JAMB Area of Concentration for Use of English 2027/2028

By JAMB2027 September 16, 2026 BLOG, JAMB Areas Of Concentration 2027, JAMB Runz 2027 0 Comments

The JAMB Area of Concentration for Use of English 2027/2028 is an important study guide for candidates preparing for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). Use of English is a compulsory UTME subject, and JAMB’s syllabus is designed to assess candidates’ ability to communicate effectively in written and spoken English and to use English as a tool for learning at the tertiary level.

Unlike a subject that focuses mainly on factual recall, Use of English tests several language skills at the same time. Candidates are expected to understand passages, interpret words and expressions according to context, recognise grammatical structures, draw logical conclusions and demonstrate knowledge of spoken English.

The official JAMB syllabus groups Use of English into three major sections:

Comprehension/Summary
Lexis and Structure
Oral Forms

The syllabus also specifies the prescribed reading text and explains the abilities candidates are expected to demonstrate under each section.

Important: An Area of Concentration should be used as a revision and study guide. Candidates should use the official JAMB syllabus as the final reference rather than relying on claims that a particular unofficial list guarantees the exact questions that will appear in the UTME.

Page Contents

Objectives of JAMB Use of English
JAMB Use of English Areas of Concentration
Comprehension and Summary
Lexis and Structure
Oral Forms
The Lekki Headmaster
How to Prepare for JAMB Use of English
Frequently Asked Questions

Objectives of Use of English in UTME

According to the official syllabus, the objectives of the Use of English examination are to evaluate candidates’ ability to:

Communicate effectively in both written and spoken English.
Use English as a tool for learning at the tertiary level.

These objectives are reflected throughout the three sections of the syllabus.

For candidates, this means that preparation should go beyond memorising grammar rules. You should develop the ability to read, understand, interpret, analyse and apply English in different contexts.

JAMB 2027 Use of English Areas of Concentration

The official syllabus is organised into three broad areas:

S/N	Area of Concentration	Major Skills Tested
1	Comprehension/Summary	Reading comprehension, inference, interpretation, coherence, logical reasoning and summary
2	Lexis and Structure	Vocabulary, grammatical structures, contextual meaning, sentence interpretation and usage
3	Oral Forms	Vowels, consonants, pronunciation and connected speech

Let’s examine each section in detail.

1. Comprehension and Summary

Comprehension and Summary is one of the most important areas of JAMB Use of English. Candidates are expected to read passages carefully and demonstrate that they understand both the explicit information and ideas that can reasonably be inferred from the text.

The official syllabus identifies passages involving different forms of writing, including:

Description
Narration
Exposition
Argumentation/Persuasion

It also states that the passages should reflect different disciplines and that one of the two passages will be a cloze test.

Major Comprehension Skills to Study

Candidates should be able to:

Identify the main point of a passage.
Identify topic sentences.
Determine implied meanings.
Understand the meaning of words in context.
Interpret phrases and clauses.
Understand sentences as they are used in a passage.
Interpret figures of speech.
Understand idiomatic expressions.
Follow the writer’s reasoning.
Make logical deductions.
Draw appropriate inferences.
Identify the writer’s intention.
Determine the writer’s mood.
Identify the writer’s attitude toward the subject matter.
Recognise the writer’s opinion.
Synthesize ideas from passages.

These skills are explicitly reflected in the official JAMB syllabus.

How to Prepare for Comprehension

Do not read a passage simply to finish it. Read it to understand its structure.

After reading, ask yourself:

What is the passage mainly about?
What is the writer trying to communicate?
Which sentence contains the central idea?
What does a particular word mean in this context?
What can reasonably be inferred?
What is the writer’s attitude?
How does one paragraph relate to another?

Regular practice with comprehension passages can improve both speed and accuracy.

2. Lexis and Structure

The second major section is Lexis and Structure.

This section tests candidates’ understanding and appropriate use of English vocabulary and grammatical structures.

