Subject overview
The aim of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) syllabus in Arabic is to prepare candidates for admission into tertiary institutions through the Board’s examination. It is designed to test their achievement of the course objectives, which are to:
Official syllabus Content is taken from the official JAMB UTME syllabus (IBASS). Last checked: 17 Sept 2026. Always confirm at jamb.gov.ng.
Your progress
Mark topics as you go to track your readiness.
Study the syllabus below, then test yourself. Move each topic from Not started → Learning → Practising → Mastered.
General objectives
The Arabic syllabus is designed to test candidates' ability to:
- 1. answer comprehension questions correctly in standard Arabic;
- 2. translate simple texts from English to Arabic and vice versa;
- 3. apply the rules of Arabic grammar functionally;
- 4. appreciate Arabic literary texts within the contexts of their environment and eras;
- 5. use Arabic as a living world language in communication where necessary.
How this paper is examined
JAMB Arabic is a Computer-Based Test of 40 multiple-choice questions worth 100 marks. There is no negative marking, so attempt every question. It is taken with Use of English and two other subjects, for 180 questions in two hours overall.
How to use this syllabus: don't just read it — turn each topic into a checklist. Study a topic, then immediately practise questions on it so the knowledge sticks. Give extra time to the sections that carry the most topics, and revisit weak areas with timed practice as the exam approaches.
Topics & recommended order
Work through these topics in order. Mark each one as you go — your progress is saved on this device.
COMPREHENSION · Study
TRANSLATION · Study
GRAMMAR · Study
GRAMMAR · Study
5. Gender (Masculine and Feminine).
Not startedGRAMMAR · Study
6. Characteristics of noun.
Not startedGRAMMAR · Study
8. Plurals
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9. Construct phrase.
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10. Separable and inseparable pronouns.
Not startedGRAMMAR · Study
11. Appendants
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12. Prepositions.
Not startedGRAMMAR · Study
13. Transitive & Intransitive verbs.
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14. The perfect verb.
Not startedGRAMMAR · Study
15. The imperfect verb
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16. The imperative verb.
Not startedGRAMMAR · Study
17. The modifiers
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18. Trilateral and derived verb.
Not startedGRAMMAR · Study
19. Verbal noun.
Not startedGRAMMAR · Study
20. Conditional sentence.
Not startedGRAMMAR · Study
21. Numeral (1 – 1000).
Not startedGRAMMAR · Study
22. Active and passive voice.
Not startedGRAMMAR · Study
23. Nouns in the accusative
Not startedGRAMMAR · Study
COMPOSITION · Study
ARABIC LITERATURE · Study
ARABIC LITERATURE · Study
ARABIC LITERATURE · Study
ARABIC LITERATURE · Study
29. GRAMMAR
Not startedARABIC LITERATURE · Study
30. ARABIC LITERATURE
Not startedARABIC LITERATURE · Study
Full Arabic syllabus
Every section and topic below is from the official JAMB syllabus, reproduced faithfully.
SECTION A: COMPREHENSION
It consists of a passage of seventy (70) words. Five
- multiple-choice questions are to be set on the passage. The contents should be within the experience of the candidates e.g. current affairs, sports, education, politics, economy, health, culture and ethics.
SECTION B: TRANSLATION
This section consists of ten (10) questions. Five of
- them are on translation from English into Arabic while the other five are on translation from Arabic into English.
- Translation into English includes key words and phrases in a sentence.
- Translated questions are to be based on standard
- Arabic and English usages.
SECTION C: GRAMMAR
Major grammatical features in Arabic to be
- examined include:
1. أسماء اإلشارة و
- الموصولة والشرط واالستفهام .
1. Demonstrative, relative pronouns, conditional and
2. المذكر و.المؤنث
2. Gender (Masculine and Feminine).
- .. عالمات االسم
3. Characteristics of noun.
- .المثنى.
4. Dual.
- :. الجموع
5. Plurals:
- أ–
- .جمع المذكر السالم
- a. sound masculine plural
- ب–
- جمع المؤنث السالم
- b. sound feminine plural
- ج– جمع التكس ير
- c. broken plural
6. المضاف و .المضاف إليه
6. Construct phrase.
- . الضمائر المنفصلة و المتصلة
7. Separable and inseparable pronouns.
- :. التوابع
8. Appendants:
- a. adjective.
- أ–
- .النعت
- b. conjunction.
- ب–
- .العطف
- c. the permutative.
- ج–
- .البدل
- د–
- .التوكيد
- d. emphasis
- .حروف الجر والنصب والجزم
9. Prepositions.
10. الفعل الالزم و الفعل.المتعدي
10. Transitive & Intransitive verbs.
11. الفعل الماض
- ي
11. The perfect verb.
- .
- :فعل المضارع
12. The imperfect verb:
- a. the indicative.
- أ– المرفوع
- b. the subjunctive.
- ب–
- المنصوب
- c. the jussive.
- ج–
- .المجزوم
- .
