the screening notice on the ABU website, rather than relying on unofficial sources.
Final Thoughts
The ABU Post UTME Form for the 2026/2027 session is a mandatory step for every UTME candidate who chose Ahmadu Bello University as their first choice, and skipping it means forfeiting your chance at admission regardless of your JAMB score.
With a general cut-off mark of 180, a ₦2,000 screening fee, and a physical CBT held exclusively at the Samaru Main Campus in Zaria, the keys to a smooth application are registering early, confirming your exact subject combination and departmental requirements, and keeping every required document ready for the day of your screening.
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