JAMB Syllabus for Arabic 2026

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.

Candidates should be able to: 

i. use appropriate words or phrases for specific 
thought; 

ii. deduce the lesson in the passage; 

iii. determine the main theme of the passage; 

iv. give an appropriate title to the passage; 

v. interpret the meanings of particular words.

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. 

Candidates should be able to: 

i. use an appropriate Arabic word or phrase to convey 
the meaning of an English word or phrase; 

ii. determine an appropriate English word or phrase for 
an Arabic statement; 

iii. interpret idiomatic expressions in both Arabic and 
English; 

iv. transfer ideas expressed in Arabic to English and 
vice versa; 

v. communicate effectively in Arabic and English. 

C: GRAMMAR

Major Arabic grammatical features:

1. Demonstrative and relative pronouns

2. Gender (Masculine and Feminine)

3. Characteristics of noun

4. Dual

5. Plurals:

a. Sound masculine plural

b. Sound feminine plural

c. Broken plural

6. Construct phrases

7. Separable and inseparable pronouns

8. Appendants:

a. Adjective

b. Conjunction

c. Permutative

d. Emphasis

9. Prepositions

10. Transitive & Intransitive verbs

11. The perfect verb

12. The imperfect verb:

a. Indicative

b. Subjunctive

c. Jussive

13. The imperative verb

14. Modifiers:

a. Kana and its associates

b. Inna and its associates

c. Zanna and its associates

15. Trilateral and derived verbs

16. Derivatives:

a. Comparative/superlative

b. Nouns of instrument

c. Nouns of time and place

d. Relative adjectives

17. Conditional sentences

18. Numerals (1 – 3000)

19. Active and passive voice

20. Nouns in the accusative:

a. Direct object

b. Adverbs of place/time

c. Adverb of circumstance

d. The exempted with illa

e. Specification

f. Vocative

Candidates should be able to:

i. Identify demonstrative and relative pronouns

ii. Compare gender markers

iii. Identify three basic noun characteristics

iv. Differentiate singular and dual nouns

v. Construct plurals

vi. Identify construct phrases and usage

vii. Differentiate separable/inseparable pronouns

viii. Use adjectives, conjunctions, permutative correctly

ix. Apply correct prepositions

x. Differentiate transitive/intransitive verbs and use them

xi. Identify perfect verbs/forms

xii. Identify imperfect verbs and their grammatical states

xiii. Identify imperative verbs/forms

xiv. Identify kinds of modifiers and apply them

xv. Differentiate trilateral and derived verbs

xvi. Identify types of derivatives

xvii. Apply rules for conditional sentences and construct them

xviii. Recognize and count Arabic numerals (1–3000)

xix. Distinguish and use active/passive voice

xx. Identify and use different adverbial clauses, exempted, specification, and vocative

D: COMPOSITION

5 questions on topics related to candidates’ lives and environment (education, culture, health, politics, economy, sports, current affairs)
 

Candidates should be able to:

i. Use appropriate words for specific thoughts

ii. Use correct idiomatic expressions in Arabic

iii. Communicate effectively in Arabic

iv. Express ideas clearly in Arabic

v. Demonstrate use of common Arabic idioms and proverbs

E: ARABIC LITERATURE

10 questions on literary figures and works across periods:

a) Pre-Islamic Period (500–610 C.E.)

Poetic traditions and conventions

b) Islamic Period (610–1798 C.E.)

Style of figurative expressions in Islamic literature

c) Modern Period (1798 to date)

Modern poetic and prose works

d) Arabic Literature in West Africa

Use of Arabic as medium in West African novels and drama

Candidates should be able to:

i. Identify pre Islamic poetic traditions

ii. Analyze figurative styles in Islamic literature

iii. Describe aesthetic features and assess modern cultural values

iv. Evaluate Arabic as a medium in West African literature and analyze contents and characteristics