JAMB Use of English Syllabus 2027: Full Topics, Objectives and Recommended Textbooks

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Last updated: October, 2026

Use of English is the one subject every UTME candidate must write, so it pays to know exactly what the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) can ask. The syllabus tells you the topics, and it also gives the exact structure of the paper.

This page lists all three sections of the official JAMB Use of English syllabus, the skills you are expected to show, how the 60 questions are shared out, and the textbooks JAMB recommends. You will also find a six-week study plan, sample questions and answers to frequently asked questions.

Quick Facts

• Exam: Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), computer-based
• Subject: Use of English (also searched as English Language)
• Syllabus sections: 3 (Comprehension and Summary, Lexis and Structure, Oral Forms)
• Number of questions: 60
• Passage length: each of the three passages is about 200 words, and one of them is a cloze test
• Reading text: there is also a set of questions on JAMB’s approved reading text
• Source: Official JAMB syllabus

In This Guide

1. Aim and objectives of the syllabus
2. The three sections at a glance
3. Structure of the examination (how the 60 questions are shared)
4. Detailed syllabus (topics and what you should be able to do)
5. Recommended textbooks
6. Six-week study plan
7. Sample questions
8. Subject combinations
9. FAQs

Aim and Objectives

The aim of the UTME Use of English syllabus is to guide candidates in their preparation for the Board’s examination. It is designed to evaluate the candidate’s ability to:

• Communicate effectively in both written and spoken English.
• Use the English language for learning at the tertiary level.

The Three Sections at a Glance

• Section A: Comprehension and Summary. Passages on description, narration, exposition and argumentation or persuasion, plus questions on the approved reading text.
• Section B: Lexis and Structure. Synonyms, antonyms, sentence patterns, word classes, grammar and usage.
• Section C: Oral Forms. Vowels, consonants, rhymes, word stress and emphatic stress.

Structure of the Examination

The paper has 60 questions in total.

Section A: Comprehension and Summary (25 questions)

• 1 comprehension passage: 5 questions
• 1 summary passage: 5 questions
• 1 cloze passage: 10 questions
• 1 reading text: 5 questions

Section B: Lexis and Structure (25 questions)

• Sentence interpretation: 5 questions
• Antonyms: 5 questions
• Synonyms: 5 questions
• Basic grammar: 10 questions

Section C: Oral Forms (10 questions)

• Vowels, consonants, rhymes, word stress and emphatic stress: 2 questions each

Detailed Syllabus

Section A: Comprehension and Summary

• Passage types: description, narration, exposition, and argumentation or persuasion.
• Passages: each of the three passages (one is a cloze test) reflects various disciplines and is about 200 words long.
• What the questions test:
  • Comprehension of the whole or part of each passage.
  • Comprehension of words, phrases, clauses, sentences, figures of speech and idioms as used in the passages.
  • Coherence and logical reasoning, such as deductions and inferences.
  • The approved reading text.
  • Synthesis of ideas from the passages. Synthesis means combining separate pieces of information into one complete whole as a summary.
• You should be able to:
  • Identify main points and topic sentences in passages.
  • Determine implied meanings.
  • Identify the grammatical functions of words, phrases, clauses and figurative or idiomatic expressions.
  • Deduce or infer the writer’s intentions, including mood, attitude to the subject and opinion.

Section B: Lexis and Structure

• Topics:
  • Synonyms and antonyms
  • Clause and sentence patterns
  • Word classes and their functions
  • Mood, tense, aspect, number, agreement (concord), degree (positive, comparative, superlative) and question tags
  • Mechanics
  • Ordinary, figurative and idiomatic usage
• Note: the idioms tested are formal ones expressed in Standard British English.
• You should be able to:
  • Identify words and expressions in their ordinary, figurative and idiomatic contexts.
  • Determine similar and opposite meanings of words.
  • Tell correct spellings from incorrect ones.
  • Identify grammatical patterns in use.
  • Interpret information conveyed in sentences.

