JAMB Chemistry Areas of Concentration for 2027/2028 UTME

JAMB has not changed the Chemistry Areas of Concentration for 2027/2028 UTME. The topics and objectives below remain the official areas of concentration, organised with links to relevant past questions for easier study and practice.

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JAMB Chemistry Areas of Concentration for 2027/2028

1. Separation of Mixtures and Purification of Chemical Substances

What JAMB expects you to know:

• Distinguish between elements, compounds and mixtures.
• Differentiate between physical and chemical changes.
• Identify pure and impure substances.
• Use boiling and melting points to determine the purity of substances.
• Identify the properties of individual components of a mixture.
• Explain the principles behind different separation methods.
• Apply separation techniques to everyday situations.

Key areas of concentration:

• Elements, compounds and mixtures.
• Physical and chemical changes.
• Pure and impure substances.
• Boiling, freezing, melting and density.
• Methods and principles of separation of mixtures.

Recommended textbooks:

1. Ababio, O. Y. (2009). New School Chemistry for Senior Secondary Schools, 4th Edition. Onitsha: Africana FIRST Publishers Limited.
2. Bajah, S. T., Teibo, B. O., Onwu, G. and Obikwere, A. (1999–2000). Senior Secondary Chemistry, Books 1–3. Lagos: Longman.
3. Ojokuku, G. O. (2012). Understanding Chemistry for Schools and Colleges, Revised Edition. Zaria: Press-On Chemresources.

2. Chemical Combination

What JAMB expects you to know:

• Deduce chemical laws from given statements, expressions and data.
• Solve calculations involving chemical formulae, equations and composition.
• Apply the mole concept to chemical calculations.
• Determine the stoichiometry of chemical reactions.

Key areas of concentration:

• Laws of definite, multiple and reciprocal proportions.
• Law of conservation of matter.
• Chemical symbols, formulae and equations.
• Relative atomic mass based on ¹²C = 12.
• Mole concept and stoichiometry of chemical reactions.

Recommended textbooks:

1. Ababio, O. Y. (2009). New School Chemistry for Senior Secondary Schools, 4th Edition. Onitsha: Africana FIRST Publishers Limited.
2. Bajah, S. T., Teibo, B. O., Onwu, G. and Obikwere, A. (1999–2000). Senior Secondary Chemistry, Books 1–3. Lagos: Longman.
3. Ojokuku, G. O. (2012). Understanding Chemistry for Schools and Colleges, Revised Edition. Zaria: Press-On Chemresources.

3. Kinetic Theory of Matter and Gas Laws

What JAMB expects you to know:

• Use kinetic theory to distinguish between solids, liquids and gases.
• Explain the reasons for changes of state.
• Draw conclusions from molecular motion.
• Deduce gas laws from given expressions, statements and data.
• Interpret graphs relating to gas laws.
• Solve calculations involving gas laws and their relationships.
• Explain why real gases deviate from ideal behaviour.

Key areas of concentration:

• Kinetic theory of matter.
• Molecular motion and changes of state.
• Boyle’s, Charles’, Avogadro’s, Gay-Lussac’s, Graham’s and Dalton’s laws.
• Molar volume and atomicity of gases.
• Ideal gas equation.
• Vapour density and relative molecular mass.
• Deviation of real gases from ideal behaviour.

Recommended textbooks:

1. Ababio, O. Y. (2009). New School Chemistry for Senior Secondary Schools, 4th Edition. Onitsha: Africana FIRST Publishers Limited.
2. Bajah, S. T., Teibo, B. O., Onwu, G. and Obikwere, A. (1999–2000). Senior Secondary Chemistry, Books 1–3. Lagos: Longman.
3. Ojokuku, G. O. (2012). Understanding Chemistry for Schools and Colleges, Revised Edition. Zaria: Press-On Chemresources.

4. Atomic Structure and Bonding

What JAMB expects you to know:

• Differentiate between atoms, molecules and ions.
• Identify the contributions of scientists to the development of atomic theory.
• Calculate the number of protons, neutrons and electrons using atomic and mass numbers.
• Apply the principles governing electron arrangement in atoms.

