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JAMB Syllabus 2025/2026-Use of English

Published on Sep 9, 2025 • Education

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:

1. Section A: Comprehension and Summary
2. Section B: Lexis and Structure
3. 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.

Credit; Myschool,Allcbts