JAMB Key Point For Use Of English 2026/2027 | Area Of Concentration

JAMB Key Points for Use of English 2026/2027: Important Topics to Study Are you looking for the JAMB Key Points for Use of English 2026/2027? If you are preparing for the 2026/2027 UTME, Use of English should be one of the subjects you take seriously because English Language is compulsory for JAMB candidates. The official JAMB Use of English syllabus is designed to assess candidates’ ability to communicate effectively in written and spoken English and to use English for learning at the tertiary level. The syllabus is divided into three major sections: Comprehension/Summary, Lexis and Structure, and Oral Forms. This article provides a comprehensive revision guide covering the major areas you should study for JAMB Use of English 2026/2027.

Important: These are syllabus-based study points, not leaked JAMB questions or questions guaranteed to appear in the examination. Candidates should use the current official JAMB syllabus alongside textbooks and past questions.

Table of Contents

JAMB Use of English Key Points 2026/2027

The major areas to study include:

Reading Comprehension
Summary
Cloze Test
Main Ideas and Topic Sentences
Inference and Deduction
Vocabulary and Lexis
Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms and Expressions
Figurative Expressions
Sentence Completion
Grammar and Structure
Parts of Speech
Concord
Tenses
Word Formation
Punctuation
Spelling
Common Errors
Oral English
Vowel Sounds
Consonant Sounds
Rhymes
Stress
Intonation
Prescribed Reading Text

These areas should form an important part of your revision plan.

1. JAMB Use of English Comprehension

Comprehension is one of the most important sections of Use of English. The official syllabus states that comprehension passages can involve forms such as description, narration, exposition, argumentation and persuasion. Questions may test understanding of the passage, vocabulary in context, logical reasoning, inference and the writer’s intention.

Important comprehension skills to develop:

Identifying the main idea
Identifying supporting details
Understanding the writer’s purpose
Finding information from a passage
Making deductions
Making inferences
Understanding words in context
Understanding phrases and clauses
Identifying the writer’s attitude
Identifying the writer’s opinion
Understanding figures of speech
Understanding idiomatic expressions

How to answer comprehension questions

Do not rush through the passage. Read the passage carefully and determine: What is the passage about? What is the writer trying to communicate? What evidence supports the answer? When a question asks for the meaning of a word, consider how the word is used in the passage rather than relying only on its dictionary meaning.

2. Main Idea and Topic Sentence

The main idea is the central point the writer is communicating. A topic sentence usually introduces the main point of a paragraph.

JAMB key point

When reading a passage, identify:

The subject
The main argument
Supporting points
Examples
Conclusions

Do not confuse a supporting example with the main idea.

3. Inference and Deduction

JAMB can test your ability to understand information that is not directly stated.

Inference

An inference is a conclusion reached from information provided in a passage.

Deduction

Deduction involves reaching a logical conclusion based on available information.

Study tip

When answering inference questions, avoid choosing an answer simply because it sounds reasonable. The answer should be supported by information contained in the passage.

4. Writer’s Tone, Attitude and Purpose

Candidates should learn how to identify the writer’s attitude. Possible attitudes include:

Critical
Optimistic
Pessimistic
Humorous
Serious
Sympathetic
Concerned
Supportive
Sarcastic

The writer’s purpose may be to:

Inform
Explain
Persuade
Describe
Entertain
Criticise
Educate

Always use the passage as evidence.

5. Summary

Summary questions test your ability to identify important information and express it briefly.

Important summary skills:

Identify major points
Ignore unnecessary examples
Avoid repetition
Use your own words where appropriate
Keep the answer concise
Maintain the original meaning

A good summary should contain the essential information without unnecessary details.

6. Cloze Test

A cloze passage contains gaps that candidates must complete with suitable words. The official syllabus includes a cloze passage as part of the comprehension component.

What to consider when answering cloze questions:

Grammar
Meaning
Context
Collocation
Prepositions
Tenses
Concord
Vocabulary

Do not select an answer based only on what sounds familiar. Read the entire sentence and consider the surrounding context.

7. Lexis and Vocabulary

Lexis refers broadly to vocabulary and word usage. This is a major area of Use of English preparation. Study:

Synonyms
Antonyms
Word meanings
Words in context
Idioms
Phrasal verbs
Collocations
Commonly confused words
Appropriate word usage

8. Synonyms

A synonym is a word with the same or nearly the same meaning as another word. Examples: Rapid → Fast Assist → Help Accurate → Correct However, remember that two words may have similar meanings but may not be interchangeable in every sentence. Therefore, always consider the context.