- .فعل األمر
13. The imperative verb.
- :. النواسخ
14. The modifiers:
- أ– كان و أخواتها
- a. Kana and its associates
- ب–
- إن و أخواتها
- b. Inna and its associates
- ج– ظن و أخواتها
- c. Zanna and its associates
15. الفعل الثالثي
- .المجرد و المزيد فيه
15. Trilateral and derived verb.
- .
- .المصدر
16. Verbal noun.
- iii. identify the characteristics of Arabic nouns;
- iv. differentiate between singular and dual forms of nouns;
- v. construct plural forms of singular nouns;
- vi. identify construct phrases and their usages;
- vii. differentiate between separable and inseparable pronouns;
- viii. identify correct usage of adjectives, conjunctions, permutative and emphasis in Arabic sentences;
- ix. apply correct preposition particles in a given sentence;
- x. differentiate between transitive and intransitive verbs and use them in sentences;
- xi. identify the perfect verbs and their forms;
- xii. identify the imperfect verbs and their grammatical words in sentences;
- xiii. identify the imperative verbs and their forms;
- xiv. identify the kinds of modifiers and apply them in
- Arabic usage;
- xv. differentiate between trilateral and derived verbs;
- xvi. identify the types of derivatives;
- Arabic
- -
- :المشتقات
- 17- Derivatives:
- أ- اسم
- .الفاعل
- a.
- active participle.
- ب-
- .اسم المفعول
- b. passive participle.
- ج-
- .اسم التفضيل
- c. comparative/superlative.
- هـ -
- .اسم اآللة
- d. noun of instrument.
- و -
- .اسما الزمان و المكان
- e. nouns of time and place.
- ز -
- .اسم النسبة
- f. relative adjective.
- ح- اسم المبالغة
- g. hyperbole noun.
- . الجملة الشرطية
18. Conditional sentence.
- ( . العدد1 –
- )فقط
19. Numeral (1 – 1000).
- . الفاعل و نائب .الفاعل
20. Active and passive voice.
- .. المبتدأ والخبر
- 2 . Subject and predicate.
- :. منصوبات األسماء
22. Nouns in the accusative
- أ–
- .المفعول به
- a. direct object.
- ب–
- .)المفعول فيه (ظرف
- b. adverbs of place and time.
- ج–
- .الحال
- c. adverb of circumstance.
- د–
- .المستثنى بإال
- d. the exempted with illa.
- هـ-
- .التمييز
- e. the specification.
- و–
- .المنادى
- f. the vocative.
- xvii. apply the rules governing conditional sentences, identify, construct and differentiate them in normal sentences;
- xviii. recognise and count Arabic numerals from 1 to
- 1000 and identify the intricacies involved in their usage;
- xix. distinguish between doer and doer-substitute and apply them in sentences;
- xx. identify different types of adverbial clause, the exempted, specification and the vocative and use them in standard Arabic;
SECTION D: COMPOSITION
This section consists of five (5) questions on
- subjects relating to the lives and environment of the candidates, e.g. education, culture, health, politics, economy, sports and current affairs.
SECTION E: ARABIC LITERATURE
This section consists of ten (10) questions on
- notable literary figures and their works cutting across the various periods which include the
1. COMPREHENSION, COMPOSITION AND TRANSLATION
1. بشير أحمد محيي الدين و المرضي مختار المرضي
- ٬ المطالعة الواضحة
- ٬ ٬ كنو-
- نيجيىريا
- ٬ شركة طن المى و.أبنائه
2. سيد حمرة مالك(
- )٬ م اإلنشاء العرب
- ي
- )المتوسط (للمدارس الثانوية
- ٬ إبادن
- ٬ مطبعة الجامعة ب. ل. س.
3. عبد الفتاح صبر
- ي وعلي عمر بك
- ٬ القراءة الرشيدة
- ٬
- الجزء1 – 4 ٬ القاهرة
- ٬ دار المعارف .
4. عبد هللا الطيب
- ٬ سمير التالميذ
- ٬
- الجزء1 – 2 ٬ الخرطوم
- ٬ مكتب النشر.
5. غرب ط. زاريا(
- )٬ م كيف تكتب اإلنشاء
- ٬ كنو- نيجيىريا
- ٬ مطبعة جامعة بايرو .
6. محمد األول أبوبكر واآلخرون
- ٬ العربية الميسرة الجديدة للمرحلة ال
- ثانوية
- ٬ إبادن
- ٬
- .دار سبكترم للطباعة والنشر
7. محمد بديع شريف و سليم حكيم و الح
- ا:ج حسين آدمو العربية الجديدة فى نيجيريا
- ٬
- الكتاب1
- -
- 3 ٬ إكيجا- الغوش
- ٬
- لونغمان.
8. Adekilekun, A. L. A.: Learning Arabic Language, Ilorin.
9. Balogun, I. A. B. and Oseni Z. I. (1982) A Modern Arabic Course Book 1 Lagos: Islamic
- Publications Bureau.
