Gaining admission into Nigeria’s prestigious Delta State University of Science and Technology (DSUST) is highly competitive. Achieving the required aggregate cut-off marks is crucial for admission and varies across faculties based on academic rigor and seats availability.
This comprehensive guide provides an in-depth perspective on how DSUST aggregate scores are calculated, component weightings, cut-offs for different programmes, and tips to improve your chances of admission success.
Overview of DSUST Admission Criteria
DSUST bases its admission decisions on students’ performance across 3 examinations:
- UTME: Compulsory exam conducted by JAMB for every university applicant
- Post UTME: Screening exam conducted by DSUST for aspiring candidates
- O’Levels: WASSCE/NECO results representing prior academic achievements
An aggregate score is calculated for each applicant by combining their UTME, Post UTME and O’Level scores per defined weightage formulas.
Key Features
- Score requirements and weightings vary across DSUST faculties
- Higher aggregate scores needed for academically intensive programmes
- Excellent O’Level grades provide a significant score boost
Understanding the unique composition and cut-offs for your desired faculty is key to strategic planning and securing admission.
Standard DSUST Aggregate Score Formula
The standard aggregate score used by most faculties is calculated using:
Aggregate Score = (UTME Score x 50%) + (Post UTME Score x 50%)
It represents an equal 50:50 weightage given to a student’s UTME and Post UTME performances.
O’Level Bonus:
Additionally, students can gain bonus marks equivalent to 10% of their Post UTME score based on exceptional O’Level grades.
Let’s understand this better through an example:
Moji applies for Banking & Finance at DSUST and scored:
- UTME: 270/400
- Post UTME: 75/100
- O’Level:
- A1 in Mathematics
- B3 in English
- B2 in Economics
- C4 in Commerce
Her aggregate score will be:
UTME Score = 270 (50% of 270 = 135)
Post UTME Score = 75 (50% of 75 = 37.5)
O’Level Bonus @10% of Post UTME:
= 0.1 * 75 = 7.5 marks
Aggregate Score = 135 + 37.5 + 7.5 = 180 marks (67.5%)
This demonstrates how DSUST gives equal importance to both UTME & Post UTME, allowing well-rounded students to benefit.
Component Weightings Across Faculties
However, the total aggregate score formula and component weightages vary slightly across DSUST faculties to meet specific academic demands.
Weightage Variations in Key Faculties
| Faculties | UTME Weight | Post UTME Weight | O’Level Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sciences | 40% | 55% | 15% |
| Engineering | 45% | 50% | 10% |
| Management Sciences | 50% | 45% | 10% |
| Humanities | 55% | 40% | 15% |
| Social Sciences | 50% | 45% | 10% |
For instance, Science and Engineering programmes emphasizes more on Post UTME score given need for specialized technical aptitude.
Whereas Humanities and Social Sciences allot higher weightage to overall UTME performance judging student’s depth of knowledge.
DSUST Aggregate Cut-Off Marks
While the score calculation method remains similar, the cut-off marks allowing admission varies significantly across faculties each year based on:
- Number of available seats
- Number of applicants
- Academic rigor
- Faculty benchmark requirements
Here is an overview of the latest DSUST aggregate cut-offs for some top programmes:
| Programme | Cut-off Mark |
|---|---|
| Computer Science | 70% |
| Civil Engineering | 73% |
| Accounting | 68% |
| Business Administration | 65% |
| English Language | 60% |
| Economics | 63% |
Key Observations:
- Science and Engineering programmes have very high cut-offs above 70%
- Manageable cut-off marks of 60-65% for Arts/Humanities and some Social Science courses
- Cut-offs for specialized programmes like Accounting, Actuarial Science etc. are higher than generalized degrees
Meeting the specific cut-off requirements for your desired programme is pivotal to gain admission into DSUST.
SEE DSUST Portal: Admission | Student | Screening
Strategies to Improve Your Aggregate Score
If your aggregate score falls short of cut-offs, some tips to boost your chances of admission include:
1. Retake Post UTME next year
Thorough preparation through mock tests, coaching etc. can help significantly enhance your Post UTME score which carries the highest weightage for most programmes.
2. Retake certain WAEC/NECO papers
Scoring higher grades in key subjects like Mathematics, Physics etc. allows you to gain more O’Level bonus marks.
3. Request departmental transfers after Year 1
Explore departmental transfer options after completing 100 level for your admitted course, to shift to your original desired programme.
A combination of the above strategies can effectively help you attain improved aggregate scores to meet competitive DSUST cut-off benchmarks for your preferred course.
Conclusion
Getting admitted into DSUST necessitates strong aggregate scores, with high importance given to Post UTME and O’Level performances for most faculties. As observed, science and engineering degrees have markedly higher cut-offs than management, arts, and social sciences.
This detailed perspective of DSUST aggregate score calculations and component weights across faculties allows you to make informed strategic decisions.
Adequately preparing and excelling in key examinations vital for your faculty can ultimately optimize your chances of admission success.
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FAQs
Q1. Does DSUST have a general aggregate cut-off score applicable for all courses?
No, DSUST does not have a defined university-wide aggregate cut-off score. The cut-off mark varies distinctly for each faculty and programme based on demand ratios, difficulty levels and prerequisites.
Q2. Which DSUST faculties give highest weightage to Post UTME vs UTME?
Out of total aggregate score, Science & Engineering faculties allot 55% and 50% respectively to Post UTME performance. While Humanities and Social Sciences prioritize UTME, weighting it at 55% and 50%.
Q3. How is the O’Level bonus score applied in my aggregate calculation?
First your UTME & Post UTME marks are calculated as per faculty weightage. Then O’Level bonus of 10-15% of your Post UTME score is directly added to this initial aggregate number based on your WAEC/NECO grades.
Q4. Is there any programme that calculates aggregate without O’Level scores?
Yes, the vastly popular Medicine programme at DSUST calculates its aggregate score using just 70% of UTME + 30% of Post UTME marks. O’Level excellence can however help obtain admission at cut-off borderline cases.
Q5. Can I use awaiting NECO/WAEC results while applying to boost my aggregate?
If your current O’Level grades do not make you eligible, it is best to await your fresh WAEC/NECO results before applying rather than losing out a year. Use the waiting period to thoroughly prepare and target excelling in your Post UTME.
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Lasu Departmental Aggregate Score For All Courses
UDUA Aggregate Score for All Courses
