JAMB English Syllabus 2026: Official Exam Structure, Hidden Traps & “The Lekki Headmaster” Breakdown

JAMB English Syllabus 2026: Official Exam Structure, Hidden Traps & “The Lekki Headmaster” Breakdown

I’ve analyzed a decade of UTME trends, and if there is one indisputable truth, it’s this: the Use of English paper is your ultimate score-booster or your biggest downfall. For 2026, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has overhauled the literary texts and tweaked the CBT algorithms. Forget rote memorization; surviving this paper requires algorithmic awareness and razor-sharp contextual decoding.

Here is the exact blueprint to dominate the 2026 Use of English exam.

What is the official JAMB English syllabus structure for 2026?

The 2026 JAMB Use of English syllabus is officially categorized into three distinct components: Comprehension and Summary, Lexis and Structure, and Oral Forms. These sections collectively evaluate a candidate’s grasp of grammar, phonetic precision, and contextual reading abilities under strict time constraints during the CBT.

• Section A: Comprehension and Summary (Includes the reading text and cloze passage)

• Section B: Lexis and Structure (Grammar, synonyms, antonyms, idioms)

• Section C: Oral Forms (Vowels, consonants, stress, and intonation)

How are the 60 questions distributed across the exam?

JAMB allocates the 60 English questions using a highly predictable distribution formula. The literature text, cloze passages, and basic grammar carry the most weight. Understanding this specific algorithmic distribution allows candidates to strategically prioritize high-yield topics instead of wasting time on obscure grammatical rules.

Exam Section	Question Type	Number of Questions
Comprehension	Standard Reading Passage	5
	Cloze Passage	10
	Reading Text (Novel)	10
Lexis & Structure	Sentence Interpretation	5
	Antonyms & Synonyms	10 (5 each)
	Basic Grammar	10
Oral Forms	Vowels, Stress & Intonation	10

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What is the new JAMB novel for the 2026 UTME?

The compulsory reading text for the 2026 UTME is “The Lekki Headmaster” by Kabir Alabi Garba. This completely replaces “The Life Changer.” Every registered candidate must study this novel, as it guarantees 10 mandatory questions evaluating character analysis, thematic comprehension, and specific plot inferences.

What are the core themes in “The Lekki Headmaster”?

“The Lekki Headmaster” shifts JAMB’s literary focus toward contemporary socio-economic realities. The narrative heavily interrogates the “Japa” syndrome—Nigeria’s crippling brain drain—alongside institutional corruption within private education. Expect questions to aggressively test your understanding of Mr. Adebepo Adewale’s moral dilemmas regarding patriotism versus overseas relocation.

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How do you beat the algorithmic grading traps in cloze passages?

JAMB’s computer-based test software specifically penalizes contextual mismatch in the 10-question cloze section. To beat this, never select an answer based purely on grammatical correctness. The algorithm actively deploys grammatically flawless decoys that subtly contradict the passage’s overarching tone, demanding absolute contextual synchrony for the correct choice.

1. Read without options: Scan the entire passage first, ignoring the blank spaces entirely to grasp the pure narrative flow.

2. Determine the polarity: Identify whether the paragraph’s tone is overwhelmingly positive, negative, or purely objective.

3. Filter the decoys: Eliminate multiple-choice options that fit perfectly into the grammar mechanics but silently violate the established polarity of the surrounding sentences.

What is the “2-Pass” reading strategy for JAMB CBT?

The 2-Pass strategy is a critical time-management tactic explicitly optimized for the 45-minute English CBT window. You execute a rapid initial sweep to secure guaranteed points from standalone questions, intentionally bypassing dense comprehension passages until your second, more analytical sweep.

• Pass 1 (0-15 minutes): Instantly attack Lexis, Structure, Oral Forms, and the 10 novel questions. These require zero extended reading and rely purely on immediate recall.

• Pass 2 (15-40 minutes): Pivot back to the heavy Comprehension and Cloze passages. You now have abundant time to dissect contextual clues without the crippling anxiety of a ticking clock.

Where can candidates find the official syllabus and recommended texts?

Candidates should secure the official guidelines directly through the official JAMB Integrated Brochure and Syllabus System (IBASS). Relying strictly on primary documentation ensures you are studying the approved oral phonetic structures and averts the catastrophe of preparing with outdated, pre-2026 grammar resources.