9. Antonyms

An antonym is a word with an opposite or contrasting meaning. Examples: Expand → Contract Ancient → Modern Generous → Stingy Victory → Defeat Build your vocabulary by learning words in context rather than memorising isolated lists.

10. Words in Context

JAMB can test the meaning of a word based on how it is used in a sentence. For example, a word can have more than one meaning depending on its context.

Study tip

When you encounter an unfamiliar word:

Read the whole sentence.
Look at the words around it.
Determine the general meaning.
Compare the available options.
Choose the option that fits the context.

11. Idioms and Expressions

An idiom is an expression whose meaning may differ from the literal meaning of its individual words. Examples include:

Once in a blue moon
To hit the nail on the head
To be in hot water
To spill the beans

Candidates should learn the meaning and appropriate usage of common idiomatic expressions.

12. Figurative Expressions

Study common figures of speech such as:

Simile
Metaphor
Personification
Irony
Hyperbole
Oxymoron
Euphemism
Paradox

Example

A simile compares two things using words such as like or as. A metaphor makes a direct comparison without using “like” or “as.”

13. Grammar and Sentence Structure

Grammar is another major part of Use of English. Study:

Parts of speech
Sentence types
Sentence construction
Clauses
Phrases
Concord
Tenses
Prepositions
Conjunctions
Pronouns
Articles
Modifiers
Active and passive voice

14. Parts of Speech

Know the major parts of speech and their functions.

Noun

Names a person, place, thing or idea.

Pronoun

Takes the place of a noun.

Verb

Shows an action, occurrence or state.

Adjective

Describes or modifies a noun or pronoun.

Adverb

Modifies a verb, adjective or another adverb.

Preposition

Shows a relationship between words.

Conjunction

Connects words, phrases or clauses.

Interjection

Expresses sudden emotion or feeling.

15. Concord

Concord means agreement between grammatical elements. A common area is subject-verb agreement. For example: The boy is playing. The boys are playing. The singular subject takes a singular verb, while a plural subject generally takes a plural verb.

Areas to practise:

Subject-verb agreement
Pronoun agreement
Number
Person
Tense agreement

16. Tenses

Candidates should understand the major English tenses. Study:

Simple present
Present continuous
Present perfect
Present perfect continuous
Simple past
Past continuous
Past perfect
Past perfect continuous
Simple future
Future continuous
Future perfect

Learn when each tense is appropriate.

17. Active and Passive Voice

Active Voice

The subject performs the action. The student answered the question.

Passive Voice

The subject receives the action. The question was answered by the student. Practise changing sentences from active to passive and vice versa.

18. Direct and Indirect Speech

Candidates should understand how statements can be reported.

Direct Speech

The speaker’s exact words are presented.

Indirect Speech

The speaker’s words are reported without necessarily using the exact wording. Pay attention to:

Pronouns
Tenses
Time expressions
Punctuation

19. Prepositions

Prepositions are frequently tested in Use of English. Examples include:

In
On
At
By
For
From
With
To
Into
Between
Among
During
Since

Learn common expressions involving prepositions. For example: interested in good at depend on afraid of

20. Punctuation

Study the correct use of:

Full stop
Comma
Colon
Semicolon
Question mark
Exclamation mark
Apostrophe
Quotation marks
Hyphen

Correct punctuation can change the meaning and structure of a sentence.

21. Spelling

Spelling is another area candidates should practise. Pay attention to commonly confused spellings such as:

Receive
Separate
Necessary
Accommodation
Government
Privilege
Pronunciation

Develop the habit of checking unfamiliar words in a reliable dictionary.

22. Commonly Confused Words

Candidates should understand words that are similar in appearance or pronunciation but have different meanings. Examples include:

Affect vs Effect

Affect is commonly used as a verb meaning to influence. Effect is commonly used as a noun meaning a result.

Advice vs Advise

Advice is a noun. Advise is a verb.

Principal vs Principle

Principal can refer to a person in charge or something of primary importance. Principle means a fundamental rule or belief.

Their vs There vs They’re

These words have different grammatical functions and meanings.

23. Sentence Completion

Sentence-completion questions require you to select the option that makes the sentence grammatically and logically correct. Check:

Meaning
Grammar
Tense
Concord
Preposition
Collocation

Read the entire sentence before choosing an answer.