Key areas of concentration:

• Atoms, molecules and ions.
• Development of atomic theory.
• Atomic structure.
• The four quantum numbers.
• Arrangement of electrons in atomic orbitals.
• Electronic configuration.
• Atomic number and mass number.
• Isotopes.

Recommended textbooks:

1. Ababio, O. Y. (2009). New School Chemistry for Senior Secondary Schools, 4th Edition. Onitsha: Africana FIRST Publishers Limited.
2. Bajah, S. T., Teibo, B. O., Onwu, G. and Obikwere, A. (1999–2000). Senior Secondary Chemistry, Books 1–3. Lagos: Longman.
3. Ojokuku, G. O. (2012). Understanding Chemistry for Schools and Colleges, Revised Edition. Zaria: Press-On Chemresources.

5. Nuclear Chemistry

What JAMB expects you to know:

• Differentiate between chemical and nuclear reactions.
• Distinguish between natural and artificial radioactivity.
• Compare the properties of different types of nuclear radiation.
• Solve simple half-life calculations.
• Balance simple nuclear equations.
• Identify the applications of radioactivity.

Key areas of concentration:

• Radioactivity and its types.
• Properties and detection of nuclear radiation.
• Natural and artificial radioactivity.
• Nuclear stability and radioactive decay.
• Nuclear reactions and equations.
• Half-life calculations.
• Applications of radioactivity.

Recommended textbooks:

1. Ababio, O. Y. (2009). New School Chemistry for Senior Secondary Schools, 4th Edition. Onitsha: Africana FIRST Publishers Limited.
2. Bajah, S. T., Teibo, B. O., Onwu, G. and Obikwere, A. (1999–2000). Senior Secondary Chemistry, Books 1–3. Lagos: Longman.
3. Ojokuku, G. O. (2012). Understanding Chemistry for Schools and Colleges, Revised Edition. Zaria: Press-On Chemresources.

6. Solubility

What JAMB expects you to know:

• Distinguish between different types of solutions.
• Interpret solubility curves.
• Calculate the amount of solute that dissolves in a given quantity of solvent at a particular temperature.
• Explain how temperature affects solubility.
• Relate the properties of solvents to their uses.
• Differentiate between true solutions, suspensions and colloids.
• Compare true and false solutions.
• Give examples of suspensions and colloids.

Key areas of concentration:

• Unsaturated, saturated and supersaturated solutions.
• Solubility curves and their interpretation.
• Temperature and solubility.
• Solvents for fats, oils, perspiration and paints.
• True solutions, suspensions and colloids.

Recommended textbooks:

1. Ababio, O. Y. (2009). New School Chemistry for Senior Secondary Schools, 4th Edition. Onitsha: Africana FIRST Publishers Limited.
2. Bajah, S. T., Teibo, B. O., Onwu, G. and Obikwere, A. (1999–2000). Senior Secondary Chemistry, Books 1–3. Lagos: Longman.
3. Ojokuku, G. O. (2012). Understanding Chemistry for Schools and Colleges, Revised Edition. Zaria: Press-On Chemresources.

7. Environmental Pollution

What JAMB expects you to know:

• Explain why air exists as a mixture.
• Identify the principles involved in separating the components of air.
• Explain variations in the composition of air.
• State the uses of different constituents of air.
• Identify types of pollution and pollutants.
• Explain the sources and effects of pollutants.
• Classify pollutants as biodegradable or non-biodegradable.
• Describe the effects of pollution on the environment.
• Identify measures for controlling environmental pollution.

Key areas of concentration:

• Air, water and soil pollution.
• Types and sources of pollutants.
• Biodegradable and non-biodegradable pollutants.
• Composition and separation of air.
• Effects and control of environmental pollution.
• Uses of the constituents of air.

Recommended textbooks:

1. Ababio, O. Y. (2009). New School Chemistry for Senior Secondary Schools, 4th Edition. Onitsha: Africana FIRST Publishers Limited.
2. Bajah, S. T., Teibo, B. O., Onwu, G. and Obikwere, A. (1999–2000). Senior Secondary Chemistry, Books 1–3. Lagos: Longman.
3. Ojokuku, G. O. (2012). Understanding Chemistry for Schools and Colleges, Revised Edition. Zaria: Press-On Chemresources.

