* Your chosen course: Highly competitive courses (like Medicine, Law, Engineering, etc.) usually require much higher JAMB scores. A 197 might be sufficient for less competitive courses.
* Your chosen university: Different universities have different cut-off marks. Some universities might accept lower scores than others. Private universities generally have lower cut-off marks than public universities.
* Your O'Level grades: Your performance in your O'Level examinations (WAEC, NECO, etc.) is crucial. Excellent O'Level grades can compensate for a slightly lower JAMB score, especially if the university has a good aggregate calculation system.
* The availability of spaces: Even if you meet the cut-off marks, admission depends on the number of available spaces in the department you're applying for.
In short, a 197 JAMB score isn't automatically disqualifying, but your chances are significantly lower than someone with a higher score. You should:
* Check the JAMB cut-off marks for your desired university and course: This is the most important step.
* Check the admission requirements for your chosen university and course: This includes both JAMB scores and O'Level grades.
* Consider less competitive courses or universities: This might increase your chances of admission.
You should contact the admissions office of the universities you're interested in to get the most accurate and up-to-date information about their admission requirements.