Subject overview
The aim of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) syllabus in French is to prepare the candidates for the Board’s examination. It is designed to test candidates’ general ability 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 French syllabus is designed to test candidates' ability to:
- 1. assess written comprehension in French
- 2. apply the principles governing the structure and use of written French
- 3. identify how French sounds work in speech production
- 4. examine the culture of Francophone West Africa and France in relation (where possible) to home country
- TOPICS/CONTENTS/NOTES OBJECTIVES
How this paper is examined
JAMB French is a Computer-Based Test of 40 multiple-choice questions worth 100 marks. There is no negative marking, so attempt every question. It is examined alongside 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.
1. Written Comprehension in French
Not started3. Workings of French sounds
Not started4. Culture and Civilization
Not startedFull French syllabus
Every topic below is from the official JAMB syllabus, with its contents and the objectives you should be able to meet. Study a topic, then use its objectives as a checklist.
1. Written Comprehension in French
Contents
- 1. Written Comprehension in French: Text 1: Text 2: - topics of general and emergent interest e.g., love, life, death, politics, marriage, health, communication, child trafficking, cultism, travel, corruption, money-laundering, etc
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- (i) deduce answers to questions on the content, intent and style of proposed texts (Text1, Text 2), (ii) apply reasoning skills
2. Principles Governing the Structure and
Contents
- 2. Principles Governing the Structure and Use of Written French: I. Identification of basic form classes
- (a) Nouns: simple/compound, Singular/plural, masculine/feminine
- (b) Pronouns: personal, impersonal, demonstrative, possessive and relative
- (c) Verbs: reflexive and non-reflexive, their moods and tenses
- (d) Adjectives: qualifying, possessive, interrogative, demonstrative, indefinite (e.g
- nul), numeral (e.g., dix) and ordinal (e.g., dixième.)
- (e) Adverbs: - common forms i) with-ment (e.g., lentement) ii) with préposition + noun (e.g. par avion, à cheval, en voiture, par bateau.) - special forms (e.g. bien, vite, mal, mieux, le mieux, pire, le pis, ne…que.) - types - manner (e.g. debout, facilement.) - purpose (e.g., pour + infinitive, afin de + infinitive.) - cause and consequence (e.g. pour+ infinitive perfect, à cause de + noun.) - concession (e.g. malgré +noun.) - place (e.g. y, en, ici, là, là-haut, partout.) - time (e.g. hier, aujourd’hui, avant-hier, après, demain, la veille, le matin, dans un mois.)
- (f) Prépositions: - simple (e.g. à, de, avec, avant, sur, dans.) - compound (e.g. à côté de, au milieu de.)
- (g) Conjunctions: - of co-ordination (e.g. mais, ou, et, donc, car, cependant, ne…ni.) -of subordination (e.g. afin que, quoique, à condition que, pour que, parce que.)
- (h) Articles: - definite, indefinite and partitive
- (i) contraction e.g. à+le = au, à+les= aux etc
- II. Assessment of vocabulary span
- (a) words in contemporary contexts - meaning, use, opposites, synonyms
- (b) faux amis (e.g.librairie/library, rester/to rest, blesser/to bless.) III. Importance of word order in: Can
- (a) affirmative sentences
- (b) interrogative sentences
- (c) imperative sentences
- (d) passive voice formation IV. Identification and application iii of basic processes in language structure, e.g
- (a) conjugation - in all tenses except l’imparfait du subjonctif, le passé composé du subjonctif, et…le plus-que-parfait du subjonctif
- (b) negation (e.g. ne…pas, ne…plus, ne…rien, nul ne, ne…ni..ni, ne…personne, personne…ne, aucun….ne, rien ne….etc.)
- (c) agreement (e.g. les beaux arts, il les a vues, les photos.)
- (d) pluralisation (e.g. cheval/chevaux, beau/beaux, belle/belles.)
- (e) derivation: -from adj, to adv – e.g., lent-lentement, -from adj. to adj. e.g
- un – premier, -from adj. to noun – e.g
- bon-bonté, riche-richesse, etc -from one degree of comparison to another (using plus…que, moins…que, aussi….que e.g. plus grand que.) NB –special forms- (e.g. bon, meilleur, le meilleur, la meilleure, mauvais, pire, le pire.) V. Use of French in set Candidate expressions such as in proverbs, i. com idioms and conventional Fre structures as provided for in ii.ded common speech acts: Fre
- (a) proverbs (e.g. tel père iii. m tel fils, petit à petit l’oiseau fait son nid.)
