If you are preparing for the upcoming UTME, then getting the 2026 JAMB English Language syllabus PDF download is one of the most important steps you must take. JAMB uses this syllabus every year to set questions, so having the updated 2026 JAMB English Language syllabus PDF download will help you understand exactly what to read and how to read it.
USE OF ENGLISH
1. GENERAL OBJECTIVES
The aim of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) syllabus in Use of English is to guide 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 English Language for learning at the tertiary level.
2. The syllabus consists of three sections:
SECTION A: Comprehension and Summary
SECTION B: Lexis and Structure
SECTION C: Oral Forms
3. DETAILED SYLLABUS/CONTENTS
| TOPICS/CONTENTS/NOTES | OBJECTIVES |
| A. Comprehension and Summary | Candidates should be able to: |
| (a) description | i. identify main points/topic sentences in passages; |
| (b) narration | ii. determine implied meanings; |
| (c) exposition | iii. identify the grammatical functions of words, phrases, clauses and figurative /idiomatic expressions; and |
| (d) argumentation/persuasion | iv. deduce or infer the writers’ intentions including mood, attitude to the subject matter and opinion. |
| (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) Approved Reading Text (The Life Changer by Khadija Abubakar Jalli). | |
| (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 as summary. |
| TOPICS/CONTENTS/NOTES | OBJECTIVES |
| B. Lexis and Structure | Candidates should be able to: |
| (a) synonyms | i. identify words and expressions in their ordinary, figurative and idiomatic contexts; |
| (b) antonyms | ii. determine similar and opposite meanings of words; |
| (c) clause and sentence patterns | iii. differentiate between correct and incorrect spellings; |
| (d) word classes and their functions | iv. identify various grammatical patterns in use; and |
| (e) mood, tense, aspect, number, agreement/concord, degree (positive, comparative and superlative) and question tags | v. interpret information conveyed in sentences. |
| (f) mechanics | |
| (g) ordinary usage, figurative usage and idiomatic usage. | |
| NOTE: Idioms to be tested are those that are formal and expressed in Standard British English. (SBE). |
| TOPICS/CONTENTS/NOTES | OBJECTIVES |
| C. Oral Forms | Candidates should be able to: |
| (a) Vowels (monothongs, diphthongs and triphthongs) | i. make distinctions among vowel types; |
| (b) Consonants (including clusters) | ii. differentiate among consonant types; and |
| (c) Rhymes (including homophones) | iii. identify correct pronunciation of individual words and articulation of connected speech. |
| (d) Word stress (monosyllabic and polysyllabic) | |
| (e) Emphatic stress (in connected speech) | |
| NOTE: Emphatic stress involves the placement of stress on words in an utterance for the purpose of emphasis. |
D. THE STRUCTURE OF THE EXAMINATION
SECTION A: Comprehension and Summary
(a) 1 comprehension passage – 5 questions
(b) 1 cloze passage – 10 questions
(c) 1 reading text – 10 questions
SECTION B: Lexis and Structure
(a) Sentence interpretation – 5 questions
(b) Antonyms – 5 questions
(c) Synonyms – 5 questions
(d) Basic Grammar – 10 questions
SECTION C: Oral Forms
a) Vowels – 2 questions
b) Consonants – 2 questions
c) Rhymes – 2 questions
d) Word Stress – 2 questions
e) Emphatic Stress – 2 questions
Total: 60 questions
RECOMMENDED TEXTS
Adedimeji, M. A (2021) Doses of Grammar. Patigi. Ahman Pategi University Press.
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., Adeniran A., Akano, A. and Onoga, U. (2004) New Oxford Secondary English Course Book six for Senior Secondary Schools. Ibadan: University Press Plc.
Caesar, O. J. (2003). Essential Oral English for Schools and Colleges. Lagos: Tonad Publishers Limited.
Jones, D. (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. and 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 Brothers.
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 Publishers.
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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