JAMB English Language: Topics to Focus On for 2027
JAMB English Language topics to focus on for 2027: comprehension, lexis and structure, Oral English and the reading text, grouped by priority.
ExamPadi Editorial · Updated · 8 min read
English is the one UTME subject every candidate must take, which makes it the single most important subject on your list. It is also the subject where preparation can feel the vaguest, because "learn English" is not a plan. A topic list turns it into one. This guide organises the areas of JAMB English Language into priority tiers for the 2027 cycle. The tiers are our editorial judgement, and the official syllabus remains the final word on what is examined.
We do not claim exact question-frequency percentages, because JAMB does not publish a topic breakdown we can verify. "Commonly tested" here is our reading of areas that keep returning in past-question practice, not a measured frequency. For the current format, the number of questions and the time allowed, check the brochure on jamb.gov.ng.
The shape of the English syllabus
The ExamPadi subject outline for English Language lists these areas: comprehension, lexis and structure, Oral English, antonyms and synonyms, tenses, concord, phrasal verbs, active and passive voice, clauses and punctuation. They fall into four groups.
| Group | Areas |
|---|---|
| Reading | Comprehension passages, summary-style questions |
| Vocabulary | Synonyms, antonyms, idioms, phrasal verbs |
| Grammar | Tenses, concord, voice, clauses, punctuation |
| Sound | Vowels, consonants, stress, rhyme (Oral English) |
JAMB has at times linked a reading text to the English syllabus. Whether one applies to your sitting is for the official brochure to say; our JAMB literature texts guide shows how to confirm what is current.
Tier 1: must-master topics
Comprehension
Why it matters: a comprehension passage tests several skills at once: vocabulary in context, inference, main idea and the writer's attitude.
How to practise: use a three-pass method. First read the questions, then read the passage for the main idea, then reread to locate evidence for each answer. Practise one passage a day and write a one-line summary of each paragraph. The English comprehension tips guide has more techniques.
Lexis and structure
Why it matters: this section covers the widest range of questions, from word meanings to sentence correction. Skill here improves your other sections too.
How to practise: study words in sentences, not in lists. For each new word, write a sentence of your own. Keep an error notebook where you record every question you missed and the rule behind it. See lexis and structure tips for patterns.
Concord and tenses
Why it matters: these are the most common sources of grammar errors, and options are often designed around them.
How to practise: learn the main rules and test them in sentences. For concord, remember that the verb agrees with the true subject, not the nearest noun. An original example: The cost of the new textbooks (has/have) risen again. The true subject is "cost", not "textbooks", so the correct choice is "has".
Tier 2: commonly tested areas
| Area | Why it matters | How to practise |
|---|---|---|
| Synonyms and antonyms | Direct vocabulary testing | Learn words in groups with opposite pairs |
| Phrasal verbs and idioms | Meaning changes with the preposition | Make a list of 30 common ones and write a sentence for each |
| Active and passive voice | Sentence transformation | Convert ten sentences each way and check the verb forms |
| Clauses | Identifying types and functions | Underline the clause and name it, with a test each week |
| Punctuation | Comma, apostrophe, quotation marks | Edit short paragraphs with deliberate mistakes |
| Reading text (only if your cycle names one) | Questions on plot, character, theme | Read the text early, then practise questions on it |
An original synonym task: Choose the word closest in meaning to "scarce": plentiful, rare, careless, common. The answer is "rare".
Tier 3: lower-weight areas
These are worth covering but are not usually where you should spend your first weeks.
- Rhyme and rhythm in Oral English: learn the basic ideas but focus first on vowel and consonant sounds and stress.
- Rare idioms and unusual figures of speech: cover the most common ones.
- Advanced punctuation (colons, semicolons, dashes): learn the basic uses.
Oral English in detail
Oral English can win marks because the question types tend to repeat: pick the word with the same sound, mark the stressed syllable or choose the word that rhymes. Practise by saying words aloud, and learn the list of vowel sounds with example words. The Oral English tips guide has exercises. Short daily sessions over a couple of weeks usually show.
A suggested plan
| Week | Focus | Output |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Comprehension technique, concord, tenses | 5 passages, 40 grammar questions |
| 2 | Lexis, synonyms and antonyms, phrasal verbs | Vocabulary notebook of 100 words |
| 3 | Voice, clauses, punctuation | 40 questions, error notebook |
| 4 | Oral English | Daily 15-minute sound practice |
| 5 | Reading text, if one applies | Chapter summaries, character notes |
| 6 | Mixed timed English sets | Three timed sessions |
Combine this with the method in how to pass JAMB English Language, which explains how to manage time and common traps.
Mistakes to avoid
- Reading the passage for pleasure and not for answers.
- Learning vocabulary lists without context.
- Ignoring the reading text when your cycle names one.
- Treating Oral English as guesswork.
- Hunting for "expo". A subject that tests language skill cannot be passed with someone else's answers; regular practice is the only reliable method.
Practise it
ExamPadi has free JAMB English Language practice with a timed CBT mode on Android, iOS, web and Windows. Use it to check each tier, and track the topics you miss. Start at JAMB English Language practice.
Practise with real past questions and worked answers
Practise JAMB English freeFrequently asked questions
Is English compulsory in JAMB?
Yes. English Language is compulsory for every UTME candidate, so it contributes to every candidate's combined score.
Which English sections should I prioritise?
Give most time to comprehension and lexis and structure, because they cover a wide range of question types. Give regular but shorter time to Oral English, and check whether JAMB has attached a reading text for your cycle and, if so, read it.
Where do I find the reading text?
If JAMB attaches a reading text to the English paper in your cycle, it will be named in the official brochure and syllabus on jamb.gov.ng. Do not rely on a friend's memory of a previous year.
How do I improve quickly in lexis and structure?
Learn words in context, keep a notebook of your errors, and practise a small number of grammar rules each day rather than reading a list once.