24. Oral English

The official syllabus contains a separate Oral Forms section. Candidates should study:

Vowel sounds
Consonant sounds
Diphthongs
Rhyming words
Word stress
Sentence stress
Intonation
Homophones
Pronunciation

25. Vowel Sounds

English contains different vowel sounds, and candidates should learn to distinguish them. Practise identifying:

Short vowel sounds
Long vowel sounds
Diphthongs

Do not rely entirely on spelling because words with similar spellings can have different pronunciations.

26. Consonant Sounds

Study English consonant sounds and learn to distinguish sounds that may be difficult to tell apart. Examples include contrasts such as:

/p/ and /b/
/t/ and /d/
/f/ and /v/
/s/ and /z/
/ʃ/ and /ʒ/

Practise pronunciation using a reliable dictionary with audio pronunciation where available.

27. Rhyming Words

Rhyming questions require candidates to identify words that share similar ending sounds. Remember that spelling does not always determine rhyme. The important factor is pronunciation.

28. Word Stress

Word stress refers to the emphasis placed on a particular syllable in a word. Candidates should practise identifying stressed syllables in commonly used words. For example, changing stress can sometimes affect the grammatical function or pronunciation of a word.

29. Sentence Stress

Sentence stress refers to the emphasis placed on particular words in spoken sentences. Usually, important content words receive greater prominence. Practise listening to spoken English and identifying the stressed words.

30. Intonation

Intonation refers to the rise and fall of the voice when speaking. It can communicate:

Questions
Statements
Surprise
Emphasis
Attitude
Emotion

Candidates should understand how changes in intonation can affect meaning.

31. Homophones

Homophones are words that sound alike or very similar but have different meanings and spellings. Examples include:

See / Sea
Right / Write
Son / Sun
Flour / Flower
Hear / Here

Practise distinguishing their meanings and spellings.

32. Prescribed Reading Text

Candidates should also pay attention to the prescribed reading text specified by JAMB for the relevant examination cycle. The official JAMB Use of English syllabus available through IBASS identifies The Lekki Headmaster by Kabir Alabi Garba as part of the syllabus material. Because prescribed texts can change between examination years, candidates should verify the current text and any official update before relying on older study materials. Do not assume that a book prescribed for an earlier UTME year automatically remains the prescribed text for every subsequent year.

Important JAMB Use of English Areas to Revise

Before your examination, make sure you have revised the following:

Area	What to Study
Comprehension	Main ideas, inference, tone, purpose
Summary	Main points and concise expression
Cloze Test	Grammar, vocabulary and context
Vocabulary	Synonyms, antonyms, word meanings
Idioms	Meanings and usage
Grammar	Concord, tenses, sentence structure
Parts of Speech	Functions and identification
Punctuation	Correct usage
Spelling	Commonly misspelled words
Oral English	Vowels, consonants, stress, intonation
Reading Text	Characters, events, themes and important details

JAMB Use of English Key Points: Questions You Should Practise

When revising, practise questions involving: Comprehension

What is the main idea?
What does the writer imply?
What is the writer’s attitude?
What does a particular word mean in context?
What can be inferred from the passage?

Vocabulary

Choose the word nearest in meaning.
Choose the word opposite in meaning.
Select the appropriate word for the sentence.
Identify the meaning of an idiom.

Grammar

Choose the correct verb.
Identify the correctly structured sentence.
Select the correct preposition.
Identify the correct tense.
Choose the correct pronoun.

Oral English

Identify a vowel sound.
Identify a consonant sound.
Select a rhyming word.
Identify the stressed syllable.
Identify the correct pronunciation.

How to Study JAMB Use of English 2026/2027

1. Study the Official Syllabus

The official JAMB syllabus should be your starting point. The syllabus explains what candidates are expected to know.

2. Read Every Day

Reading regularly improves:

Vocabulary
Comprehension
Speed
Grammar
General understanding

Read newspapers, textbooks, essays and other age-appropriate materials.

3. Build a Vocabulary Notebook

Whenever you encounter a new word, write:

The word
Meaning
Synonym
Antonym
Example sentence

4. Practise Comprehension

Read a passage and ask yourself: What is the writer saying? Why did the writer say it? What evidence supports the conclusion?

5. Practise Grammar

Solve objective questions regularly.

6. Practise Oral English

Listen carefully to standard English pronunciation and practise identifying sounds.

