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JAMB Use of English Syllabus 2026/2027 & Textbooks

By UTME2026 January 14, 2026 JAMB Syllabus 2026 0 Comments

The JAMB Use of English syllabus 2026/2027 focuses on Comprehension/Summary, Lexis and Structure, and Oral Forms, testing communication and language use for tertiary learning, with key areas including reading comprehension (description, narration, exposition, and argumentation), grammar, vocabulary, phonetics, and the prescribed novel, The Lekki Headmaster by Kabir Alabi Garba. Recommended materials include the official syllabus, dictionaries, and past questions, with a strong emphasis on reading widely and practicing with CBT apps.

Use of English is a compulsory UTME subject that tests candidates’ language skills, comprehension, grammar, and vocabulary. Strong reading ability and correct application of grammatical rules are essential for success. It is required for all courses and institutions.

With proper preparation, Use of English can be one of the easiest subjects to score 70+, but it is also easy to fail if underestimated.

The syllabus is divided into three sections:

SECTION A: Comprehension/Summary (25 questions)

Comprehension passage – 5 questions
Cloze passage (about 200 words) – 5 questions
Reading text (The Life Changer) – 10 questions

SECTION B: Lexis and Structure

Sentence interpretation – 5 questions
Antonyms – 5 questions
Synonyms – 5 questions
(Tests vocabulary, grammar, punctuation, spelling, and sentence meaning)

SECTION C: Oral Forms (10 questions)

Vowels (2), Consonants (2), Rhymes (2), Word stress (2), Emphatic stress (2)

Objective

The aim of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) syllabus in Use of English is to guide the candidates in their preparation for the Board’s examination. It is designed to evaluate the candidates’ ability to:

(i) Communicate effectively in both written and spoken English; and

(ii) Use the English Language for learning at the tertiary leve

JAMB Use of English Syllabus 2026/2027

SN	TOPICS	OBJECTIVES
A	Comprehension / Summary • Description • Narration • Exposition • Argumentation / Persuasion Notes: • Two passages (one cloze test), about 200 words each, drawn from various disciplines • Questions test comprehension, vocabulary, coherence, inference, and synthesis of ideas • Approved text: The Life Changer by Khadija Abubakar Jalli	Candidates should be able to: • Identify main ideas and topic sentences • Determine implied meanings • Identify grammatical functions of words, phrases, and clauses • Interpret figurative and idiomatic expressions • Infer the writer’s intention, mood, attitude, and opinion
B	Lexis and Structure • Synonyms, antonyms, homonyms • Clause and sentence patterns • Word classes and functions • Mood, tense, aspect, number, agreement/concord • Degree (positive, comparative, superlative) and question tags • Punctuation and spelling • Ordinary, figurative, and idiomatic usage Note: Only standard British English idioms are tested	Candidates should be able to: • Identify words in ordinary, figurative, and idiomatic contexts • Determine similar and opposite meanings of words • Distinguish between correct and incorrect punctuation and spelling • Identify grammatical patterns in use • Interpret meaning conveyed in sentences
C	Oral Forms • Vowels (monophthongs and diphthongs) • Consonants (including clusters) • Rhymes (including homophones) • Word stress (monosyllabic and polysyllabic words) • Intonation and emphatic stress Note: Emphatic stress involves placing stress for emphasis	Candidates should be able to: • Distinguish between vowel types • Differentiate consonant sounds • Identify correct stress and accentuation in words and connected speech

JAMB Use of English Textbooks 2026/2027

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, Sogbesan, 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

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