- (b) idioms (e.g. avoir une faim de loup, crier sur le toit, mourir de peur.)
- (c) conventional stretches (e.g. enchanté, c’est dommage, c’est formidable, stationnement interdit, etc.)
- (d) Common figures of speech eg métaphore, simile, hyperbole
- Métaphore – Mon père est un lion
- Simile – Elle est maigre comme un clou
- Hyberbole – Il avait tellement faim qu’il a mangé toute une Vache
- (e) speech acts (e.g
- proposer, conseiller, regretter, admirer, espérer, interroger, reprocher, s’accorder, etc.)
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- Identify what constitutes the basic structures of written French
- Use the principles governing the structure of written French to determine acceptability, e.g., to transform one form; one class into another
- Apply the structure to convey diverse messages. didates should be able to: identify meaning of words identify meaningful constructed sentences
- Apply communicative skills s should be able to: plete common proverbs and idioms in nch uce the meaning of idioms and proverbs in nch ake appropriate use of these special terms
3. Workings of French sounds
Contents
- 3. Workings of French sounds via
- (a) sound discrimination (e.g. tout/tu), (fais/fée.)
- (b) letter-sound correspondence (e.g. ai-/e/, eau/o/.)
- (c) syllabification (e.g. con/tente/ment.)
- (d) liaison (e.g. trois animaux, des enfants.)
- (e) sense groups in reading e.g. J’ai mal à la tête. J’ai mal/pas à la tête / mais au dos/
- Comment vas-tu, Carol?// Comment vas- tu demain?
- (f) identification of sounds to determine similarity (e.g
- maison/saison, dents/don,fond/ fonde.)
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- (i) discriminate between French sounds, (ii) deduce meanings out of sound combinations, (iii) use the above to enhance effective communication, (iv) assess sound groupings in terms of how they are affected by such features as syllabification, liaison, e-caduc; pause, intonation, etc
4. Culture and Civilization
Contents
- 4. Culture and Civilization: Characteristics, (aspects, similarities and differences) of the educational system, socio-economic life, political organization and cultural life of Francophone Africa and France, with reference (where possible) to home country i.e. Nigeria
- Mazauric,. C, et
- Any other relevant materials on French Grammar ( ii ) Oral
- B. Culture of Francophone Countri Girod R and
- Any other relevant materials, e.g. French newspapers, ma documents on Francophone life
- C. Dictionary Any good French/English or French dictionary
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- Identify the specific features of the culture of Francophone Africa and France greetings, dressing, food, leisure, marriage, festival, art, profession etc
- Compare these features with those of home country (where possible)
- Apply reasoning skill
Recommended texts for JAMB French
These are the recommended textbooks listed in the official JAMB French syllabus. You do not need every book — one solid, complete text that follows the syllabus, paired with past-question practice, is enough.
- Adeleke,J.( 2018 ). A Short French Grammar, 5th Edition Badagry, Success Printers.
- Adeniyi,E.A ( 2006 ) Contes NIGERIANS II Revised Edition, Ilorin: Adek Graphic Productions. .
- Ajiboye, T. (2014) Companion to French Grammar (4thEdition): Ibadan: Cleavoketa books
- Ajiboye, T. (2012) Nouvel Horizon, Book 4, New Revised Edition, Ibadan: Bounty Press
- Hatier (1980) Le Nouveau Bescherelle: L’Art de Conjuguer, Ibadan: Spectrum Book Ltd.
- Maice, G et Merlo, G., (1998), Grammaire progressive du français ( Niveau intermediaire), Paris: Clé international.
- Mazauric,. C, et Sirejols, E. (2006) On y va! Book 3,Ibadan : Spectrun Books Ltd.
- Ojo, S. A.(2000) A Comprehensive Revision Handbook of French Grammar, Ibadan: Agoro Publishing Company. Any other relevant materials on French Grammar ( ii ) Oral
- Ajiboye, T. (2010) AnIntroduction to Practice in Oral French, Ibadan: Bounty Press. Any other materials that emphasize oral practice. B. Culture of Francophone Countries
- Girod R and Grand-Clement, F. (1979) Comment vivent les Français, Paris: Hachette
- Mbuko, L. (2000) French Essays on Culture and Civilisation for Schools and Colleges,Ibadan: Bounty Press. Any other relevant materials, e.g. French newspapers, magazines, journals, and documents on Francophone life. C. Dictionary Any good French/English or French dictionary.
