If you’re getting ready for JAMB 2025/2026, you’re probably wondering how to read, what to focus on, and how to avoid common mistakes. The truth is, passing JAMB is not about doing too much—it’s about doing the right things the right way.
Many students fail not because they’re not smart, but because they didn’t prepare properly. Some start too late. Others read without a plan. But students who score high usually follow simple, smart steps—and that’s what you’re about to learn here.
In this guide, you’ll find 16 easy tips that can help you prepare well, stay focused, and enter the exam hall with confidence. These are real steps used by students who have scored 250, 280, and even over 300 in the past.
Whether this is your first time writing JAMB or you’re trying again, these tips will help you move closer to your goal.
Let’s get started.
1. Start Preparing Early
One big secret of students who pass JAMB with high scores is that they don’t wait until the exam is near before they start reading. They begin early—sometimes six months or even a year before the exam. This gives them enough time to read all the topics, revise, and still practice past questions.
When you start preparing early, you don’t need to rush. You can read slowly, understand better, and cover every subject well. You’ll also have time to focus on topics that confuse you or that you are weak in. Early preparation helps you build confidence and reduces panic close to the exam.
Many students who say “JAMB is hard” are the ones who started reading too late. They try to cram everything in a few weeks, and it becomes stressful. But if you start now, even with just 1 or 2 hours of study each day, you’ll be far ahead before the exam comes.
So don’t wait for January or February. Start now—even if it’s just one subject a day. The earlier you begin, the easier the journey will be.
2. Know the JAMB Syllabus
Before you start reading for JAMB 2025/2026, you need to know what you’re supposed to read. That’s where the JAMB syllabus comes in. It is a list of topics that JAMB will set questions from in each subject.
If you don’t follow the syllabus, you might waste time reading things that won’t come out in the exam. But when you use it, you’ll focus only on the topics that really matter. It helps you read smart, not just hard.
Each subject has its own syllabus. For example, the Use of English syllabus includes comprehension, summary, lexis and structure, and oral forms. For Chemistry, you’ll see topics like acids, bases, salts, organic chemistry, and more.
Students who score high always start with the syllabus. They tick off topics as they finish them and go back later to revise them. It becomes like a personal checklist that keeps them on track.
You can find the official JAMB syllabus online or from trusted platforms like jamb2025.com. Don’t guess what to read—let the syllabus guide you.
3. Use JAMB-Recommended Textbooks
Not every textbook is good for JAMB. Some books explain topics in a way that doesn’t match how JAMB sets questions. That’s why JAMB always releases a list of recommended textbooks for each subject. These books are written to match the JAMB syllabus and cover the exact topics you need to study.
Students who score high don’t just read any random book—they use the right materials. They either buy, borrow, or download the textbooks JAMB recommends and stick to them. These books often contain simple explanations, examples, and sometimes practice questions that prepare you well.
For example, if you’re studying Government, “Essential Government” by CCE Onwubiko is one of the trusted ones. For Literature, “Exam Focus” is commonly used. If it’s Chemistry, books like “New School Chemistry” by Ababio are popular among top scorers.
So before you begin serious reading, check the list of textbooks recommended by JAMB for 2025/2026. You don’t need to read 5 different books per subject—just stick to one or two good ones, and master them.
Reading the right textbook gives you the right kind of knowledge—and that’s how you get the right answers on exam day.
4. Create a Reading Timetable
Reading without a plan can be confusing. One day you read Biology, the next day you jump to English, then later you forget what you’ve read. That’s why students who prepare well for JAMB always have a reading timetable.
A reading timetable helps you stay organized. It tells you what subject to read each day, for how long, and what topic to focus on. With a timetable, you won’t waste time thinking about where to start. It also helps you cover all your subjects evenly, so you don’t focus too much on one and forget the others.
