JAMB Subject Combination for Medicine and Surgery
The JAMB UTME subject combination for Medicine and Surgery is Use of English, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. See how to avoid combination errors and prepare.
ExamPadi Editorial · Updated · 6 min read
If you want to study Medicine and Surgery, the first practical decision is which four subjects to register for in the UTME. Get this wrong and no score will save you. The combination reported for the 2026 UTME is:
Use of English, Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
All four are listed as compulsory for the course. We could not open the JAMB brochure itself, so the list comes from two guides to JAMB's 2026 combinations: one by BusinessDay (23 February 2026) and one by Myschoolnews, which attributes its list to JAMB. Both agree. Treat your JAMB brochure and your target university as the final authority.
The combination at a glance
| Slot | Subject | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Use of English | Compulsory for every UTME candidate, whatever the course |
| 2 | Biology | Core science for the human body, health and disease |
| 3 | Chemistry | Foundation for biochemistry and pharmacology |
| 4 | Physics | Supports physiology topics such as pressure, light, electricity and radiation |
The UTME is a computer-based test. You register for four subjects, Use of English plus three tied to your course, and scores are reported out of 400.
Why these four subjects
Medicine builds on the sciences. Biology is the obvious one, Chemistry underpins how the body and drugs work, and Physics explains many of the processes medical students meet early on. Use of English matters beyond the exam: you will read, write and speak English throughout the programme.
None of that makes the course easier or harder to get into. It simply tells you what the admissions board expects you to be comfortable with.
Avoid combination mistakes
A wrong subject combination is one of the most avoidable reasons for trouble. Myschoolnews noted that wrong combinations are a leading cause of disqualification. A few habits help:
- Write the four subjects down before you go to the centre. Do not rely on an agent's memory.
- Check them against the brochure on jamb.gov.ng and against the admission requirements of each university you choose.
- Do not swap Physics for another subject because you find it hard. If the university requires Physics, a different choice can make you ineligible.
- Recheck your slip. Confirm all four subjects are correct before you leave the registration centre.
Our general guide to JAMB subject combinations shows the logic behind combinations for other courses.
O'level requirements are separate
The UTME subjects are only one half of the picture. Your WAEC, NECO or NABTEB result matters too. Universities set their own O'level requirements for each programme. For a course like Medicine, expect the sciences, English and Mathematics to feature, but the exact subjects and grades are the institution's decision, so read the admission requirements on its website. We do not print a universal O'level rule here because we could not source one.
What is the score you need?
That is a different question. JAMB sets a national minimum for universities (150 for 2026/2027), but schools can set far higher requirements for Medicine. Read our guide to the JAMB cut-off mark for Medicine and Surgery for what is and is not published, and the nursing combination if you are weighing a related course.
How to prepare the four subjects
From 29 October 2026 to the proposed UTME window of 15 to 25 March 2027 there are 137 days. That window is a proposal, not a final date. See the JAMB 2027 UTME date and timetable for the latest. A plan that works for many candidates:
- Spread your hours across all four subjects. Do not neglect Use of English because it feels familiar.
- Practise by topic first, then by full paper. Start with the topics you find hardest.
- Keep an error log. Write down every wrong answer and the reason.
- Do timed, four-subject practice in the final weeks so that the pace feels normal.
Always work from the official JAMB syllabus for each subject, which you can find on jamb.gov.ng.
If you change your mind
If you later prefer a related course, you may be able to apply for a change of course, depending on JAMB's rules at the time. Read the guide on changing your course before you assume it is possible, because the subject combination you wrote must also suit the new course.
Topic areas to cover in each subject
Use the official JAMB syllabus as your checklist. As a rough guide, broad areas you are likely to meet are:
| Subject | Broad areas to expect (confirm in the syllabus) |
|---|---|
| Biology | Cells and tissues, nutrition, transport, reproduction, genetics and evolution, ecology |
| Chemistry | Atomic structure and bonding, acids, bases and salts, rates and equilibrium, organic chemistry |
| Physics | Mechanics, heat, waves and light, electricity and magnetism, modern physics |
| Use of English | Comprehension, vocabulary and structure, summary, oral forms |
A sample weekly split
This is advice, not an official plan. Adjust it to your timetable and strengths.
| Day | Focus |
|---|---|
| Monday | Biology topic work |
| Tuesday | Chemistry topic work |
| Wednesday | Physics topic work |
| Thursday | Use of English and review |
| Friday | Mixed questions across all four, timed |
| Saturday | A longer paper or an error-log review |
| Sunday | Rest |
ExamPadi has 46,182 practice questions across JAMB, WAEC, NECO and NABTEB, with a timed CBT mode. Free practice is available, with a Pro tier, on Android, iOS, web and Windows.
Practise JAMB Biology on ExamPadi, then add Chemistry, Physics and Use of English to cover the full combination.
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Practise JAMB Biology freeFrequently asked questions
What is the JAMB subject combination for Medicine and Surgery?
Use of English, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Guides based on JAMB's 2026 list show all four as compulsory for this course.
Is Use of English compulsory for Medicine?
Yes. Use of English is compulsory for every UTME candidate, and the other three subjects are tied to the course.
Can I use Mathematics instead of Physics for Medicine?
The combination reported for 2026 lists Physics, not Mathematics. Confirm any variation in the JAMB brochure and with your chosen university before you register.
What happens if I register the wrong combination?
It can lead to disqualification or a delay in admission. Check your combination against JAMB's brochure and your university's requirements before you pay.