10. Haywood, J. A. and Nahmad, H. M. (1965), A New Arabic Grammar of the Written
- Language, London: Lund Humphries.
11. Malik, S. H. A. (1982) A Guide to Arabic Composition, Books I & II, Lagos I.P.B.
12. Arabic newspapers, magazines and journals.
2. GRAMMAR
1. ي عل الجارم و مصطفى أمين
- ٬ النحو الواضح لمدارس المرحلة األولية
- ٬
- الجرء1 – ٬3
- القاهرة
- ٬ دار المعارف
- ٬.
2. محمد أجروم الصنهاج
- ٬ي متن األجرومية
- ٬ القاهرة.
3. محمد محيي الدين عبد الحميد
- ٬ التحفة السنية بشرح المق
- د
- مة األجرو
- ٬ مية بيروت
- ٬
- .دار الفكر
4. Haywood, J.A and Nahmad, H.M (1965), A New Arabic Grammar of the Written
- Language, London: Lund Humphries.
3. ARABIC LITERATURE
- -
- أحمد االسكندري واآلخرون
- ٬ المفصل في تاريخ األدب العربي
- ٬ القاهرة
- ٬
- .المعارف العمومية
- -
- زكريا حسين(
- 2004م)٬ ال مأدبة األدبية للطالب العربية في أفريقيا
- ٬ أوتث
- ي٬
- .دار النور
- -
- عبد هللا بن محمد بن فودي
- تزيين الورقات
- ٬ إبادن
- ٬ مطبعة جامعة إبادن.
- -
- عبد الوهاب دنالد شئث(
- 2009م)٬ الشعر العربي النيجيري بين الماضي والحاضر
- ٬ والية نيجر- نيجيريا
- ٬
- مطبعة بيك
- المحدودة.
- -
- عيسى ألبي أبوبكر(ا)لدكتور ٬ ديوان الرياض
- ٬ مدينة إيوو-
- نيجيريا
- ٬ النهار.
- -
- مرتضى بدماصي(
- 1997م)٬ مستقبل اللغة العربية في نيجيريا
- ٬ الغوس
- ٬
- . دار النشر اإلسالمية
- -
- صديق فاروق أبو ال
- رضا
- ٬ مختارات من توجيهات المنبر للشيخ آدم عبد هللا اإللوري
- ٬ القاهرة
- ٬ مطبعة المعرفة.
- -
- محمد ثالث مي أنغو(
- 2006م)٬ لماذا يكرهوننا
- ٬ ط2 ٬ ٬ كنو مطبعة سمباش .
Recommended next steps
All subjects · Subject combination checker · JAMB information · CBT practice
Frequently asked questions
How many questions does JAMB set in Arabic?
JAMB sets 40 multiple-choice questions in Arabic, each carrying equal marks for a total of 100 marks. Only Use of English has more (60 questions); every other subject follows this 40-question pattern, and your four subjects together make 180 questions and 400 marks.
How long is the exam and how much time per question?
The whole UTME lasts two hours (120 minutes) for all four subjects combined — about 40 seconds per question on average. Pace yourself: answer the questions you know quickly, flag the hard ones, and come back to them.
Is Arabic compulsory in JAMB?
Use of English is the only universally compulsory subject. Arabic is required for Arabic and accepted for Islamic/Arabic Studies and several arts courses.
How is the JAMB Arabic syllabus structured?
The Arabic syllabus covers comprehension, grammar (Nahw and Sarf), composition and vocabulary, and Arabic literature and culture.
What should I focus on most in Arabic?
Grammar, comprehension and vocabulary are core. Read Arabic texts regularly and master the grammar rules.
Does JAMB repeat past questions in Arabic?
JAMB does not announce a policy of repeating questions, but the syllabus changes little from year to year, so the same topics and question styles recur. Studying strictly by the syllabus and practising many questions per topic is the dependable approach — never rely on 'expo', which is a scam.
Is there negative marking in JAMB Arabic?
No. JAMB does not use negative marking, so a wrong answer scores zero with no penalty. Always attempt every question, even if you have to make an educated guess.
What textbooks are recommended for JAMB Arabic?
Use a standard SSS Arabic textbook and grammar reference alongside reading practice.
Where can I find the official Arabic syllabus?
The official source is the JAMB e-syllabus on the IBASS portal (jamb.gov.ng). The full topics are reproduced on this page for easy study, but always confirm the current syllabus on the official portal before your exam.
How can I prepare for Arabic on Belmadeng?
Study the full syllabus on this page, turn each topic into a checklist, and track your progress from Not started to Mastered. Belmadeng is adding more practice questions across subjects — explore CBT practice and the Study Centre as they grow.
Source: official JAMB UTME Arabic syllabus (IBASS, jamb.gov.ng). Reproduced for study use. Last checked: 17 Sept 2026. Belmadeng is not affiliated with JAMB — always confirm the current syllabus on the official portal.