Official Jamb English Syllabus For 2025/2026

The Use of English is a compulsory subject for all JAMB candidates, regardless of your course of study. It tests your ability to read, write, and comprehend standard English, which is crucial for academic success in any discipline. Below is the complete 2025 JAMB English syllabus to guide your preparation.

Objectives of the JAMB Use of English Syllabus

The syllabus is designed to test candidates’ ability to:

• Communicate effectively in English.

• Read and comprehend written texts.

• Interpret literary works and figures of speech.

• Understand the structure and grammar of the English language.

• Apply correct usage in speaking and writing.

Sections in the JAMB Use of English Exam

The JAMB English paper is divided into four major sections:

1. Comprehension and Summary

Topics Covered:

• Comprehension passages

• Contextual meaning of words

• Main ideas, supporting ideas

• Summary skills

Skills Tested:

• Ability to identify main and supporting ideas

• Deductions from the passage

• Word substitution and contextual meanings

• Summarizing paragraphs

2. Lexis and Structure

Topics Covered:

• Synonyms and antonyms

• Idioms and collocations

• Registers (subject-specific vocabulary)

• Sentence completion

• Concord (subject-verb agreement)

• Tenses and sequence of tenses

• Prepositions, determiners, and pronouns

Skills Tested:

• Proper usage of words

• Knowledge of correct sentence structure

• Ability to identify grammatical errors

3. Oral Forms (Oral English)

Topics Covered:

• Vowels and consonants

• Rhymes and syllables

• Stress (word and sentence stress)

• Intonation patterns

• Homophones and minimal pairs

Skills Tested:

• Recognition of correct pronunciation

• Understanding sound patterns in spoken English

• Application of stress and intonation

4. Literature (Prose, Drama, and Poetry)

Text Categories:

• Prose: Fiction, Non-fiction, Biography, Autobiography

• Drama: Comedy, Tragedy, Historical drama

• Poetry: Narrative, Lyrical, Ballad, Ode

Skills Tested:

• Literary appreciation and interpretation

• Identification of themes and messages

• Character analysis

• Understanding of literary devices (simile, metaphor, etc.)

Note: For 2025, JAMB will provide a list of recommended texts which include one prose, one drama, and one poetry text for detailed study.

Recommended Study Materials

• JAMB Past Questions and Answers (Use of English)

• “New Oxford Secondary English Course” by Hornby

• “Countdown to English” by Ogunsanwo

• JAMB-recommended novels (2025 text to be announced)

Expert Exam Tips for JAMB Use of English

1. Read Widely: Cultivate the habit of reading articles, novels, newspapers, and essays. It helps improve comprehension and vocabulary.

2. Practice Past Questions: Focus on time management and speed.

3. Master Common Idioms & Collocations: These often appear in lexical questions.

4. Study Phonetics: Understand vowel/consonant sounds and stress placement.

5. Summarize Paragraphs: Practice summarizing passages to pick out key points quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: How many questions are in JAMB Use of English?

A: There are 60 questions in total, covering comprehension, grammar, oral English, and literature.

Q2: Is Literature compulsory in JAMB English?

A: Yes. A section of the Use of English paper includes literature questions from the prescribed texts.

Q3: Will JAMB test Oral English?

A: Yes. About 10–15 questions will test your understanding of phonetics, stress, and intonation.

Conclusion

The JAMB Use of English syllabus for 2025/2026 is your roadmap to excelling in the most important paper in the UTME. It assesses your mastery of grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and literature. Stay consistent with your study plan, revise past questions regularly, and sharpen your reading and writing skills. With adequate preparation, you can score high and boost your overall UTME result.