The JAMB syllabus for Use of English covers a range of topics that are intended to assess a candidate’s ability to understand and use the English language effectively. The syllabus is divided into four main sections, each of which contains sub-topics that candidates are expected to be familiar with.
The syllabus consists of Four sections They Are
| Section | Lexis and Structure | Oral Forms | Comprehension | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Covers grammar, sentence structure, punctuation, and the correct use of words and phrases. | Covers comprehension of spoken English, phonetics, stress, and intonation. | Focuses on assessing a candidate’s ability to understand and interpret written passages. Topics covered include inference, critical reasoning, and analysis of literary texts. | Requires candidates to summarize a given passage using the appropriate language and structure. |
| Examples | – Correct use of verb tenses<br>- Proper use of punctuation<br>- Appropriate word choice | – Understanding different accents<br>- Pronouncing words correctly<br>- Using correct stress and intonation | – Identifying the main idea of a passage<br>- Drawing inferences from the text<br>- Analyzing the author’s tone and style | – Condensing a long passage into a few sentences<br>- Using appropriate language and tone<br>- Maintaining the original meaning of the text |
Use Of English GENERAL OBJECTIVES
There are 5 Major Objectives of the Jamb Use of English Syllabi which are:
- Proficiency in the English language
- Reading comprehension
- Critical thinking and analytical skills
- Written communication skills
- Time management skills
The General Objectives of the JAMB Use of English exam are to assess a candidate’s:
Proficiency in the English language: The exam is designed to test a candidate’s ability to communicate effectively in English, including their knowledge of grammar, vocabulary, and syntax.
Reading comprehension: Candidates are expected to read and understand passages of varying lengths and complexity and demonstrate their ability to interpret and analyze them.
Critical thinking and analytical skills: Candidates are required to demonstrate their ability to think critically, analyze information, and draw logical conclusions based on the information presented.
Written communication skills: Candidates are expected to demonstrate their ability to express their thoughts and ideas in writing, including their ability to organize their ideas, use appropriate language, and write coherently and effectively.
Time management skills: Candidates are expected to demonstrate their ability to manage their time effectively, particularly in the reading comprehension section, where they are required to read and answer questions on multiple passages within a limited time frame.
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Jamb Comprehensive Curriculum & Detail
| TOPICS/CONTENTS/NOTES | OBJECTIVES |
|---|---|
| Comprehension/ Summary | This objective aims to assess the candidate’s ability to comprehend and summarize a given passage. The passages will be from various disciplines and are about 200 words long. Candidates will be required to answer questions on the whole or part of the passage, identify the main points/topic sentences, determine implied meaning, and synthesize ideas from the passages. They should also be able to identify the grammatical functions of words, phrases, clauses, and figurative/idiomatic expressions. |
| Narration | This objective assesses the candidate’s ability to narrate a story. Candidates will be given a prompt and asked to write a story about it. The story should have a clear beginning, middle, and end, and the candidate should be able to use appropriate descriptive language to engage the reader. They should also be able to use dialogue and pacing effectively to create tension and interest in the story. |
| Exposition | This objective assesses the candidate’s ability to explain or describe a given topic. Candidates will be given a prompt and asked to write an exposition on it. The exposition should be well-structured and organized, with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Candidates should use appropriate language and supporting details to explain the topic clearly and concisely. They should also be able to use examples and analogies to make their points clear. |
| Argumentation/ Persuasion | This objective assesses the candidate’s ability to argue or persuade. Candidates will be given a prompt and asked to take a position on it. They should present their argument clearly and logically, with supporting evidence and examples. They should be able to anticipate and counter opposing arguments effectively. Candidates should also use rhetorical devices, such as ethos, logos, and pathos, to persuade the reader effectively. |
| TOPICS/CONTENTS/NOTES | OBJECTIVES |
|---|---|
| Synthesis of ideas | This objective tests the candidate’s ability to combine distinct pieces of information to form a complete whole. They should be able to understand the relationship between different ideas and concepts and integrate them effectively. |
| Lexis and Structure | This objective aims to assess the candidate’s knowledge of synonyms, antonyms, homonyms, clause and sentence patterns, word classes and their functions, mood, tense, aspect, number, agreement/concord, degree (positive, comparative, and superlative), and question tags. Candidates should also be able to use punctuation and spelling correctly and identify idiomatic, ordinary, and figurative usage. They should be able to interpret information conveyed in sentences, identify various grammatical patterns in use, and differentiate between words and expressions in their ordinary, figurative, and idiomatic contexts. |
| Oral Forms | This objective assesses the candidate’s knowledge of vowels (monophthongs and diphthongs), consonants (including clusters), rhymes (including homophones), word stress (monosyllabic and polysyllabic), and intonation (emphatic stress). Candidates should be able to differentiate between vowel and consonant types, identify correct accentuation in individual words and connected speech, and make distinctions between different word stress patterns. |
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is responsible for creating and updating the syllabus for the Use of English exam in Nigeria. The current JAMB syllabus for Use of English is the one released for the 2022 exam. It covers various aspects of the English language, including comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, summary, and oral English. It is recommended for JAMB candidates study the syllabus thoroughly in order to prepare adequately for the Use of English exam. Candidates can access the JAMB syllabus for Use of English on the JAMB official website or by visiting any JAMB accredited center.