8. Acids, Bases and Salts

What JAMB expects you to know:

• Differentiate between the properties of acids and bases.
• Identify different types of acids and bases.
• Determine the basicity of acids.
• Use indicators to distinguish between acidity and alkalinity.
• Identify methods of preparing salts.
• Classify different types of salts.
• Relate the degree of dissociation to the strength of acids and bases.
• Explain the relationship between dissociation and electrical conductance.

Key areas of concentration:

• General characteristics and properties of acids, bases and salts.
• Uses of acids, bases and salts.
• Acid-base indicators.
• Basicity of acids.
• Normal, acidic, basic and double salts.
• Strength and dissociation of acids and bases.
• Conductance of acids and bases.

Recommended textbooks:

1. Ababio, O. Y. (2009). New School Chemistry for Senior Secondary Schools, 4th Edition. Onitsha: Africana FIRST Publishers Limited.
2. Bajah, S. T., Teibo, B. O., Onwu, G. and Obikwere, A. (1999–2000). Senior Secondary Chemistry, Books 1–3. Lagos: Longman.
3. Ojokuku, G. O. (2012). Understanding Chemistry for Schools and Colleges, Revised Edition. Zaria: Press-On Chemresources.

9. Oxidation and Reduction (Redox Reactions)

What JAMB expects you to know:

• Identify different definitions of oxidation and reduction.
• Classify chemical reactions as oxidation or reduction.
• Balance redox equations.
• Determine the oxidation numbers of chemical species.
• Calculate electron transfer in redox reactions.
• Identify oxidising and reducing agents.
• Apply oxidation numbers when naming inorganic compounds.
• Relate chemical reagents to their oxidising and reducing abilities.

Key areas of concentration:

• Oxidation as the addition of oxygen.
• Reduction as the removal of oxygen.
• Oxidation and reduction through electron transfer.
• Oxidation numbers.
• Oxidising and reducing agents.
• Balancing redox equations.

Recommended textbooks:

1. Ababio, O. Y. (2009). New School Chemistry for Senior Secondary Schools, 4th Edition. Onitsha: Africana FIRST Publishers Limited.
2. Bajah, S. T., Teibo, B. O., Onwu, G. and Obikwere, A. (1999–2000). Senior Secondary Chemistry, Books 1–3. Lagos: Longman.
3. Ojokuku, G. O. (2012). Understanding Chemistry for Schools and Colleges, Revised Edition. Zaria: Press-On Chemresources.

10. Electrolysis

What JAMB expects you to know:

• Differentiate between electrolytes and non-electrolytes.
• Solve calculations involving Faraday’s laws and moles of electrons.
• Identify suitable electrodes for different electrolytes.
• Write reactions occurring at the electrodes.
• Determine the products of electrolysis.
• Explain factors affecting the products of electrolysis.
• Identify applications of electrolysis.
• Explain the significance of the electrochemical series.
• Identify different electrochemical cells.
• Calculate electrode potentials using half-cell equations.
• Explain methods of protecting metals against corrosion.

Key areas of concentration:

• Electrolytes and non-electrolytes.
• Faraday’s laws of electrolysis.
• Electrolysis of dilute H₂SO₄.
• Electrolysis of aqueous CuSO₄ and CuCl₂.
• Electrolysis of dilute and concentrated NaCl solutions.
• Electrolysis of fused NaCl.
• Factors affecting the discharge of ions.
• Electrochemical cells and electrode potentials.
• Applications of electrolysis and corrosion prevention.

Recommended textbooks:

1. Ababio, O. Y. (2009). New School Chemistry for Senior Secondary Schools, 4th Edition. Onitsha: Africana FIRST Publishers Limited.
2. Bajah, S. T., Teibo, B. O., Onwu, G. and Obikwere, A. (1999–2000). Senior Secondary Chemistry, Books 1–3. Lagos: Longman.
3. Ojokuku, G. O. (2012). Understanding Chemistry for Schools and Colleges, Revised Edition. Zaria: Press-On Chemresources.

11. Energy Changes

What JAMB expects you to know:

• Identify heat changes (ΔH) in physical and chemical processes.
• Interpret graphs showing heat changes.
• Relate the physical state of matter to its degree of orderliness.
• Determine the conditions under which reactions are spontaneous.
• Explain the relationship between ΔH°, ΔS° and ΔG°.
• Solve simple calculations using the Gibbs free energy equation.

