This is to inform all JAMB candidates offering the Use of English in the JAMB 2025 UTME that the new Syllabus for 2025/2026 Jamb exam is out. Candidates can download or view the pdf format here

The Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination syllabus for the Use of English is designed to prepare the candidates for the Board’s examination.

The following are what the students are expected to achieve through this syllabus:

1. demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the concepts of the diversity, interdependence and unity of life;
   2. account for the continuity of life through reorganization, inheritance and evolution;
   3. apply biological principles and concepts to everyday life, especially to matters affecting living things, individuals, society, the environment, community health and the economy.

A. Comprehension/Summary JAMB 2025 Use of English Syllabus

Topics: JAMB 2025/2026 Use of English Syllabus

(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) Novels to be Read:
(i.) UTME Candidates: “In Dependence” by Sarah Ladipo Manyika
(ii.) DE Candidates: The Last Days at Forcados High School, A. H. Mohammed.
(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.

Objectives:

Candidates should be able to:
i. identify main points/topic sentences in passages;
ii. determine implied meaning;
iii. identify the grammatical functions of words, phrases, clauses and figurative/idiomatic expressions;
iv. deduce or infer the writer’s intentions, including mood, attitude to the subject matter and opinion.

B. Lexis and Structure JAMB 2021/2022 Use of English Syllabus

Topics: JAMB 2021 Use of English Syllabus
(a) synonyms
(b) antonyms
(c) homonyms
(d) clause and sentence patterns
(e) word classes and their functions
(f) mood, tense, aspect, number, agreement/concord, degree (positive, comparative and superlative) and question tags
(g) punctuation and spelling
(h) ordinary usage, figurative usage and idiomatic usage are to be tested.

NOTE:
Idioms to be tested shall be those that are formal and expressed in standard British English.

Objectives: JAMB 2025/2026 Use of English Syllabus

Candidates should be able to:
i. identify words and expressions in their ordinary, figurative and idiomatic contexts;
ii. determine similar and opposite meaning of words;
iii. differentiate between correct and incorrect punctuation and spelling;
iv. identify various grammatical patterns in use;
v. interpret information conveyed in sentences.

C. Oral Forms JAMB 2025 Use of English Syllabus

Topics:

(a) Vowels (monophthongs and diphthongs
(b) Consonants (including clusters)
(c) Rhymes (including homophones)
(d) Word stress (monosyllabic and polysyllabic)
(e) Intonation (words emphatic stress)
NOTE:
Emphatic stress involves the placement of normal stress on words in an utterance for emphasis.

Objectives: 

Candidates should be able to:
i. make distinctions between vowel types;
ii. differentiate between consonant types;
iii. identify correct accentuation in individual words and connected speech.

THE STRUCTURE OF THE EXAMINATION JAMB 2025/2026 Use of English Syllabus

SECTION A: Comprehension/Summary JAMB 2025/2026 Use of English Syllabus

Topics: JAMB 2025 Use of English Syllabus

(a) 2 comprehension passages – 10 questions, 3 marks each = 30 marks
(b) I cloze passage – 10 questions, 2 marks each = 20 marks
(c) 1 reading text – 15 questions, 1 mark each = 15 marks = 65 marks

SECTION B: Lexis Structure JAMB 2025/2026 Use of English Syllabus

Topics: JAMB 2025/2026 Use of English Syllabus

(a) Sentence interpretation – 10 questions, 2 marks each = 20 marks
(b) Antonyms – 10 questions, 2 marks each = 20 marks
(c) Synonyms – 10 questions, 1 mark each = 10 marks
(d) Sentence completion – 20 questions, 1 mark each = 20 marks = 70 marks

SECTION C: Oral Forms JAMB 2025/2026 Use of English Syllabus

Topics: JAMB 2021 Use of English Syllabus

15 questions, 1 mark each = 15 marks

Total: 100 questions 65 + 70 + 15 = 150 marks

RECOMMENDED TEXTS JAMB 2025 USE OF ENGLISH SYLLABUS

Attah, M. O. (2013) Practice in Spoken English for Intermediate and Advanced Learners, Maiduguri: University of Maiduguri Press

Bamgbose, A. (2002) English Lexis and Structure for Senior Secondary Schools and colleges (Revised Edition), Ibadan: Heinemann

Banjo, A. et al (2004) New Oxford Secondary English Course Book Six for Senior Secondary Schools, Ibadan: UP Plc.

Caesar, O. J. (2003) Essential Oral English for Schools and Colleges, Lagos: Tonad Publishers Limited

Daniel Jones (2011) Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press

Egbe, D. I (1996) Mastering English Usage and Communication Skills, Lagos: Tisons

Elugbe, B. (2000) Oral English for Schools and Colleges, Ibadan: Heinemann

Grant, N. J. H, Nnamonu, S. Jowitt, D. (1998) Senior English Project 3, (New Edition) Harlow: Longman

Idowu, O. O, Sogbeson, T. S, Adofo, A. K. Burgess, D. F and Burgess, L. J. (1998) Round-up English: A Complete Guide, Lagos: Longman

Idris, U. (2001) Oral English at Your Fingertips for Schools and Colleges, Lagos, M. Youngbrain Publishers

Igiligi, E. C. and Ogenyi, S. O. (2010) Grammar and Composition in the G.S.M. Age, Enugu: Joe Hills Production Services

Jauro, L. B. (2013) Oral English for Schools and Colleges: A teaching and Learning Approach, Yola: Paraclete Publishers.

Nnamonu, S. and Jowitt, D. (1989) Common Errors in English, Lagos: Longman

Obinna, M. F. (2001) University Matriculation Use of English,(Fourth Edition) Port Harcourt: Sunray Books Limited

Ogunsanwo, O. Duruaku, A. B.C, Ezechukwu, J and Nwachukwu, U. I (2005) Countdown English Language, (Revised Edition), Ibadan: Evans

Olatoye, S. (2006) The Silent Teacher, Ado-Ekiti: Segun and Sons Enterprises

Oluikpe, B. O. A, nnaemeka, B. A, Obah, T. Y, Otagburuagu, E. J. Onuigbo, S. and Ogbonna, E. A. (1998) Intensive English for Senior Secondary School 3, Onitsha: Africana – FIRST Publisher.

Tomori, S. H. O (2000) Objective Tests for School Certificate English: Practice in Lexis, Structure and Idiom (Reprinted Edition), Ibadan: Heinemann

Ukwuegbu, C, Okoro, O., Idris, A. U., Okebukola, F. O. and Owokade, C. O. (2002) Catch-up English for SSCE/UME, Ibadan: Heinemann