What to Study for JAMB Literature in 2025/2026

What to Study for JAMB Literature in 2025/2026; Are you preparing for JAMB Literature in 2025/2026? Literature is one of the most interesting and rewarding subjects, but it can also be hard if you don’t know what to focus on. In this article, we’ll tell you the most important things to study for the JAMB Literature exam. Understanding these topics will help you do well, so you can feel complete going into your exam.

Table of Contents

What is JAMB Literature

JAMB Literature is a subject that tests your understanding of Nigerian and African literature, English literature, and the ability to talk on different kinds of written works. The exam includes questions on poetry, prose, drama, and sometimes questions based on specific themes, characters, or literary writings. The JAMB Literature exam is designed to test your knowledge of books, plays, poems, and other forms of literature that are taught in secondary school.

Key Areas to Focus on for JAMB Literature in 2025/2026

There are several topics you need to focus on for JAMB Literature. Below are the key areas that are most likely to be tested. Focusing on these areas will help you maximize your chances of success.

1. Novels (Prose)

Novels are a major part of JAMB Literature. The novels you are expected to study are usually set by the JAMB syllabus. For 2025/2026, make sure to pay attention to the following:

Themes: Focus on the central themes of the novels. For example, if you are studying Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, the themes might include tradition vs. change, colonization, and fate.
Characters: Learn about the main characters in each novel, their traits, their roles, and how they relate to the themes of the book.
Plot: Be familiar with the plot of the novel. Understand the major events, the beginning, middle, and end.
Setting: Know where the story takes place and how the setting influences the events.
Literary Devices: Study how the author uses literary devices such as symbolism, foreshadowing, irony, etc., to tell the story.

Some common novels that you may need to study include Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, The Concubine by Elechi Amadi, and The Joys of Motherhood by Buchi Emecheta. Be sure to check the JAMB syllabus for any new novels to study.

2. Drama

In JAMB Literature, drama is a key part of the exam. The plays you are expected to study usually focus on Nigerian, African, or English playwrights. Some important areas to focus on include:

Plot of the Play: Understand the main events in the play. Know what happens to each character and how the plot develops.
Characters: Study the main characters in the play, their relationships with each other, and how they change throughout the play.
Themes: Focus on the key themes explored in the drama. Common themes include power, corruption, love, social justice, and morality.
Setting: Know the time and place where the play occurs and how it influences the story.
Dramatic Devices: Understand how the playwright uses techniques such as soliloquies, monologues, irony, symbolism, and dramatic irony.

Famous plays that might appear in your exam include A Man of the People by Chinua Achebe, The Swamp Dwellers by Wole Soyinka, and The Lion and the Jewel by Wole Soyinka.

3. Poetry

Poetry is also an important part of the JAMB Literature exam. You will be expected to analyze poems based on their themes, style, and structure. Key areas to focus on for poetry include:

Themes: Each poem has a message or central theme. For example, in Wole Soyinka’s Telephone Conversation, the theme could be racism or communication.
Poetic Devices: Learn about important poetic devices like metaphor, simile, personification, alliteration, rhyme, and rhythm. These are used by poets to create meaning and impact.
Tone and Mood: Understand the tone (the poet’s attitude) and mood (the feeling created in the reader) of the poem.
Structure: Pay attention to how the poem is organized. Is it written in stanzas? How does the structure affect the meaning?
Imagery: Many poems use clear image to paint pictures in the reader’s mind. Learn how to understand these images.

Some poets you should study include Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, Christopher Okigbo, and John Pepper Clark-Bekederemo. Know the key poems from each of them.

4. Literary Terms and Techniques

Understanding literary terms is crucial for analyzing literature. JAMB Literature questions often ask you to identify and explain literary devices. Some key literary terms you should study include:

Metaphor: A figure of speech that compares two things without using “like” or “as”.
Simile: A comparison between two things using “like” or “as”.
Alliteration: The repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of words in a sentence or line of poetry.
Irony: A situation where there is a contrast between what is said and what is meant, or what is expected and what actually happens.
Foreshadowing: A technique used by writers to hint at events that will happen later in the story.

By mastering literary devices and techniques, you will be able to answer many of the questions in the exam more confidently.

5. Cultural and Social Contexts

In many cases, JAMB Literature questions will require you to understand the social, cultural, and historical context of the works you are studying. For example, understanding the effects of colonialism, tradition, or politics in Nigerian literature is important.

Colonialism and Its Effects: In books like Things Fall Apart, colonialism plays a big role in the conflict of the story.
Cultural Norms and Traditions: Understand the role of cultural traditions in the literature you study. This is especially important for Nigerian and African works.

When studying the works, pay attention to how the context shapes the characters’ actions and the themes of the work.

Tips for Preparing for JAMB Literature in 2025/2026

Here are some tips that will help you do well in your JAMB Literature exam:

1. Read the Books Thoroughly

Make sure you read all the required books and plays thoroughly. Don’t just skim through them—understand the characters, themes, and important events. Take notes as you read to make studying easier later.

2. Practice Past Questions

Go through past JAMB Literature questions. This will help you understand the kind of questions asked and how to answer them. It will also help you get familiar with the structure of the exam.

3. Understand the Themes and Characters

JAMB often focuses on the main themes and characters in novels, plays, and poems. Make sure you understand these deeply and can explain them clearly.

4. Join Study Groups

Joining a study group can help you prepare better. You can discuss the books, share notes, and help each other understand difficult topics.

5. Use Summary and Analysis Resources

If you find it hard to understand a book or play, look for summaries and analysis online. Many websites and videos explain the main themes, characters, and plot of the books in simple terms.

Conclusion

To do well in JAMB Literature in 2025/2026, you need to focus on the major novels, plays, and poems that are likely to be tested. Understand the themes, characters, and literary techniques used in these works. Practice past questions and take your time to study deeply. With the right preparation and focus, you will be ready for the exam and able to perform well. Good luck!