JAMB Syllabus For English Language 2027/2028
Date Published: 2026-07-20 09:54:37
Author: Rabiu Francis
Date Modified: 2026-08-01 08:05:54
JAMB Syllabus For English Language 2027 from JAMB
JAMB SYLLABUS FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE 2027:
1. GENERAL OBJECTIVES
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 level.

2. The syllabus consists of three sections:
SECTION A: Comprehension/Summary
SECTION B: Lexis and Structure, and
SECTION C: Oral Forms
Gain Access to Likely 2026 WAEC GCE Questions and Answers all Subjects
A. Comprehension/Summary
Topics:
(a) description
(b) narration
(c) exposition
(d) argumentation/persuasion
(i) Each of the two 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) “Sweet Sixteen” by Bolaji Abdullahi
(e) Synthesis of ideas from the passages.
NOTE:
By synthesis of ideas is meant 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;
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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.
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B. Lexis and Structure
Topics:
(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:
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.
Explore WAEC GCE Specimens 2026/2027 for Effective Prep
C. Oral Forms
Topics:
(a) Vowels (monothongs 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 the purpose of emphasis.
Objectives:
Candidates should be able to:
i. make distinctions between vowel types;
ii. differentiate between consonant types;
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iii. identify correct accentuation in individual words and connected speech.
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THE STRUCTURE OF THE EXAMINATION
SECTION A: Comprehension/Summary
Topics:
(a) 1 comprehension passage – 5 questions
(b) I cloze passage – 10 questions
(c) 1 reading text – 10 questions
SECTION B: Lexis Structure on JAMB SYLLABUS FOR English language
Topics:
(a) Sentence interpretation – 5 questions
(b) Antonyms – 5 questions
(c) Synonyms – 5 questions
(d) Sentence completion – 10 questions
SECTION C: Oral Forms on JAMB Syllabus for English Language
Topics:
10 questions
Total: 60 questions
Download JAMB Syllabus For English Language 2027 as PDF
RECOMMENDED TEXTS
- 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
- Okediran W. (2019) Strange Encounters. Ibadan: HEBN Publishers Plc.
- Adamu K.U. (2010) Hope In Anarchy. Ibadan: University Press Plc. Use of English 202
- Adamu K.U. (2009) The Village Tradesman. Ibadan: University Press Plc
- Nwaubani A. T. (2019) Buried Beneath The Baobab Tree. Lagos: Masobe
- Carinton A. (2017) Defend the Defenceless.
FAQs
How Many Questions Are in JAMB English?
The JAMB Use of English has 60 questions: Comprehension/Summary, Lexis Structure, and Oral Forms.
How is the JAMB English Score Calculated?
In JAMB Use of English, Comprehension passages questions carry 3 marks each; Cloze passage questions carry 2 marks each; novel questions carry 1 mark per question; Sentence interpretation questions carry 2 marks each; Antonyms questions carry 2 marks each; Synonyms questions carry 1 mark each, Sentence completion questions carry 1 mark each while Question test on oral is 1 mark each.
If the total score for English set for you is 60 but you scored 50, JAMB concludes with this calculation: 45/60×100 (in percentage). Then, your mark will be 75%. This calculation conforms with the official JAMB syllabus explanation in their 100-question standard
That will be all for now on JAMB Syllabus For English Language 2027/2028 Session.