Candidates should pay attention to:

Words in context
Ordinary meanings
Figurative meanings
Idiomatic expressions
Synonyms
Antonyms
Correct spelling
Grammatical patterns
Sentence structures
Meaning conveyed by sentences

The official syllabus specifically requires candidates to identify words and expressions in their ordinary, figurative and idiomatic contexts and to distinguish similar and opposite meanings.

Important Lexis and Structure Skills

Candidates should practise questions involving:

Synonyms

You may be required to identify a word or expression that has a similar meaning to the word used in a sentence.

Antonyms

Candidates may also have to identify words with opposite meanings.

Contextual Meaning

A word may have different meanings depending on the sentence in which it appears.

Therefore, do not memorise vocabulary without understanding how words function in context.

Idiomatic Expressions

Candidates should become familiar with common expressions whose meanings cannot always be obtained by interpreting each word literally.

Figurative Expressions

A question may require you to understand an expression according to its intended meaning rather than its literal meaning.

Spelling

Correct spelling is also part of the syllabus. Candidates should pay attention to commonly confused spellings and words that sound alike but have different meanings.

Grammatical Patterns

Candidates should understand how words function within sentences and how different grammatical structures affect meaning.

3. Oral Forms

The third major section is Oral Forms.

Although the UTME is conducted as a computer-based examination, oral English concepts can still be assessed through objective questions.

The official syllabus requires candidates to be able to:

Distinguish among vowel types.
Differentiate among consonant types.
Identify the correct pronunciation of individual words.
Recognise features involved in connected speech.

Important Oral English Areas

Candidates should therefore revise:

Vowel sounds
Consonant sounds
Sound distinctions
Word pronunciation
Connected speech
Stress and related pronunciation features where applicable to the syllabus

The goal is not simply to memorise symbols. Candidates should understand how English sounds are produced and how similar sounds can be distinguished.

The Lekki Headmaster

Candidates preparing for Use of English should also pay attention to the prescribed reading text specified by JAMB.

The official syllabus available through IBASS identifies The Lekki Headmaster by Kabir Alabi Garba as the prescribed text in the Comprehension/Summary section.

Candidates should read the prescribed text rather than depend exclusively on online summaries.

While reading, make notes on:

Major characters
Important events
Themes
Setting
Relationships between characters
Significant statements
Vocabulary
Important developments in the story
The author’s presentation of events

A candidate who reads the complete prescribed text is better positioned to answer questions that require understanding of events and context.

Is Use of English Compulsory in JAMB?

Yes.

JAMB’s admission materials state that Use of English is mandatory for all UTME programmes and is therefore excluded from the programme-specific subject-combination tables to avoid repetition.

JAMB’s examination structure has also traditionally placed Use of English alongside three other UTME subjects. In its published UTME training manual, JAMB specifies 60 multiple-choice questions for Use of English and 40 questions for each of the other three subjects.

Candidates should nevertheless check the current examination instructions for the specific UTME cycle they are registering for.

How to Prepare for JAMB Use of English 2027/2028

Good preparation requires more than downloading an Area of Concentration PDF.

1. Study the Official Syllabus

Begin with the official JAMB syllabus and understand the three major sections.

JAMB’s website provides access to its Syllabus System (IBASS), which is the appropriate place to verify official syllabus information.

2. Read the Prescribed Text

Do not depend entirely on summaries.

Read the prescribed novel carefully and make your own notes on characters, events, themes and important details.

3. Practise Comprehension

Read passages from different sources and practise identifying:

Main ideas
Supporting details
Implied meanings
Writer’s attitude
Tone
Vocabulary in context
Logical conclusions

4. Build Your Vocabulary

Keep a vocabulary notebook containing unfamiliar words.

For each word, record:

Word → Meaning → Synonym → Antonym → Example sentence

This method helps you understand how vocabulary works in context.