7. Use Past Questions

Past questions can help you understand question styles and identify areas where you need more practice. However, do not assume that old questions will be repeated exactly.

How to Answer JAMB Use of English Questions Faster

Time management is important in CBT examinations.

Read carefully but avoid unnecessary rereading

Read each question once carefully before selecting your answer.

Eliminate wrong options

If you are unsure, remove options that clearly do not fit the sentence or passage.

Use context

For vocabulary questions, the surrounding words can provide clues.

Do not spend too long on one question

If a question is taking too much time, move on and return to it if the examination format permits.

Review your answers

Use any remaining time to check difficult questions.

Common Mistakes JAMB Use of English Candidates Should Avoid

1. Depending Only on “Sure Questions”

There is no reliable shortcut that guarantees the exact questions JAMB will ask.

2. Ignoring Oral English

Some candidates focus entirely on grammar and comprehension and neglect Oral English.

3. Reading Too Quickly

Speed is useful, but understanding is more important.

4. Ignoring Context

A word may have different meanings in different contexts.

5. Memorising Vocabulary Without Usage

Knowing the dictionary meaning of a word is not always enough. Learn how the word is used in sentences.

6. Neglecting the Prescribed Text

If a reading text is included in the current syllabus, study it carefully.

JAMB Use of English 2026/2027 Revision Checklist

Use this checklist while preparing:

[ ] Comprehension
[ ] Main ideas
[ ] Topic sentences
[ ] Inference
[ ] Deduction
[ ] Writer’s tone
[ ] Writer’s purpose
[ ] Summary
[ ] Cloze test
[ ] Synonyms
[ ] Antonyms
[ ] Words in context
[ ] Idioms
[ ] Figurative expressions
[ ] Parts of speech
[ ] Concord
[ ] Tenses
[ ] Prepositions
[ ] Pronouns
[ ] Active and passive voice
[ ] Direct and indirect speech
[ ] Punctuation
[ ] Spelling
[ ] Commonly confused words
[ ] Vowel sounds
[ ] Consonant sounds
[ ] Diphthongs
[ ] Rhyming words
[ ] Word stress
[ ] Sentence stress
[ ] Intonation
[ ] Prescribed reading text
[ ] Past questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the JAMB Key Points for Use of English 2026/2027?

The major areas include comprehension, summary, cloze test, vocabulary, lexis, grammar, sentence structure, idioms, figurative expressions, oral English, pronunciation, stress, intonation and the prescribed reading text.

Is Use of English compulsory in JAMB?

Yes. JAMB’s admission brochure states that Use of English is mandatory for UTME candidates and is therefore not repeated in the programme-specific subject tables.

What are the three major sections of the JAMB Use of English syllabus?

The official syllabus divides Use of English into:

Comprehension/Summary
Lexis and Structure
Oral Forms

Is this a list of questions that JAMB will definitely ask?

No. This is a revision guide based on the syllabus. It is not a leaked examination paper or a guarantee of specific questions.

How can I improve my JAMB Use of English score?

Read regularly, improve your vocabulary, practise comprehension, revise grammar, study Oral English and practise objective questions under timed conditions.

Should I study Oral English for JAMB?

Yes. Oral Forms are included as a section of the official Use of English syllabus.

Should I study the JAMB prescribed reading text?

Yes. If the current examination syllabus includes a prescribed reading text, candidates should study it carefully and verify that they are using the text specified for their examination year.

Are JAMB Use of English past questions important?

Yes. They are useful for practice and revision, but candidates should combine them with the current syllabus and other study materials.

Conclusion

The JAMB Key Points for Use of English 2026/2027 cover several important areas that candidates should revise before the UTME. The official syllabus focuses on Comprehension/Summary, Lexis and Structure, and Oral Forms, making it important for candidates to prepare broadly rather than concentrating on only one area. Pay particular attention to comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, sentence structure, idioms, summary, cloze tests, pronunciation, stress and intonation. Also make sure you check the current JAMB syllabus for the prescribed reading text and any subsequent updates. The best preparation strategy is to study consistently, read widely, practise objective questions and learn from your mistakes. Use past questions to improve your speed and familiarity with the examination format, but do not depend on claims about “100% sure” questions. Since Use of English is compulsory for UTME candidates, giving it serious attention can make an important difference to your overall preparation. Start your revision early, follow the official syllabus and practise regularly. With consistent preparation and a good understanding of the major topics, you can approach the 2026/2027 JAMB Use of English examination with greater confidence.