The Use of English paper occupies a central position in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination. It is compulsory for all candidates and designed to assess proficiency in written, spoken, and applied English. The JAMB 2026/2027 Area of Concentration for Use of English outlines the precise linguistic competencies and textual skills candidates are expected to demonstrate.
Unlike other subjects, Use of English tests comprehension, expression, interpretation, and structural accuracy simultaneously. Questions are drawn strictly from the approved Areas of Concentration contained in the JAMB syllabus, making it essential to understand the scope, focus, and depth of each examinable component.
Objectives of Use of English in UTME
The Use of English examination is structured to evaluate a candidate’s ability to:
- Communicate effectively in standard English
- Understand written and spoken English in various contexts
- Apply grammatical rules correctly
- Interpret texts logically and critically
- Recognize sound patterns and pronunciation features
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JAMB 2026/2027 Use of English Areas of Concentration
1. Comprehension and Summary
- Identify main points/topic sentences in passages;
- Determine implied meanings;
- Identify the grammatical functions of words, Phrases, clauses and figurative /idiomatic expressions; and
- Deduce or infer the writers’ intentions including mood, attitude to the subject matter and opinion.
2. Lexis and Structure
- Identify words and expressions in their ordinary, figurative and idiomatic contexts;
- Determine similar and opposite meanings of words;
- Differentiate between correct and incorrect spellings;
- Identify various grammatical patterns in use; and
- Interpret information conveyed in sentences.
3. Oral Forms
- Make distinctions among vowel types;
- Differentiate among consonant types; and
- Identify correct pronunciation of individual words and articulation of connected speech.
Download JAMB Area of Concentration for Use of English
Click on the button below to download the JAMB area of concentration for Use of English which is available in the JAMB syllabus for Use of English;
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Ques: What is the JAMB Area of Concentration for Use of English?
Ans: It refers to the officially approved components and topics from which all Use of English questions in the UTME are drawn, as outlined in the JAMB syllabus.
Ques: Is Use of English compulsory for all JAMB candidates?
Ans: Yes. Use of English is a compulsory subject for every UTME candidate, regardless of course of study or institution choice.
Ques: Which sections make up the Use of English Area of Concentration?
Ans: The Areas of Concentration include Comprehension and Summary, Lexis and Structure, Grammar and Sentence Construction, Oral English, Registers and Functional English, and Figures of Speech.
Ques: Does JAMB set questions outside the Use of English Area of Concentration?
Ans: No. All Use of English questions are strictly drawn from the approved Areas of Concentration contained in the official JAMB syllabus.
Ques: Which part of Use of English carries the highest number of questions?
Ans: Comprehension passages, Lexis and Structure, and Grammar-related questions consistently account for the largest proportion of Use of English questions in the UTME.
Ques: Is Oral English tested in written CBT format?
Ans: Yes. Oral English is tested through sound identification, stress patterns, rhymes, and pronunciation-related questions presented in objective CBT format.
Ques: Are literary devices important in JAMB Use of English?
Ans: Yes. Questions on figures of speech, tone, and figurative expressions appear regularly and form part of the approved Areas of Concentration.
Ques: Can mastering only grammar guarantee a high score in Use of English?
Ans: No. Use of English assesses multiple skills simultaneously. Strong performance requires competence in comprehension, vocabulary, oral English, and grammatical accuracy.
Ques: Where can candidates access the official Use of English syllabus?
Ans: The official Use of English syllabus is released annually by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board and is available through JAMB-approved platforms and vendors.