Section C: Oral Forms

• Topics:
  • Vowels (monophthongs, diphthongs and triphthongs)
  • Consonants, including clusters
  • Rhymes, including homophones
  • Word stress, in monosyllabic and polysyllabic words
  • Emphatic stress in connected speech. This means placing stress on words in an utterance for emphasis.
• You should be able to:
  • Make distinctions among vowel types.
  • Differentiate among consonant types.
  • Identify the correct pronunciation of individual words and the articulation of connected speech.

Recommended Textbooks

JAMB lists these texts for Use of English:

• 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. et al (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. et al (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. et al (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. et al (2002). Catch-up English for SSCE/UME. Ibadan: Heinemann.

Approved reading text: [Insert the approved reading text for 2027 after confirming it on JAMB’s official website.]

Six-Week Study Plan

• Week 1: Comprehension. Read one passage a day and answer questions on main ideas, implied meaning and the writer’s attitude.
• Week 2: Summary and cloze passages. Practise condensing a passage and choosing the right word for each gap.
• Week 3: The approved reading text. Read it fully and note the plot, characters, themes and setting.
• Week 4: Lexis and structure. Revise synonyms, antonyms, sentence interpretation, concord, tenses, word classes and question tags.
• Week 5: Oral forms. Practise vowels, consonants, rhymes, word stress and emphatic stress, saying the words aloud.
• Week 6: Revise weak areas and practise past questions under timed conditions.

Tips:

• Section A and Section B carry 25 questions each, so they decide most of your score.
• Read one passage and one set of questions every day. Comprehension improves with regular practice.
• Learn vocabulary in context, with a sentence for each new word.
• For oral English, say the words aloud, because you cannot learn stress and sounds by reading silently.
• Use the syllabus objectives as a checklist. If you cannot do what an objective says, you are not ready on that topic.

Sample Questions

1. Choose the word opposite in meaning to “generous”. A. Stingy B. Kind C. Rich D. Happy Answer: A
2. Choose the word closest in meaning to “reluctant”. A. Willing B. Unwilling C. Eager D. Quick Answer: B
3. Neither the teacher nor the students ___ present. A. was B. is C. were D. has been Answer: C
4. In which word does the main stress fall on the second syllable? A. WAter B. beGIN C. TAble D. HAPpy Answer: B
5. She is a nurse, ___? A. isn’t she B. doesn’t she C. is she D. wasn’t she Answer: A

Subject Combinations

Use of English is compulsory for every UTME candidate, so it is part of every subject combination. Candidates then choose three other subjects according to their course. Always check your chosen course and university in the JAMB brochure for the other three.

Related: JAMB Subject Combination for Your Course | JAMB Brochure | JAMB Recommended Textbooks for All Subjects | JAMB UTME Registration Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the JAMB Use of English syllabus?

It is the official JAMB document that lists the sections, topics, objectives and exam structure for Use of English in the UTME.

How many questions are in JAMB Use of English?

Sixty, shared as 25 in Comprehension and Summary, 25 in Lexis and Structure, and 10 in Oral Forms.

How many sections are in the syllabus?

Three: Comprehension and Summary, Lexis and Structure, and Oral Forms.

Is Use of English compulsory?

Yes. Every UTME candidate writes Use of English, together with three other subjects related to the course.

Is there a novel I must read for Use of English?

The syllabus lists an approved reading text with 5 questions, but it does not name the book.

Where can I get past questions for Use of English?

Click here

Check Other JAMB Subject Syllabuses

• All Subjects
• Use of English
• Agriculture Science
• Arabic
• Art
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Christian Religious Studies
• Commerce
• Computer studies
• Economics
• French
• Geography
• Government
• Hausa
• History
• Home-Economics
• Igbo
• Islamic-Studies
• Literature-In-English
• Mathematics
• Music
• Physics
• Physical and Health Education
• Principles of Accounts
• Yoruba