If you’re planning to take the JAMB exam, the Use of English syllabus is one of the most important guides you’ll need. This syllabus tells you all the topics and areas to focus on for the English paper in JAMB. It’s designed to help students understand what will come up in the exam so that they can prepare better.
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What is the JAMB Use of English Syllabus?
The JAMB Use of English syllabus is a guide that shows students what to study for the English paper in the JAMB exam. It breaks down all the areas you need to study—like reading comprehension, grammar, essay writing, and oral English. Using this syllabus helps students know where to focus their efforts so that they’re fully prepared for what JAMB will test.
Why Use the JAMB Use of English Syllabus?
With this syllabus, you’ll know the topics to study and avoid wasting time on areas that won’t appear in the exam. It’s like having a roadmap for your studies, helping you cover the important topics and practice in the right way.
Topics Covered in the JAMB Use of English Syllabus 2026/2027
The JAMB syllabus for Use of English covers several topics, including:
USE OF ENGLISH
1. GENERAL OBJECTIVES
The aim of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) syllabus in Use of English is to
guide candidates in their preparation for the Board’s examination. It is designed to evaluate the
candidates’ ability to:
- communicate effectively in both written and spoken English; and
- Use English Language for learning at the tertiary level.
2. The syllabus consists of three sections:
- SECTION A: Comprehension and Summary
- SECTION B: Lexis and Structure
- SECTION C: Oral Forms
3. DETAILED SYLLABUS/CONTENTS
TOPICS/CONTENTS/NOTES
A. Comprehension and Summary
- (a) description
- (b) narration
- (c) exposition
- (d) argumentation/persuasion
- (i) Each of the three passages to be set (one will be a cloze test) should reflect various disciplines and be about 200 words long.
- (ii) Questions on the passages will test the following:
- (a) Comprehension of the whole or part of each passage.
- (b) Comprehension of words, phrases, clauses, sentences, figures of speech, and idioms as used in the passages.
- (c) Coherence and logical reasoning (deductions, inferences, etc).
- (d) Approved Reading Text (The Life Changer by Khadija Abubakar Jalli).
- (e) Synthesis of ideas from the passages.
NOTE: Synthesis of ideas means the art of combining distinct or separate pieces of information to form a complete whole as summary.
OBJECTIVES
Candidates should be able to:
- i. identify main points/topic sentences in passages;
- ii. determine implied meanings;
- iii. identify the grammatical functions of words, phrases, clauses, and figurative /idiomatic
- expressions; and
- iv. deduce or infer the writers’ intentions including mood, attitude to the subject matter, and opinion.
B. Lexis and Structure
- (a) synonyms
- (b) antonyms
- (c) clause and sentence patterns
- (d) word classes and their functions
- (e) mood, tense, aspect, number, agreement/concord, degree (positive, comparative, and superlative), and question tags
- (f) mechanics
- (g) ordinary usage, figurative usage, and idiomatic usage.
NOTE: Idioms to be tested are those that are formal and expressed in Standard British English. (SBE).
OBJECTIVES
Candidates should be able to:
- i. identify words and expressions in their ordinary, figurative, and idiomatic contexts;
- ii. determine similar and opposite meanings of words;
- iii. differentiate between correct and incorrect spellings;
- iv. identify various grammatical patterns in use;
- v. interpret information conveyed in sentences.
C. Oral Forms
- (a) Vowels (monothongs, diphthongs and triphthongs)
- (b) Consonants (including clusters)
- (c) Rhymes (including homophones)
- (d) Word stress (monosyllabic and polysyllabic)
- (e) Emphatic stress (in connected speech)
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NOTE: Emphatic stress involves the placement of stress on words in an utterance for the purpose of emphasis.
OBJECTIVES
Candidates should be able to:
- i. make distinctions among vowel types;
- ii. differentiate among consonant types;
- iii. identify correct pronunciation of individual words and articulation of connected speech.
D. THE STRUCTURE OF THE EXAMINATION
SECTION A: Comprehension and Summary
| (a) | 1 comprehension passage | 5 questions |
| (b) | 1 cloze passage | 10 questions |
| (c) | 1 reading text | 10 questions |
SECTION B: Lexis and Structure
| (a) | Sentence interpretation | 5 questions |
| (b) | Antonyms | 5 questions |
| (c) | Synonyms | 5 questions |
| (d) | Basic Grammar | 10 questions |
SECTION C: Oral Forms
| a | Vowels | 2 questions |
| b | Consonants | 2 questions |
| c | Rhymes | 2 questions |
| d | Word Stress | 2 questions |
| e | Emphatic Stress | 2 questions |
JAMB Syllabus for Use of English 2026/2027 Free PDF Download
How to Download the JAMB Syllabus for Use of English 2026/2027 PDF
Here’s how to get the JAMB Use of English syllabus in PDF format:
- Visit the JAMB Website: Go to www.jamb.gov.ng.
- Find the Syllabus Section: Look for the “Syllabus” section on the website.
- Select Use of English: Choose the “Use of English” syllabus from the list.
- Download PDF: Click to download the syllabus PDF file. Save it to your phone, tablet, or computer for offline access.
Tips for Using the JAMB Use of English Syllabus
To get the best out of the JAMB Use of English syllabus, here are some tips:
- Study One Topic at a Time: Focus on one topic, like grammar or vocabulary, and master it before moving to the next.
- Practice Regularly: Doing past JAMB questions on these topics will help you know what to expect.
- Revise Often: Go over your notes and practice every day to keep everything fresh in your mind.
- Use a Dictionary: When studying vocabulary, a simple dictionary can help you understand words better.
Benefits of Downloading the JAMB Use of English Syllabus PDF
Downloading the syllabus in PDF format gives you some added benefits:
- Easy Access Anytime: Once you have it, you can open it anytime you need to check something.
- Study Offline: You won’t need an internet connection to read the syllabus.
- Organized Learning: You can follow each topic in order and make sure you cover everything.
Conclusion
The JAMB Syllabus for Use of English 2026/2027 is a helpful guide to make sure you’re studying the right areas. It covers all the main parts of English that JAMB will test, from reading comprehension to grammar and vocabulary. By downloading and using this syllabus, you’ll be better prepared and feel more confident on exam day.
FAQs
Is the 2026/2027 JAMB Use of English syllabus free to download?
Yes, you can download it for free on the JAMB website.
Can I use the syllabus for WAEC or NECO English exams?
The JAMB syllabus is mainly for JAMB, but it can also help you with topics that appear in WAEC and NECO.
Are there recommended textbooks for the JAMB Use of English syllabus?
Yes, JAMB suggests some textbooks that cover all the topics in the syllabus. You can find these at bookstores or libraries.
Does JAMB test both written and spoken English?
Yes, the JAMB English exam includes both written parts (like grammar, comprehension, and essay writing) and oral parts (like pronunciation and stress).
How long should I spend studying each part of the syllabus?
Spend enough time on each part until you fully understand it. Try to cover all topics at least a few weeks before the exam, so you have time to revise.