French in JAMB goes beyond just speaking the language. You'll be tested on grammar, comprehension, and translation. The syllabus covers essential topics like verb conjugations, sentence structure, and how to interpret written passages. We have broken it down into a simpler form, so you know exactly what to focus on as you prepare.

General Objectives

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:

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 the home country.

Related Article:

JAMB Syllabus 2026 for UTME and Direct Entry Candidates

JAMB Syllabus for French 2026

TOPIC/CONTENTSOBJECTIVES

Written Comprehension in French

Topics of general and emergent interest e.g., love, life, death, politics, marriage, health, communication, child trafficking, cultism, travel, corruption, money-laundering, etc. 

Candidates should be able to:

(i) deduce answers to questions on the content, intent and style of proposed texts

(ii) apply reasoning skills. 

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.)

Candidates should be able to:

i. identify what constitutes the basic structures of written French,

ii. use the principles governing the structure of written French to determine acceptability, e.g., to transform one form; one class into another,

iii. apply the structure to convey diverse messages. 

 Workings of French sounds 

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 assyllabification, liaison, e-caduc; pause, intonation, etc.

Culture and Civilization

Candidates should be able to:

i. identify the specific features of the culture of Francophone Africa and France greetings, dressing, food, leisure, marriage, festival, art, profession etc.

ii. compare these features with those of home country (where possible),

iii. apply reasoning skill. 

DOWNLOAD JAMB SYLLABUS FOR FRENCH 2026

Recommended Texts

Written Language

  • 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 (4th Edition): 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. 

Oral

  • Ajiboye, T. (2010) An Introduction to Practice in Oral French, Ibadan: Bounty Press. 

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. 

Dictionary

  • Any good French/English or French dictionary.