The JAMB Syllabus for Mathematics 2026/2027 clearly defines the mathematical topics and skill areas candidates are expected to cover for the UTME. It serves as the official framework that guides question setting and helps candidates focus on relevant concepts required to score high in Mathematics.
Mathematics in JAMB tests numerical ability, logical reasoning, and problem-solving skills. The UTME Mathematics syllabus 2026/2027 covers algebra, geometry, trigonometry, statistics, calculus basics, and everyday mathematics. Questions are structured to assess understanding, accuracy, and the ability to apply mathematical principles to practical situations.
Using the JAMB Mathematics syllabus as a study guide allows candidates to organize their revision, identify weak areas early, and prepare efficiently for the UTME Mathematics examination.
Objectives of Mathematics Syllabus
The aim of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) syllabus in Mathematics is to prepare the candidates for the Board’s examination. It is designed to test the achievement of the course objectives which are to:
- Acquire computational and manipulative skills
- Develop precise, logical and formal reasoning skills
- Develop deductive skills in interpretation of graphs, diagrams and data
- Apply mathematical concepts to resolve issues in daily living.
JAMB Syllabus for Mathematics 2026
| S/N | TOPICS/CONTENTS/NOTES | JAMB EXPECTATIONS |
| 1 | SECTION I: NUMBER AND NUMERATION 1. Number bases/Modular Arithmetic: (a) operations in different number bases from 2 to 10; (b) conversion from one base to another including fractional parts; (c) modular arithmetic. 2. Fractions, Decimals, Approximations and Percentages: (a) fractions and decimals; (b) significant figures; (c) decimal places; (d) percentage errors; (e) simple interest; (f) profit and loss percent; (g) ratio, proportion and rate; (h) shares and valued added tax (VAT). 3. Indices, Logarithms and Surds: (a) laws of indices; (b) equations involving indices; (c) standard form; (d) laws of logarithm; (e) logarithm of any positive number to a given base; (f) change of bases in logarithm and application; (g) relationship between indices and logarithm; (h) Surds. 4. Sets: (a) types of sets; (b) algebra of sets; (c) Venn diagrams and their applications. | Candidates should be able to: 1. perform four basic operations (x,+,-,÷); 2. convert one base to another; 3. perform operations in modulo arithmetic. 4. perform basic operations (x,+,-,÷)on fractions and decimals; 5. express to specified number of significant figures and decimal places; 6. calculate simple interest, profit and loss per cent; ratio proportion, rate and percentage error; 7. solve problems involving share and VAT. 8. apply the laws of indices in calculation; 9. establish the relationship between indices and logarithms in solving problems; 10. solve equations involving indices; 11. solve problems in different bases in logarithms; 12. simplify and rationalize surds; 13. perform basic operations on surds. 14. identify types of sets, i.e. empty, universal, complements, subsets, finite, infinite and disjoint sets; 15. solve problems involving cardinality of sets; 16. solve set problems using symbols; 17. use Venn diagrams to solve problems involving not more than 3 sets. |
| 2 | SECTION II: ALGEBRA 1. Polynomials: (a) change of subject of formula; (b) addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of polynomials; (c) factorization of polynomials of degree not exceeding 3; (d) roots of polynomials not exceeding degree 3; (e) factor and remainder theorems; (f) simultaneous equations including one linear one quadratic; (g) graphs of polynomials of degree not greater than 3. 2. Variation: (a) direct; (b) inverse; (c) joint; (d) partial; (e) percentage increase and decrease. 3. Inequalities: (a) analytical and graphical solutions of linear inequalities; (b) quadratic inequalities with integral roots only. 4. Progression: (a) nth term of a progression; (b) sum of A. P. and G. P. 5. Binary Operations: (a) properties of closure, commutativity, associativity and distributivity; (b) identity and inverse elements (simple cases only). 6. Matrices and Determinants: (a) algebra of matrices not exceeding 3 x 3; (b) determinants of matrices not exceeding 3 x 3; (c) inverses of 2 x 2 matrices; [excluding quadratic and higher degree equations]. | Candidates should be able to: 1. find the subject of the formula of a given equation; 2. apply factor and remainder theorem to factorize a given expression; 3. multiply, divide polynomials of degree not more than 3 and determine values of defined and undefined expression; 4. factorize by regrouping difference of two squares, perfect squares and cubic expressions; etc. 5. solve simultaneous equations – one linear, one quadratic; 6. interpret graphs of polynomials including applications to maximum and minimum values. 7. solve problems involving direct, inverse, joint and partial variations; 8. solve problems on percentage increase and decrease in variation. 9. solve problems on linear and quadratic inequalities; 10. interpret graphs of inequalities. 11. determine the nth term of a progression; 12. compute the sum of A. P. and G.P; 13. sum to infinity of a given G.P. 14. solve problems involving closure, commutativity, associativity and distributivity; 15. solve problems involving identity and inverse elements. 16. perform basic operations (x,+,-,÷) on matrices; 17. calculate determinants; 18. compute inverses of 2 x 2 matrices. |
| 3 | SECTION III: GEOMETRY AN TRIGONOMETRY 1. Euclidean Geometry: (a) Properties of angles and lines (b) Polygons: triangles, quadrilaterals and general polygons; (c) Circles: angle properties, cyclic; quadrilaterals and intersecting chords; (d) construction. 2. Mensuration: (a) lengths and areas of plane geometrical figures; (b) lengths of arcs and chords of a circle; (c) Perimeters and areas of sectors and segments of circles; (d) surface areas and volumes of simple solids and composite figures; (e) the earth as a sphere: longitudes and latitudes. 3. Loci: locus in 2 dimensions based on geometric principles relating to lines and curves. 4. Coordinate Geometry: (a) midpoint and gradient of a line segment; (b) distance between two points; (c) parallel and perpendicular lines; (d) equations of straight lines. 5.Trigonometry: (a) trigonometrical ratios of angles; (b) angles of elevation and depression; (c) bearings; (d) areas and solutions of triangle; (e) graphs of sine and cosine; (f) sine and cosine formulae. | Candidates should be able to: 1. identify various types of lines and angles; 2. solve problems involving polygons; 3. calculate angles using circle theorems; 4. identify construction procedures of special angles, e.g. 30º, 45º, 60º, 75º, 90º etc. 5. calculate the perimeters and areas of triangles, quadrilaterals, circles and composite figures; 6. find the length of an arc, a chord, perimeters and areas of sectors and segments of circles; 7. calculate total surface areas and volumes of cuboids, cylinders. cones, pyramids, prisms, spheres and composite figures; 8. determine the distance between two points on the earth’s surface. 9. identify and interpret loci relating to parallel lines, perpendicular bisectors, angle bisectors and circles. 10. determine the midpoint and gradient of a line segment; 11. find the distance between two points; 12. identify conditions for parallelism and perpendicularity; 13. find the equation of a line in the two-point form, point-slope form, slope intercept form and the general form. 14. calculate the sine, cosine and tangent of angles between – 360º ≤ Ɵ ≤ 360º; 15. apply these special angles, e.g. 30º, 45º, 60º, 75º, 90º, 1050 , 135º to solve simple problems in trigonometry; 16. solve problems involving angles of elevation and depression; 17. solve problems involving bearings; 18. apply trigonometric formulae to find areas of triangles; 19. solve problems involving sine and cosine graphs. |
| 4 | SECTION IV: CALCULUS 1. Differentiation: (a) limit of a function; (b) differentiation of explicit algebraic and simple trigonometrical functions – sine, cosine and tangent. 2. Application of differentiation: (a) rate of change; (b) maxima and minima. 3. Integration: (a) integration of explicit algebraic and simple trigonometrical functions; (b) area under the curve | Candidates should be able to: 1. find the limit of a function; 2. differentiate explicit algebraic and simple trigonometrical functions. 3. solve problems involving applications of rate of change, maxima and minima. 4. solve problems of integration involving algebraic and simple trigonometric functions; 5. calculate area under the curve (simple cases only). |
| 5 | SECTION V: STATISTICS 1. Representation of data: (a) frequency distribution; (b) histogram, bar chart and pie chart. 2. Measures of Location: (a) mean, mode and median of ungrouped and grouped data – (simple cases only); (b) cumulative frequency. 3. Measures of Dispersion: range, mean deviation, variance and standard deviation. 4. Permutation and Combination: (a) Linear and circular arrangements; (b) Arrangements involving repeated objects. 5. Probability: (a) experimental probability (tossing of coin, throwing of a dice etc); (b) Addition and multiplication of probabilities (mutual and independent cases). | Candidates should be able to: 1. identify and interpret frequency distribution tables; 2. interpret information on histogram, bar chat and pie chart. 3. calculate the mean, mode and median of ungrouped and grouped data (simple cases only); 4. use Ogive to find the median, quartiles and percentiles. 5. calculate the range, mean deviation, variance and standard deviation of ungrouped and grouped data. 6. solve simple problems involving permutation and combination. 7. solve simple problems in probability (including addition and multiplication). |
Download Mathematics Syllabus 2026
Click on the button below to download the official JAMB syllabus for Mathematics 2026:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
QUES: What topics are covered in the JAMB Syllabus for Mathematics 2026/2027?
ANS: The syllabus covers number and numeration, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, statistics, probability, mensuration, and basic calculus concepts.
QUES: Is algebra compulsory in UTME Mathematics?
ANS: Yes. Algebra is a core part of the syllabus and includes linear equations, inequalities, indices, logarithms, and simultaneous equations.
QUES: Does JAMB Mathematics include calculus?
ANS: Yes. Basic concepts of differentiation and integration are included, focusing on simple applications.
QUES: Are word problems important in JAMB Mathematics?
ANS: Yes. Many questions are presented as word problems to test understanding and real-life application of mathematical concepts.
QUES: Is trigonometry included in the syllabus?
ANS: Yes. Candidates are expected to understand trigonometric ratios, angles, and basic identities.
QUES: Are statistics and probability tested in UTME Mathematics?
ANS: Yes. Topics such as mean, median, mode, graphs, and simple probability calculations are included.
QUES: Is geometry a major part of the JAMB Mathematics syllabus?
ANS: Yes. Plane geometry, angles, circles, and basic properties of shapes are important syllabus areas.
QUES: Can I pass JAMB Mathematics without studying calculus?
ANS: No. Although calculus questions may be few, ignoring the topic can reduce your overall score.
QUES: Are calculators allowed in UTME Mathematics?
ANS: No. Candidates are expected to perform calculations mentally or using basic arithmetic skills during the exam.
QUES: What is the best way to prepare for UTME Mathematics?
ANS: Candidates should study the syllabus thoroughly, practice solving past UTME questions, understand formulas, and improve speed and accuracy through regular practice.