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Ikiodiete George
- 3 Min Read
Jamb English Syllabus + Cbt Exam Success Tips (2025/2026): Official Guide
Are you preparing for the JAMB Use of English exam in 2025/2026? This subject is compulsory for all UTME candidates, regardless of your intended course. Scoring high in JAMB English can significantly boost your overall UTME score. In this official guide, you’ll find the complete JAMB English syllabus, exam format, expert success tips, and helpful FAQs to help you succeed.
JAMB English Syllabus (2025/2026)
The JAMB Use of English syllabus covers comprehension, lexis and structure, oral forms, summary writing, and passages from recommended novels.
1. Comprehension and Summary
| Topics | What to Study |
|---|---|
| Comprehension Passages | Answering questions based on given passages |
| Summary Writing | Summarizing key ideas from passages |
| Main Ideas Identification | Recognizing the author’s main point |
| Logical Reasoning | Answering inference-based questions |
2. Lexis and Structure
| Topics | What to Focus On |
|---|---|
| Vocabulary Development | Synonyms, antonyms, idioms, and phrasal verbs |
| Sentence Completion | Choosing appropriate words to complete sentences |
| Collocation and Concord | Subject-verb agreement, appropriate word pairings |
| Registers | Vocabulary related to specific fields |
3. Oral Forms (Phonetics)
| Topics | What to Study |
|---|---|
| Vowel and Consonant Sounds | Monophthongs, diphthongs, triphthongs, consonant sounds |
| Stress Patterns | Word stress, sentence stress |
| Rhymes | Rhyming words and patterns |
| Intonation Patterns | Rising and falling intonation |
| Homophones and Homonyms | Definitions, examples, and usage |
4. English Grammar
| Topics | What to Focus On |
|---|---|
| Parts of Speech | Nouns, pronouns, adjectives, verbs, adverbs, etc. |
| Tenses | Present, past, perfect, continuous forms |
| Sentence Structures | Simple, compound, complex sentences |
| Direct and Indirect Speech | Converting between direct and reported speech |
5. Literary Appreciation (Recommended Novel)
| Topics | What to Study |
|---|---|
| Novel for 2025/2026 | JAMB usually recommends one novel each year (To be confirmed from official JAMB bulletin) |
| Themes and Characters | Major themes, plot, characters, and moral lessons |
| Setting and Plot | Storyline and locations of events |
Note: Always confirm the recommended novel from JAMB’s official bulletin.
JAMB English CBT Exam Format
| Exam Section | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Number of Questions | 60 multiple-choice questions |
| Comprehension/Summary | 15 questions |
| Lexis and Structure | 25 questions |
| Oral Forms (Phonetics) | 10 questions |
| Novel-based Questions | 10 questions |
| Exam Type | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Total Marks | 100 marks (Use of English counts as double subject in scoring) |
Top Success Tips for JAMB Use of English CBT Exam
| Success Tip | Why It’s Important |
|---|---|
| Master Recommended Novel | 10 questions are drawn from this |
| Practice Comprehension Passages | To improve reading speed and understanding |
| Focus on Lexis and Structure | Over 40% of the exam covers this section |
| Study Phonetics Basics | Rhymes, stress patterns, and vowel sounds |
| Improve Vocabulary | Helps in synonyms, antonyms, and sentence completion |
| Revise Parts of Speech and Tenses | Fundamental grammar tested every year |
| Solve JAMB Past Questions | To spot repeated patterns and question styles |
| Take CBT Mock Exams | Build speed and master the online exam format |
| Manage Time During Exam | Don’t waste too much time on comprehension passages |
| Avoid Guesswork When Possible | Use elimination method when unsure |
FAQs About JAMB Use of English Exam
1. How many questions are in JAMB Use of English?
60 multiple-choice questions.
2. What is the importance of the recommended novel?
10 direct questions are drawn from the recommended novel, making it a scoring area.
3. Does JAMB English have phonetics questions?
Yes. Expect questions on rhymes, stress patterns, and sounds.
4. Are past questions useful?
Yes. Many questions repeat, especially in lexis, grammar, and comprehension.
5. Which textbooks are recommended for JAMB Use of English?
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A-One English by Dele Ashade
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Exam Focus English Language
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JAMB Past Questions & Answers (Use of English)
Conclusion
To succeed in JAMB Use of English, you must read consistently, understand grammar rules, master the recommended novel, and solve comprehension questions efficiently. Pay attention to lexis and structure, phonetics, and oral forms as they make up a large percentage of the exam.
With regular practice and strict focus on the syllabus, you can easily score 70+ marks in JAMB Use of English, boosting your overall UTME score.
