If you are looking for the JAMB English syllabus to guide your UTME preparation, this page has everything you need. Use of English is the one subject every JAMB candidate must sit regardless of their course or subject combination, which makes understanding its syllabus one of the most important steps you can take before you begin studying.
The JAMB English syllabus tells you the exact topics from which all your Use of English questions will be drawn. Every comprehension passage, every lexis and structure question, every oral forms question in your exam will come from the areas listed in this syllabus. If you focus your preparation on these topics, you are studying exactly what JAMB expects you to know.
We at Acadalite recommend studying the English syllabus alongside the JAMB recommended English textbooks and practising with English past questions for the best results. With that combination in place, Use of English can become one of your highest-scoring subjects in the UTME.
Note that JAMB sets 60 questions in the Use of English examination, more than any other subject. All 60 questions come strictly from the topics in this syllabus.
Table of Contents
Topics in the JAMB Use of English Syllabus
The JAMB English syllabus is divided into three main sections: Comprehension and Summary, Lexis and Structure, and Oral Forms. Every question in your Use of English UTME paper will come from one of these three areas. Familiarise yourself with each section below and use this list to guide your daily study sessions.
A free PDF version of the full syllabus is available for download at the end of this page. You can save it to your phone or tablet for offline reference during your preparation.
A. Comprehension and Summary
Two passages are set in this section, and one of them will be a cloze passage. Questions from this section test the following skills and areas of knowledge.
- Comprehension of the whole or part of each passage.
- Comprehension of words, phrases, clauses, sentences, figures of speech, and idioms as used in the passages.
- Coherence and logical reasoning, including deductions and inferences.
- Approved Reading Text: The Lekki Headmaster by Kabir Alabi Garba.
- Synthesis of ideas from the passages.
B. Lexis and Structure
This section covers a wide range of grammar and vocabulary topics that appear consistently across different JAMB exam years. These are the areas you should ensure you have thoroughly practised before your examination.
- Synonyms
- Antonyms
- Clause and sentence patterns
- Word classes and their functions
- Mood, tense, aspect, number
- Concord
- Degree (comparative and superlative)
- Question tags
- Mechanics
- Idiomatic expressions
C. Oral Forms
Oral Forms is a section that many candidates underestimate. It covers phonetics and sound patterns and contributes a significant number of questions to the Use of English paper. Study these topics carefully using your recommended English textbook and past question examples.
- Vowels (monothongs, diphthongs, and triphthongs)
- Consonants (including clusters)
- Rhymes (including homophones)
- Word stress (monosyllabic and polysyllabic)
- Emphatic stress
Source: JAMB IBASS
Download JAMB English Syllabus PDF
You can download the complete JAMB English syllabus PDF for free using the button below. Having it saved on your device means you can refer to it offline at any time during your preparation, whether you are at home, in school, or revising on the go.
Frequently Asked Questions About JAMB English Syllabus
What is the JAMB English syllabus?
The JAMB English syllabus is the official list of topics published by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board to guide candidates preparing for the Use of English UTME examination. It covers three main areas: Comprehension and Summary, Lexis and Structure, and Oral Forms. Every question in the Use of English paper is drawn from one of these three sections, which makes the syllabus the most important reference document for any candidate preparing for the English portion of their JAMB exam.
What topics are in the JAMB Use of English syllabus?
The JAMB Use of English syllabus covers three main topic areas. The first is Comprehension and Summary, which includes reading passages, cloze tests, the approved novel, figures of speech, and logical reasoning. The second is Lexis and Structure, which covers synonyms, antonyms, concord, tense, word classes, sentence patterns, question tags, and idiomatic expressions. The third is Oral Forms, which covers vowels, consonants, rhymes, word stress, and emphatic stress.
How many questions come from the JAMB English syllabus?
JAMB sets 60 questions in the Use of English examination, which is more than any other UTME subject. All 60 questions come strictly from the topics listed in the JAMB English syllabus. This is one of the reasons Use of English has such a significant impact on your total JAMB score and why preparing thoroughly for this subject is so important.
Can I download the JAMB English syllabus PDF?
Yes. You can download the free PDF version of the JAMB English syllabus directly from this page using the download button above. The PDF contains the complete syllabus and can be saved to your phone, tablet, or computer for offline study. We at Acadalite recommend keeping it accessible throughout your preparation period so you can cross-check your reading against the official topic list at any time.
Conclusion
The JAMB English syllabus is your most reliable guide for Use of English preparation. It tells you exactly what JAMB will test and removes all the guesswork from your reading.
Study the three sections thoroughly, make sure you have read the approved novel, and practise consistently with English past questions so that you are familiar with how JAMB phrases its questions before exam day.
For a complete preparation strategy, combine this syllabus with the JAMB recommended textbooks and a structured JAMB study plan that covers all four of your subjects.
You can also check our guide on JAMB syllabus for all subjects to download the syllabuses for your remaining three subjects.
Join our WhatsApp JAMB lesson group for daily tips and updates as your exam date draws closer. We wish you the very best in your UTME.