Key areas of concentration:

• Enthalpy changes (ΔH).
• Energy changes during physical and chemical reactions.
• Heat changes during dissolution and reactions with water.
• Endothermic reactions (+ΔH).
• Exothermic reactions (−ΔH).
• Entropy (ΔS) and disorder.
• Gibbs free energy (ΔG).
• Relationship: ΔG° = ΔH° − TΔS°.

Recommended textbooks:

1. Ababio, O. Y. (2009). New School Chemistry for Senior Secondary Schools, 4th Edition. Onitsha: Africana FIRST Publishers Limited.
2. Bajah, S. T., Teibo, B. O., Onwu, G. and Obikwere, A. (1999–2000). Senior Secondary Chemistry, Books 1–3. Lagos: Longman.
3. Ojokuku, G. O. (2012). Understanding Chemistry for Schools and Colleges, Revised Edition. Zaria: Press-On Chemresources.

12. Rates of Chemical Reactions

What JAMB expects you to know:

• Identify factors affecting the rate of chemical reactions.
• Explain the effects of temperature on reaction rates.
• Examine the effects of concentration and pressure on reaction rates.
• Explain how surface area affects reaction rates.
• Identify suitable catalysts and their effects.
• Explain how reaction rates can be controlled.
• Interpret reaction-rate curves.
• Solve simple calculations involving reaction rates.
• Relate reaction rates to kinetic theory.
• Explain the importance of activation energy.
• Determine activation energy (Ea) from reaction-rate curves.

Key areas of concentration:

• Factors affecting reaction rates.
• Temperature.
• Concentration and pressure.
• Surface area.
• Catalysts.
• Activation energy.
• Reaction-rate graphs and calculations.

Recommended textbooks:

1. Ababio, O. Y. (2009). New School Chemistry for Senior Secondary Schools, 4th Edition. Onitsha: Africana FIRST Publishers Limited.
2. Bajah, S. T., Teibo, B. O., Onwu, G. and Obikwere, A. (1999–2000). Senior Secondary Chemistry, Books 1–3. Lagos: Longman.
3. Ojokuku, G. O. (2012). Understanding Chemistry for Schools and Colleges, Revised Edition. Zaria: Press-On Chemresources.

13. Chemical Equilibria

What JAMB expects you to know:

• Identify factors affecting the position of chemical equilibrium.
• Predict how different factors influence equilibrium.
• Identify industrial processes involving Le Chatelier’s principle.
• Explain how different factors affect the equilibrium constant.

Key areas of concentration:

• Reversible reactions.
• Dynamic equilibrium.
• Factors governing equilibrium position.
• Le Chatelier’s principle.
• Equilibrium constant.
• Industrial applications of equilibrium principles.

Recommended textbooks:

1. Ababio, O. Y. (2009). New School Chemistry for Senior Secondary Schools, 4th Edition. Onitsha: Africana FIRST Publishers Limited.
2. Bajah, S. T., Teibo, B. O., Onwu, G. and Obikwere, A. (1999–2000). Senior Secondary Chemistry, Books 1–3. Lagos: Longman.
3. Ojokuku, G. O. (2012). Understanding Chemistry for Schools and Colleges, Revised Edition. Zaria: Press-On Chemresources.

14. Non-metals and Their Compounds

What JAMB expects you to know:

• Identify reagents used in the laboratory and industrial preparation of non-metals and their compounds.
• Explain the properties of non-metallic elements and their compounds.
• Compare the properties of different non-metals.
• State the uses of non-metals and their compounds.
• Identify specific chemical tests for non-metals and their compounds.

Key areas of concentration:

• Hydrogen and its compounds.
• Halogens and their compounds.
• Oxygen and its compounds.
• Sulphur and its compounds.
• Nitrogen and its compounds.
• Carbon and its compounds.

Recommended textbooks:

1. Ababio, O. Y. (2009). New School Chemistry for Senior Secondary Schools, 4th Edition. Onitsha: Africana FIRST Publishers Limited.
2. Bajah, S. T., Teibo, B. O., Onwu, G. and Obikwere, A. (1999–2000). Senior Secondary Chemistry, Books 1–3. Lagos: Longman.
3. Ojokuku, G. O. (2012). Understanding Chemistry for Schools and Colleges, Revised Edition. Zaria: Press-On Chemresources.