Your timetable doesn’t have to be perfect. Even if you’re in school or attending a lesson, you can plan just 1–2 hours each day for personal reading. For example:
- Monday: English (Lexis and Structure), Physics (Motion)
- Tuesday: Government (Arms of Government), Biology (Reproduction)
- Wednesday: Chemistry (Periodic Table), English (Comprehension)
…and so on.
Top students also include time for revision and CBT practice in their timetable. They follow it closely but also adjust it when needed.
The key is consistency. Even if you study for just one hour every day, a timetable will help you stay focused and make steady progress.
5. Study Every Subject
Many students focus only on the subjects they like or the ones they find easy. For example, someone may read English and Government every day but avoid Literature or Economics because it feels hard. But in JAMB, you must write four subjects, and each one carries equal marks.
That means if you ignore one subject, you’re already reducing your total score—even if you do well in the others. Top scorers understand this. That’s why they make sure they give attention to all four subjects, not just their favorites.
Even if you’re weak in one subject, don’t avoid it. Instead, face it little by little. Read easier topics first. Watch videos that explain them. Solve past questions. You don’t have to become perfect—but every extra mark you gain in that subject counts.
Also, some schools and courses have high cut-off marks. If you’re aiming for Medicine, Law, Engineering, or other competitive courses, you need high scores in all four subjects to stand out.
So don’t leave any subject behind. Plan your reading timetable to cover them all. It may be tough at first, but with regular practice, you’ll improve.
6. Revise Regularly
Reading a topic once is not enough. If you don’t go back to it after some time, you may forget most of what you’ve read. That’s why revision is very important.
Top JAMB scorers don’t just read and move on—they revise regularly. They go back to old topics, check their notes again, and make sure they still remember what they studied. This helps their brain store the information for a longer time.
You can revise by:
- Going through your short notes or summaries
- Re-reading difficult topics
- Explaining a topic to yourself or someone else
- Answering past questions on that topic
Revision doesn’t always mean reading for long hours. Even 30 minutes of focused revision each day can help a lot. You can even revise while walking around or before going to bed—just go over key points in your mind.
The more you revise, the more confident you become. On exam day, you’ll remember things faster because you’ve already seen them again and again.
So don’t wait till the last week before you start revising. Start now. Make it a regular part of your study plan.
7. Solve Past Questions
One of the best ways to prepare for JAMB is to practice with past questions. These are real questions that JAMB has asked in previous years. Solving them helps you understand the type of questions to expect and how they are usually set.
When you solve past questions, you begin to see patterns. Some topics come out almost every year. You also learn how JAMB twists questions and adds tricky options. This kind of practice helps you stay sharp and avoid common mistakes during the real exam.
Top scorers use past questions to test themselves after reading a topic. For example, if they read “Photosynthesis” in Biology, they go and solve 10–15 JAMB questions on that same topic. It helps them know if they truly understand what they read.
Some even set a timer while solving past questions to practice speed and time management. Others use CBT apps and websites like jamb2025.com to get the real exam experience.
The more past questions you solve, the more confident you’ll be. And when you see similar questions on exam day, you’ll smile—because you’ve seen something like it before.
So don’t just read. Practice. Make past questions part of your daily study routine.
8. Practice with CBT Tools
Since JAMB is now a computer-based test (CBT), it’s very important to practice with tools that look like the real exam. Many students prepare with textbooks and notebooks, but forget to practice using a computer or phone. On exam day, they may get confused by the CBT system, even if they know the answers.
Top scorers don’t make that mistake. They use CBT apps and websites like jamb2025.com to practice. These platforms show you how the real exam looks, with a timer, multiple-choice buttons, and subject switching—just like you’ll see in the actual CBT center.
Practicing with CBT tools helps you get used to:
- Clicking the right answers
- Using the “Next,” “Previous,” and “Submit” buttons
- Answering under time pressure
- Moving between different subjects during the test
If you’re not good with computers, the best way to improve is by practicing early and often. Don’t wait till exam day to use a mouse or keyboard for the first time. The more you practice, the more confident and faster you’ll become.
