-
Ikiodiete George
- 3 Min Read
Jamb English Cbt Exam (2025/2026): Full List Of Most Repeated Topics & Past Questions
Are you preparing for the 2025/2026 JAMB Use of English exam? Whether you're studying Law, Mass Communication, Medicine, or Education, English is a compulsory subject in JAMB and carries the highest score weight (100 marks).
If you want to pass the English section easily, focus on the most repeated topics and understand the structure of the questions.
This guide covers:
-
Repeated JAMB English topics
-
Sample past questions
-
Key focus areas like comprehension, lexis & structure, oral forms, and summary
-
Exam strategies for higher scores
JAMB Use of English Exam Format
| Section | Question Type | Number of Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Comprehension & Summary | Passages, interpretation, summary | 15–20 |
| Lexis & Structure | Vocabulary, grammar, sentence structure | 20–25 |
| Oral Forms | Phonetics, stress, intonation | 5–10 |
| Literature Texts | Prose, poetry, drama, figures of speech | 15–20 |
Total Marks: 100
Most Repeated Topics in JAMB English
JAMB repeats certain question types year after year. Here’s a breakdown:
| Topic | Key Areas to Focus On |
|---|---|
| Comprehension | Passage understanding, tone, main idea, inference |
| Summary | Key points extraction, paraphrasing |
| Sentence Completion | Correct grammar, logical sentence flow |
| Synonyms/Antonyms | Word meanings in context |
| Concord (Subject-Verb) | Grammatical agreement |
| Prepositions/Articles | Correct usage in sentences |
| Tenses | Past, present, future consistency |
| Idioms & Phrasal Verbs | Meanings in context |
| Oral English | Vowel/consonant sounds, stress patterns |
| Literature | Literary terms, figures of speech, context questions |
Topic Frequency Table (2015–2024)
| Topic | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Lexis & Structure | ✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅ |
| Comprehension Passages | ✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅ |
| Oral Forms | ✅✅✅✅✅✅ |
| Sentence Correction | ✅✅✅✅✅✅✅ |
| Summary Passages | ✅✅✅✅✅✅✅ |
| Literature Questions | ✅✅✅✅✅ |
✅= Frequently repeated
Sample JAMB Use of English Past Questions
1. Choose the correct option to complete the sentence:
"If I _____ earlier, I wouldn’t have missed the flight."
A. arrived
B. had arrived
C. was arriving
D. would arrive
✅ Correct Answer: B
2. In the sentence “He kicked the bucket,” the phrase means...
A. He became angry
B. He traveled
C. He died
D. He fell down
✅ Correct Answer: C
3. Select the correctly stressed word:
A. reCORD
B. REcord
✅ Correct Answer: A (noun)
4. Which of the following is NOT a figure of speech?
A. Metaphor
B. Simile
C. Alliteration
D. Explanation
✅ Correct Answer: D
Lexis & Structure Tips (Grammar & Vocabulary)
| Grammar Rule | Example |
|---|---|
| Subject-Verb Agreement | The boy runs, not run |
| Concord | Neither the teacher nor the students are ready |
| Idiom | “Beat around the bush” = Avoid the main point |
| Tense Consistency | “She has gone to the market.” (present perfect) |
Oral English (Phonetics) – Tips
| Focus Area | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Consonant sounds | Know voiced vs voiceless sounds (e.g., /b/ vs /p/) |
| Vowel sounds | Learn long vs short vowels (e.g., /i:/ vs /ɪ/) |
| Stress Patterns | Know how stress changes meaning (e.g., CONtract vs conTRACT) |
| Intonation | Learn rising and falling tones in question types |
Literature Section: What to Read
| Component | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Drama & Prose | Plot, characters, themes |
| Poetry | Literary devices, tone, mood |
| Figures of Speech | Metaphor, simile, irony, hyperbole, etc. |
JAMB may include compulsory texts depending on your year. Always check official JAMB syllabus or your school’s recommended reading list.
Top Tips to Pass JAMB English
-
Practice daily – Use CBT platforms to simulate exam.
-
Read newspapers – Helps improve comprehension and vocabulary.
-
Understand, don’t cram – Especially grammar and vocabulary.
-
Master summary writing – Focus on key points only.
-
Time yourself – Don't spend more than 1 min per question.
FAQs – JAMB English
Q1: How many questions are in JAMB English?
A: 60 questions in total, across 4 sections.
Q2: Is Oral English compulsory?
A: Yes, about 5–10 questions are usually asked from it.
Q3: Can I use past questions to pass?
A: Yes! JAMB often repeats question types and even exact questions.
Q4: Can I pass English without reading novels?
A: You need at least basic literary knowledge to tackle literature-based questions.
Final Thoughts
To succeed in the 2025/2026 JAMB Use of English exam, your focus should be on:
-
Mastering repeated question formats
-
Improving reading comprehension and vocabulary
-
Practicing past questions consistently
Remember, English carries 100 marks. It can be the key to crossing the 250+ mark and gaining admission into your dream course.
