Are you preparing for your JAMB English exam and feeling unsure of where to start? You’re not alone. For many candidates, the JAMB English exam can be daunting, especially with its mix of comprehension, grammar, oral English, and literature.

But don’t worry, there are simple, actionable strategies that can help you excel.

Let’s break it down, step by step, so that you can walk into that exam hall with confidence.

1. Understand the JAMB English Syllabus

To pass any exam, the first step is to know what’s being tested. The JAMB English syllabus is comprehensive, covering different areas like:

• Comprehension Passages
• Lexis and Structure (Grammar)
• Oral English
• Summary Writing
• Selected Literary Texts

Make sure you get the official JAMB English syllabus (available on the JAMB official website) and carefully review it. Every question in your JAMB exam will come from the topics outlined in that syllabus. By sticking closely to the syllabus, you’ll avoid wasting time on irrelevant content.

2. Start Early and Stay Consistent

Starting early is crucial. English is not a subject you can cram for the night before. It requires regular practice, especially when it comes to reading comprehension and grammar.

You should aim to study in small, manageable chunks every day. Dedicate at least 1–2 hours daily to English. This consistency is key to mastering the subject. If you wait until the last minute, you’ll likely feel overwhelmed and miss important details.

Think of it like exercising. You don’t build strength by hitting the gym once a month—you build it through regular, consistent workouts. Studying for JAMB English is the same way.

3. Focus on Your Weak Areas

Do you struggle with comprehension? Or maybe grammar trips you up? It’s important to identify your weak areas early so that you can spend extra time working on them.

If you’re unsure where you struggle, take a diagnostic test. Use past JAMB English questions to gauge where you’re at. Once you know which areas need more work, you can create a personalized study plan that targets those specific topics.

Let’s say you consistently get oral English questions wrong. Dedicate an extra 30 minutes each study session to improving in that area. Over time, you’ll see improvements.

4. Master Comprehension and Summary Writing

Comprehension and summary writing are vital components of the JAMB English exam. These sections test not only your understanding of a passage but also your ability to extract key points.

For comprehension, your goal is to read actively. Don’t just skim the text—try to engage with it. What is the main idea? What are the supporting details? Often, JAMB will ask questions that rely on understanding the author’s tone or inference. Pay attention to these subtle cues.

For summary writing, brevity is key. The task is to condense a long passage into a few sentences without losing meaning. Focus on identifying the most important points and omitting unnecessary details.

A good way to practice is by summarizing news articles or short stories. Over time, this will help you develop the skill of condensing information without losing clarity.

5. Improve Your Grammar and Lexis

The grammar section of the JAMB English exam is where many candidates lose points. This section tests your knowledge of correct sentence structures, word usage, and idiomatic expressions. Fortunately, grammar is something you can improve with practice.

• Read books, newspapers, and articles: By exposing yourself to good writing, you naturally absorb grammar rules.
• Practice with past questions: JAMB often repeats grammar questions or tests similar patterns. The more you practice, the better you’ll get at spotting common errors.
• Use grammar apps: Apps like Grammarly can help you fine-tune your grammar skills. They offer instant feedback on your writing, which helps you learn from your mistakes.

Another useful tip is to learn new vocabulary words daily. Keep a notebook where you write down new words and their meanings. This will help you improve your lexis, which is tested in various ways in the JAMB English exam, such as through synonyms, antonyms, and sentence completion.

6. Get a Grip on Oral English

Oral English can be tricky, especially for students who aren’t used to practicing listening skills. This section tests your ability to identify sounds, stress patterns, and intonations in spoken English.

To prepare for oral English, you can:

• Listen to English podcasts or news broadcasts: This will help you attune your ear to how English is spoken in different contexts.
• Practice with past JAMB oral English questions: These questions often focus on sound distinctions, like identifying homophones (words that sound alike but have different meanings).
• Watch English movies with subtitles: It helps you associate spoken words with their written forms.

7. Understand the Recommended Texts for Literature

The JAMB English exam includes a literature section, where questions are drawn from prescribed texts. It’s important to not just read the books, but to understand them. Know the themes, characters, settings, and key events.

Some of the literature texts for the 2024 JAMB exam include:

• “The Life Changer” by Khadija Abubakar Jalli: This book touches on university life in Nigeria and the challenges students face. Pay attention to the protagonist, her family dynamics, and how she navigates different social issues.
• “The Lion and the Jewel” by Wole Soyinka: A play that revolves around tradition vs modernity. Focus on how the characters symbolize these themes and how they affect the central conflict.
• “Second-Class Citizen” by Buchi Emecheta: This novel delves into the challenges of being a Nigerian immigrant in the UK. Look closely at the main character’s journey and struggles with cultural identity.

Take notes as you read, summarizing each chapter and noting key quotations. This will make revision easier as the exam approaches.

8. Practice, Practice, Practice

No matter how much you read or study, nothing beats practice. Practice past JAMB English questions regularly. This not only helps you become familiar with the format of the exam but also gives you an edge since JAMB often repeats questions or tests similar concepts year after year.

As you practice, simulate exam conditions. Time yourself and try to complete each section within the allotted time frame. This will help you manage time during the actual exam.

9. Stay Positive and Take Care of Yourself

As important as studying is, remember to take care of your mental and physical health. Stress can interfere with your ability to retain information, so make sure to get enough sleep, eat well, and take short breaks while studying.

If you ever feel overwhelmed, take a moment to breathe. Remind yourself that you’ve prepared well and are capable of doing great in the exam.

Passing JAMB English requires a blend of understanding the syllabus, practicing past questions, improving your grammar and comprehension skills, and mastering the recommended texts. Start your preparation early, stay consistent, and focus on areas where you need improvement.

We wish all JAMB candidates the very best! By following these tips, you’re already on the right path to success.

Good luck! Keep studying smart, stay focused, and you’ll do great in your JAMB English exam!