So make CBT practice a regular part of your preparation. It can help reduce exam fear and increase your chances of scoring high.
9. Time Yourself While Practicing
In the real JAMB exam, you’ll have limited time to answer many questions. That’s why it’s important to learn how to manage your time while practicing at home. If you always practice without timing yourself, you may run out of time during the real exam.
Top students don’t just read slowly—they train themselves to answer questions quickly and correctly. When they solve past questions or use CBT apps, they set a timer, just like the real exam. This helps them get used to thinking fast and staying calm under pressure.
For example:
- Use of English: about 60 questions in 40 minutes
- Each other subject: about 40 questions in 30 minutes
If you’re taking four subjects, you’ll need to move fast without making mistakes. Timing yourself during practice teaches your brain to read, understand, and answer quickly.
If a question is taking too long, skip it and come back later. This habit saves time and helps you answer more questions before the clock runs out.
So as you prepare, don’t just focus on getting the answer—practice doing it on time. That’s how you get better results on exam day.
10. Learn How to Answer Smartly
JAMB questions are not always hard, but they can be tricky. If you don’t read carefully or understand the question well, you may pick the wrong answer—even if you know the topic. That’s why students who pass JAMB learn how to answer smartly.
Answering smartly means you don’t just rush to choose the first option that “looks right.” You read the question properly and think about what it is really asking. Look out for words like “not,” “except,” “most likely,” or “correct definition.” These small words can change the meaning of the question.
It also means you should:
- Remove wrong options when you’re not sure. This makes guessing easier.
- Avoid guessing blindly—make an educated guess after reading well.
- Stay calm so you don’t choose answers in a hurry.
- Stick to your first answer if you were confident. Don’t keep changing it unless you have a good reason.
Practice this skill while solving past questions or using CBT apps. With time, you’ll get better at spotting traps and choosing the correct option quickly.
Smart answering is a big reason why some students score 280, 300, or more—not because they know everything, but because they know how to choose wisely.
11. Avoid Distractions While Studying
You can’t prepare well for JAMB if you’re always distracted. Many students sit down with their books but end up scrolling through social media, replying to messages, or watching videos that have nothing to do with JAMB. At the end of the day, they waste time and learn very little.
Students who score high know how to create a serious study environment. When it’s time to read, they keep their phones away or turn off their data. They tell their friends not to disturb them. They find a quiet place where they can focus without noise or interruptions.
Even if you can only study for 1–2 hours a day, make sure that time is focused. It’s better to read seriously for 1 hour than to sit with your book for 5 hours and keep pressing your phone every 5 minutes.
You can also try these simple tips:
- Use earplugs or low background music if your area is noisy
- Read early in the morning or late at night when it’s quieter
- Set short goals for each study session to keep yourself on track
Distractions are the biggest enemy of progress. If you want to pass JAMB, you must protect your reading time. Focus now, and enjoy the results later.
12. Stay Healthy and Rest Well
Good health is just as important as reading. If your body is weak or your brain is tired, it will be hard to concentrate, no matter how serious you are. That’s why top JAMB students make sure they take care of their health while preparing.
You don’t need to read all night every day. In fact, reading without rest can make you forget things easily. Your brain needs enough sleep to remember what you’ve read. Try to sleep for at least 6 to 8 hours every night, especially when the exam is getting close.
Also, eat good food. Don’t skip meals just because you want to read more. Your brain needs energy from food like rice, fruits, vegetables, beans, and water. Avoid too much junk food or energy drinks that make you feel tired later.
If you feel stressed or tired, take short breaks. Even a 10-minute walk or stretch can help refresh your mind. You can also listen to soft music or take deep breaths to relax.
In short: read well, eat well, rest well. That’s how to keep your mind sharp and your body strong until exam day.
13. Ask Questions When You’re Confused
When you don’t understand something, don’t keep quiet. Many students feel shy or afraid to ask for help, so they skip topics and hope they won’t come out in the exam. But JAMB can bring questions from any topic in the syllabus—so skipping is risky.