5. Practise Grammar in Context

Instead of memorising grammar rules alone, practise questions that require you to apply those rules in actual sentences.

6. Practise Oral English

Revise vowel and consonant sounds and practise distinguishing between words that have similar pronunciations.

7. Use Past Questions Carefully

Past questions are useful for understanding question formats and identifying areas where you need more practice.

However, candidates should not assume that past questions guarantee the exact questions that will appear in a future examination.

8. Practise Under Time Pressure

JAMB is a timed CBT examination. Candidates should therefore practise answering questions accurately while managing their available time.

Common Mistakes Candidates Make in Use of English

Reading passages too quickly

Speed without comprehension can result in incorrect answers to inference and interpretation questions.

Choosing familiar meanings instead of contextual meanings

A word can have different meanings in different sentences. Always consider the context.

Ignoring the prescribed text

Candidates who read only summaries may miss details that could be relevant to questions.

Memorising grammar without application

Knowing a grammar rule is different from knowing how to apply it correctly.

Neglecting Oral English

Oral Forms is an official section of the syllabus and should therefore be included in revision.

Depending on “expo” or leaked-question claims

Candidates should study the syllabus and practise legitimately rather than rely on claims that particular questions have been obtained in advance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the JAMB Area of Concentration for Use of English?

It is a study guide based on the subject areas covered by the JAMB Use of English syllabus. The official syllabus divides the subject into Comprehension/Summary, Lexis and Structure, and Oral Forms.

Is Use of English compulsory for all JAMB candidates?

Yes. JAMB states that Use of English is mandatory for all UTME programmes.

What are the three sections of JAMB Use of English?

The three sections are:

Comprehension/Summary
Lexis and Structure
Oral Forms

These are the sections identified in the official JAMB syllabus.

What topics should I study under Comprehension and Summary?

Candidates should practise identifying main points, topic sentences, implied meanings, grammatical functions, figurative and idiomatic expressions, coherence, logical reasoning, deductions, inferences, writer’s intention, mood, attitude and opinion.

What should I study under Lexis and Structure?

Focus on vocabulary in context, ordinary and figurative meanings, idiomatic expressions, synonyms, antonyms, spelling, grammatical patterns and interpretation of information contained in sentences.

Is Oral English part of JAMB Use of English?

Yes. Oral Forms is one of the three sections of the official Use of English syllabus. It includes distinctions between vowel and consonant types and pronunciation-related skills.

What is the prescribed JAMB Use of English novel?

The official syllabus available through JAMB’s IBASS identifies The Lekki Headmaster by Kabir Alabi Garba as the prescribed text.

Does studying the Area of Concentration guarantee a high JAMB score?

No.

An Area of Concentration is a preparation guide, not a guarantee of examination performance. Candidates should combine syllabus coverage with textbooks, the prescribed text, past questions, vocabulary development, comprehension practice and timed CBT practice.

Can JAMB ask questions outside the Area of Concentration?

Candidates should prepare from the official JAMB syllabus, rather than treating an unofficial AOC list as an exhaustive guarantee of every question that will appear.

The JAMB Test Development Department is responsible for reviewing and developing the UTME syllabus and for the development and moderation of UTME items.

Where can I find the official Use of English syllabus?

The JAMB Integrated Brochure and Syllabus System (IBASS) provides the official syllabus materials. JAMB also links to its Syllabus System from its official website.

Final Thoughts

The JAMB Area of Concentration for Use of English 2027/2028 should be treated as a roadmap for preparation rather than a prediction of the exact questions JAMB will set.

The most important areas to master are Comprehension/Summary, Lexis and Structure, and Oral Forms, alongside the prescribed reading text. Candidates who combine these areas with regular reading, vocabulary development, grammar practice, past questions and timed CBT exercises can build a much more comprehensive preparation strategy.

Before finalising your study plan, always verify the latest information through JAMB’s official platforms because syllabus materials and examination arrangements can be updated.

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