Recommended next steps
All subjects · Subject combination checker · JAMB information · CBT practice
Frequently asked questions
What is the JAMB French syllabus for 2026/2027?
The JAMB French syllabus for the 2026/2027 UTME is the official document that lists every topic, objective and recommended text you will be examined on. It covers written comprehension in French; grammar and structure (form classes, vocabulary and word order); the workings of French sounds; and Francophone culture and civilisation. Every question in the French paper is drawn from this syllabus, so studying any topic outside it is a waste of time. The complete, up-to-date syllabus is reproduced in full on this page.
What are the areas of concentration for JAMB French?
The areas of concentration are the sections and high-frequency topics the UTME focuses on. Grammar and structure, comprehension and vocabulary are core — read and listen to simple French regularly to build fluency and speed. Concentrate your revision on these areas first, then cover the rest of the syllabus — and practise past-question-style questions on each area so you recognise how they are tested.
How many questions does JAMB set in French?
JAMB sets 40 multiple-choice questions in French, worth 100 marks. Only Use of English has more (60 questions). Across your four subjects the UTME totals 180 questions and 400 marks.
How long is the JAMB exam and how much time per French question?
The whole UTME lasts two hours (120 minutes) for all four subjects combined — roughly 40 seconds per question. Answer the questions you know quickly, flag the harder ones, and return to them. There is no negative marking, so never leave any question unanswered.
Is French compulsory in JAMB?
Use of English is the only universally compulsory subject, but French is required for French and accepted for several arts, education and international-studies courses.
What are the hot topics or most repeated topics in JAMB French?
While JAMB does not publish a 'hot topics' list, the syllabus changes little year to year, so the same high-frequency topics recur. Grammar and structure, comprehension and vocabulary are core — read and listen to simple French regularly to build fluency and speed. Studying strictly by the syllabus and practising many questions per topic is the reliable way to prepare — never rely on 'expo' or leaked questions, which are scams and can cost you your result.
What are the recommended textbooks for JAMB French?
The official syllabus recommends standard texts: standard SSS French course books and a grammar reference. You do not need every book — one complete, syllabus-aligned textbook plus consistent past-question practice is enough. See the full recommended-texts list below.
Can I download the JAMB French syllabus PDF for free?
JAMB publishes the official syllabus free on the IBASS portal at jamb.gov.ng (Quick Links → Syllabus System). Rather than a static PDF, this page reproduces the complete French syllabus for 2026/2027 — every section, topic and recommended text — so you can study it on any phone, with progress tracking and practice built in. Always confirm the current syllabus on the official portal.
Does the JAMB French syllabus change every year?
No — the core topics stay largely the same from year to year because the subject content does not change. The only occasional changes are to prescribed texts in a few subjects. Always check the official syllabus at the start of your preparation to confirm nothing in your subjects has been updated.
Is there negative marking in JAMB French?
No. JAMB does not use negative marking, so a wrong answer simply scores zero — there is no penalty. This means you should attempt every one of the 40 questions, even where you have to make an educated guess near the end of the time.
How do I study the JAMB French syllabus effectively?
Turn the syllabus into a checklist: study one topic, then immediately practise questions on it so it sticks; give the most time to the areas of concentration that carry the most topics; use one recommended textbook rather than many; and practise past-question-style questions under timed conditions to build speed. Track each topic on this page from Not started to Mastered so you always know what is left.
How can I practise JAMB French questions on Belmadeng?
Belmadeng offers free, timed CBT practice with worked explanations. Study a topic here, then test yourself — your weak topics are highlighted afterwards so you know exactly what to revise. Explore CBT practice to prepare the way the real Computer-Based Test works.
Source: official JAMB UTME French 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.
Courses that require French in JAMB
French is part of the UTME subject combination for 2+ popular courses. If you’re studying French, these are the courses it can lead to:
Commonly required for
Requirements vary by institution — always confirm your exact course in the subject combinations hub and the official JAMB brochure.
Related JAMB subjects
Candidates studying French often study these subjects alongside it. Each links to its full official syllabus and free CBT practice: