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All syllabuses

JAMB UTME syllabus

UTME is a computer-based test. You sit English Language plus three subjects relevant to your course.

Official Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board website
English Language

Key topics

  • Comprehension and summary
  • Lexis and structure
  • Vocabulary: synonyms, antonyms, idioms
  • Concord and tenses
  • Oral English: vowels, consonants, stress, intonation
  • Essay and letter writing (WAEC/NECO)

Suggested reading

  • Countdown English Language — F. O. Ogunsanwo
  • Effective English for Senior Secondary Schools
  • Exam Focus English Language
Mathematics

Key topics

  • Number bases, fractions, indices, logarithms, surds
  • Sets and logic
  • Algebra: equations, inequalities, variation, polynomials
  • Sequences and series
  • Geometry and mensuration
  • Trigonometry
  • Coordinate geometry
  • Calculus (differentiation and integration basics)
  • Statistics and probability

Suggested reading

  • New General Mathematics for SS 1–3 — M. F. Macrae et al.
  • Further Mathematics Project
  • Exam Focus Mathematics
Biology

Key topics

  • Variety of organisms and classification
  • Cell structure and functions
  • Nutrition, transport, respiration, excretion
  • Support, movement and coordination
  • Reproduction and growth
  • Ecology and conservation
  • Genetics, variation and evolution

Suggested reading

  • Modern Biology for Senior Secondary Schools — S. T. Ramalingam
  • Essential Biology — M. C. Michael
  • College Biology — Idodo-Umeh
Chemistry

Key topics

  • Separation of mixtures and purity
  • Atomic structure and bonding
  • Kinetic theory and gas laws
  • Stoichiometry and the mole concept
  • Acids, bases and salts
  • Oxidation-reduction and electrolysis
  • Rates of reaction and equilibrium
  • Metals, non-metals and their compounds
  • Organic chemistry

Suggested reading

  • New School Chemistry — O. Y. Ababio
  • Essential Chemistry for SS — I. O. Odesina
  • Exam Focus Chemistry
Physics

Key topics

  • Measurement, units and vectors
  • Motion, forces and energy
  • Heat and thermal properties
  • Waves, light and sound
  • Electrostatics and current electricity
  • Magnetism and electromagnetic induction
  • Modern physics: atomic and nuclear

Suggested reading

  • New School Physics — M. W. Anyakoha
  • Senior Secondary Physics — P. N. Okeke
  • Comprehensive Certificate Physics
Economics

Key topics

  • Basic concepts and economic systems
  • Demand, supply and price determination
  • Theory of production and costs
  • Market structures
  • National income
  • Money, banking and inflation
  • Public finance
  • International trade
  • Nigerian economy and development

Suggested reading

  • Fundamentals of Economics — Femi Longe
  • Comprehensive Economics for SS — J. U. Anyaele
  • Exam Focus Economics
Government

Key topics

  • Basic concepts: state, power, sovereignty
  • Types and organs of government
  • Constitutions and constitutionalism
  • Political parties, elections and pressure groups
  • Pre-colonial and colonial administration in Nigeria
  • Nigerian constitutional development
  • International organisations (ECOWAS, AU, UN)

Suggested reading

  • Comprehensive Government for SS — J. U. Anyaele
  • Government for Senior Secondary Schools — Ola & Oyeneye
Literature in English

Key topics

  • Literary terms and devices
  • Drama
  • Prose (African and non-African)
  • Poetry (African and non-African)
  • Prescribed texts for the current exam cycle

Suggested reading

  • Prescribed texts listed by the exam body for the year
  • Introduction to Literature — Exam Focus
Christian Religious Studies

Key topics

  • Themes from the Old Testament
  • The life and ministry of Jesus
  • The early church and Acts
  • Selected epistles

Suggested reading

  • The Holy Bible (RSV)
  • CRS for Senior Secondary Schools
Commerce

Key topics

  • Occupation, production and trade
  • Retail and wholesale trade
  • Business organisations
  • Money, banking and finance
  • Insurance and transport
  • Communication and advertising
  • Government and business

Suggested reading

  • Commerce for Senior Secondary Schools — Asaolu
  • Exam Focus Commerce
Financial Accounting

Key topics

  • Bookkeeping principles
  • Ledger, trial balance and errors
  • Final accounts of sole traders
  • Partnership and company accounts
  • Manufacturing and non-profit accounts
  • Public sector accounting basics

Suggested reading

  • Simplified and Amplified Financial Accounting — Longe & Kazeem
  • Exam Focus Financial Accounting
Geography

Key topics

  • Map reading and practical geography
  • The earth and solar system
  • Rocks, landforms and weathering
  • Climate and vegetation
  • Human and economic geography
  • Regional geography of Nigeria and Africa

Suggested reading

  • Certificate Physical and Human Geography — Goh Cheng Leong
  • Comprehensive Geography — Iwena
Agricultural Science

Key topics

  • Agriculture in Nigeria
  • Soil science
  • Crop production and protection
  • Animal husbandry
  • Agricultural economics and extension
  • Farm machinery

Suggested reading

  • Modern Agricultural Science — Anthonio
  • Essential Agricultural Science

This is a study guide summary. Topics change between years — check the official syllabus before your exam.

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