Students who score high are not afraid to ask questions. When they get confused, they look for someone who can explain. It could be:
- A teacher at school or lesson center
- A classmate who understands the topic better
- A YouTube video that breaks it down step by step
- A study group where they can ask and learn
Even if you’ve asked before and still don’t get it, ask again. Sometimes it takes hearing it a different way to finally understand it.
Also, keep a notebook where you write down all your questions as you read. That way, you won’t forget to ask when you get the chance.
Remember, asking questions is not a sign of weakness—it’s a sign that you want to learn and improve. And the more you ask, the fewer things will confuse you during the exam.
14. Join or Create a Study Group
Reading alone is good, but sometimes reading with others can help you understand better and stay motivated. That’s why many students who pass JAMB with high scores either join a serious study group or create one with friends.
In a study group, you can:
- Share ideas and explain topics to each other
- Ask questions and get answers quickly
- Practice past questions together
- Keep each other focused and on track
Sometimes, what you don’t understand, your friend might explain in a way that makes it clear. Also, teaching someone else helps you understand the topic more deeply.
But be careful—not all groups are helpful. If the group is always joking, gossiping, or talking about things that have nothing to do with JAMB, it will only waste your time. Make sure your group is made up of serious and focused people who really want to pass.
Even if it’s just 2 or 3 of you, that’s enough. You can meet once or twice a week, agree on what to study, and stick to your plan.
Remember, you don’t have to do this journey alone. With the right people around you, preparing for JAMB becomes easier and more fun.
15. Stay Positive and Believe in Yourself
Sometimes, students fail JAMB not because they didn’t study, but because they doubted themselves. They kept saying things like, “JAMB is too hard,” or “I don’t think I can make it.” When you think like that, it affects your confidence and your performance.
Students who pass JAMB with high scores believe in themselves, even before they see the result. They speak positively and say things like, “I’m preparing well, and I’ll do my best,” or “I can get 250, 280, or even 300.” That kind of mindset keeps them motivated.
No matter your past results or what people say, believe you can succeed. You don’t need to be the smartest person in your class. You just need to prepare well and have the right attitude.
When you feel tired or discouraged, remind yourself why you started. Think about your future, your dream course, and how passing JAMB will bring you closer to it. That small shift in mindset can give you the strength to keep going.
So remove fear. Remove doubt. Stay positive, stay focused, and keep believing in yourself. If others have passed, you can too.
16. Pray and Stay Calm on Exam Day
After all your hard work, reading, and practice, you need to stay calm on the day of your exam. Don’t let fear or pressure make you forget what you’ve studied. A peaceful mind helps you think clearly and answer questions better.
Many students get scared when they enter the exam hall. Their hands start shaking, or their minds go blank. But students who stay calm perform better, because they’re able to focus and use everything they’ve prepared for.
If you believe in prayer, this is a good time to pray for peace, focus, and good success. It helps settle your mind. But even if you don’t pray, take a moment to breathe, relax, and remind yourself that you’re ready.
Arrive early to your CBT centre so you’re not rushing. Make sure you eat something light and stay hydrated. Once the exam starts, don’t panic. Read each question carefully, manage your time well, and trust your preparation.
You’ve done your best—now walk into the exam room with boldness and peace.
Final Words
Passing JAMB 2025/2026 is not about luck. It’s about preparing well, staying focused, and using the right strategies. You don’t need to be the smartest in your class—you just need to be serious, consistent, and believe in yourself.
The 16 tips shared here are simple, but they work. Thousands of students have used these same steps to score 250, 280, and even over 300. You can do it too. Start early, follow the syllabus, use the right materials, practice with CBT tools, and stay calm.
Even if you’re just starting now, it’s not too late. Take it one step at a time. Remove distractions, ask for help when you need it, and don’t give up.
Your dream school is possible. Your dream course is possible. And your high JAMB score is possible.
So keep reading. Keep practicing. And keep believing.
You’ve got this.