15. Metals and Their Compounds

What JAMB expects you to know:

• Identify the general properties of metals.
• Determine suitable extraction methods for different metals.
• Relate metal extraction methods to the properties of the metals.
• Compare the chemical reactivities of metals.
• State the uses of different metals.
• Identify specific tests for metallic ions.

Key areas of concentration:

• General properties of metals.
• Alkali metals.
• Alkaline-earth metals.
• Aluminium and its compounds.
• Tin and its compounds.
• First transition series metals.
• Iron and its compounds.
• Copper and its compounds.
• Extraction and uses of metals.

Recommended textbooks:

1. Ababio, O. Y. (2009). New School Chemistry for Senior Secondary Schools, 4th Edition. Onitsha: Africana FIRST Publishers Limited.
2. Bajah, S. T., Teibo, B. O., Onwu, G. and Obikwere, A. (1999–2000). Senior Secondary Chemistry, Books 1–3. Lagos: Longman.
3. Ojokuku, G. O. (2012). Understanding Chemistry for Schools and Colleges, Revised Edition. Zaria: Press-On Chemresources.

16. Organic Compounds

What JAMB expects you to know:

• Name organic compounds using their general formulae.
• Relate the names of organic compounds to their structures.
• Explain how carbon’s tetravalency allows it to form chains (catenation).
• Classify organic compounds according to their functional groups.
• Calculate empirical and molecular formulae from given data.
• Relate the structures and functional groups of organic compounds to their properties.

Key areas of concentration:

• Tetravalency and catenation of carbon.
• General formulae of organic compounds.
• IUPAC nomenclature.
• Empirical and molecular formulae.
• Aliphatic hydrocarbons.
• Alkanols.
• Alkanals and alkanones.
• Alkanoic acids and alkanoates.
• Amines.
• Carbohydrates.
• Functional groups and isomerism.

Recommended textbooks:

1. Ababio, O. Y. (2009). New School Chemistry for Senior Secondary Schools, 4th Edition. Onitsha: Africana FIRST Publishers Limited.
2. Bajah, S. T., Teibo, B. O., Onwu, G. and Obikwere, A. (1999–2000). Senior Secondary Chemistry, Books 1–3. Lagos: Longman.
3. Ojokuku, G. O. (2012). Understanding Chemistry for Schools and Colleges, Revised Edition. Zaria: Press-On Chemresources.

17. Chemistry and Industry

What JAMB expects you to know:

• Classify chemical industries according to their products.
• Identify the raw materials used in different chemical industries.
• Differentiate between fine and heavy chemicals.
• Explain the importance of different chemical industries.
• Relate industrial processes to biotechnology.

Key areas of concentration:

• Chemical industries and their classifications.
• Industrial raw materials.
• Industrial chemical products.
• Fine and heavy chemicals.
• Importance of chemical industries.
• Biotechnology and industrial processes.

Recommended textbooks:

1. Ababio, O. Y. (2009). New School Chemistry for Senior Secondary Schools, 4th Edition. Onitsha: Africana FIRST Publishers Limited.
2. Bajah, S. T., Teibo, B. O., Onwu, G. and Obikwere, A. (1999–2000). Senior Secondary Chemistry, Books 1–3. Lagos: Longman.
3. Ojokuku, G. O. (2012). Understanding Chemistry for Schools and Colleges, Revised Edition. Zaria: Press-On Chemresources.

18. Astronomical Chemistry

What JAMB expects you to know:

• Describe the composition of the solar system.
• List the planets in the solar system.
• Identify the major segments of the Earth.
• Identify the Earth’s natural satellite.
• Identify the smallest and farthest planet from the Sun.

Key areas of concentration:

• The solar system.
• Planets and their characteristics.
• Natural satellites.
• Composition of the Earth:
  • Atmosphere.
  • Lithosphere.
  • Hydrosphere.

Note: The descriptions above are a simplified rewrite of the syllabus material you supplied. The three recommended textbooks are retained throughout.