The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released the official Use of English syllabus for the 2025/2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). This syllabus is a vital guide designed to help candidates prepare effectively.
It serves two main purposes:
- To test your ability to communicate fluently in both written and spoken English.
- To ensure you can use English as a learning tool at the tertiary level.
For easy understanding, the syllabus is divided into three main sections:
- Section A: Comprehension and Summary
- Section B: Lexis and Structure
- Section C: Oral Forms
Section A: Comprehension and Summary
This part evaluates how well candidates can understand, analyze, and synthesize ideas from written passages.
Objectives
By the end of preparation, candidates should:
- Recognize words and expressions in their ordinary, figurative, and idiomatic contexts.
- Determine both synonyms and antonyms of given words.
- Spot errors in spelling and punctuation.
- Identify correct grammatical patterns.
- Interpret information conveyed in sentences.
- Point out main ideas or topic sentences in passages.
- Deduce implied meanings and writer’s tone or mood.
- Combine separate pieces of information to form a complete idea.
Topics
The questions in this section will come from:
- One comprehension passage (about 5 questions).
- One cloze passage (about 10 questions).
- One reading text (about 10 questions).
Reading Text (2025)
- The Lekki Headmaster by Kabir Alabi Garba.
Passage Types
Expect passages on description, narration, exposition, and argumentation/persuasion.
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Section B: Lexis and Structure
This section tests your vocabulary and understanding of English grammar.
Objectives
Candidates must:
- Recognize synonyms, antonyms, and homonyms.
- Identify and use the different classes of words and their functions.
- Apply correct tense, mood, aspect, number, agreement (concord), and degree of comparison.
- Interpret meanings of sentences correctly.
- Detect and correct errors in punctuation and spelling.
- Distinguish between ordinary, figurative, and idiomatic expressions.
Topics
Questions will include:
- Sentence interpretation – 5 questions.
- Synonyms – 5 questions.
- Antonyms – 5 questions.
- Sentence completion – 10 questions.
Important Note: Idioms tested will always be those expressed in formal Standard British English.
Section C: Oral Forms
The oral section checks your ability to listen and speak English correctly.
Objectives
Candidates should:
- Differentiate between vowel and consonant sounds.
- Identify rhymes, including homophones.
- Recognize correct stress in both monosyllabic and polysyllabic words.
- Apply the right intonation in speech.
- Understand the use of emphatic stress to change meaning.
Topics
- Vowels (monophthongs and diphthongs).
- Consonants (including clusters).
- Rhymes and homophones.
- Word stress (single and multiple syllables).
- Intonation and emphatic stress.
Structure of the Examination
The Use of English exam will feature:
- Section A (Comprehension/Summary): 25 questions.
- Section B (Lexis and Structure): 25 questions.
- Section C (Oral Forms): 10 questions.
Total: 60 questions.
Recommended Texts for JAMB English 2025
JAMB recommends the following texts for thorough preparation:
- Attah, M. O. (2013). Practice in Spoken English for Intermediate and Advanced Learners.
- Bamgbose, A. (2002). English Lexis and Structure for Senior Secondary Schools and Colleges.
- Banjo, A. et al. (2004). New Oxford Secondary English Course Book Six.
- Caesar, O. J. (2003). Essential Oral English for Schools and Colleges.
- Daniel Jones (2011). Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary.
- Egbe, D. I. (1996). Mastering English Usage and Communication Skills.
- Elugbe, B. (2000). Oral English for Schools and Colleges.
- Grant, N. J. H. et al. (1998). Senior English Project 3.
- Obinna, M. F. (2001). University Matriculation Use of English.
- Ogunsanwo, O. et al. (2005). Countdown English Language.
- Oluikpe, B. O. A. et al. (1998). Intensive English for Senior Secondary School 3.
- Tomori, S. H. O. (2000). Objective Tests for School Certificate English.
- Ukwuegbu, C. et al. (2002). Catch-Up English for SSCE/UME.
Final Tips for Success
- Practice daily: Focus on comprehension passages, vocabulary, and oral drills.
- Use WAEC and JAMB past questions: They mirror the actual exam format.
- Leverage CBT practice apps: This will help you adapt to JAMB’s digital testing environment.
- Master idioms and grammar rules: They form the bulk of tricky questions.
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