JAMB Syllabus For Chemistry 2025/2026

Are you searching for JAMB Syllabus For Chemistry to prepare for your forthcoming examinations?

Then you’ve come to the right place.

The JAMB Syllabus for Chemistry is a guide that outlines the topics and objectives for the chemistry section of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination.

It helps candidates understand the key areas they need to study, ranging from atomic structure to organic compounds.

By following the syllabus, students can ensure they cover essential concepts and are well-prepared for the exam, improving their chances of success.

Grab a chilled glass of water and keep reading…..

ALSO READ: Chemistry JAMB Past Questions And Answers PDF

JAMB Syllabus For Chemistry

The aim of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) 2025 syllabus in Chemistry is to prepare candidates for the Board’s examination.

It is designed to test their achievement of the course objectives, which are to:

(i) understand the basic principles and concepts in chemistry;

(ii) interpret scientific data relating to chemistry;

(iii) deduce the relationships between chemistry and other sciences;

(iv) apply the knowledge of chemistry to industry and everyday life.

1. Separation of Mixtures and Purification of Chemical Substances

Topics:

• Pure and impure substances
• Boiling and melting points
• Elements, compounds, and mixtures
• Chemical and physical changes
• Separation processes: evaporation, simple and fractional distillation, sublimation, filtration, crystallization, paper and column chromatography, simple and fractional crystallization, magnetization, decantation

Objectives:

Candidates should be able to:

• Distinguish between pure and impure substances
• Use boiling and melting points as criteria for purity of chemical substances
• Distinguish between elements, compounds, and mixtures
• Differentiate between chemical and physical changes
• Identify the properties of the components of a mixture
• Specify the principle involved in each separation method
• Apply the basic principles of separation processes in everyday life

2. Chemical Combination

Topics:

• Stoichiometry, laws of definite and multiple proportions, law of conservation of matter, Gay Lussac’s law of combining volumes, Avogadro’s law; chemical symbols, formulae, equations, and their uses, relative atomic mass based on 12C = 12, the mole concept, and Avogadro’s number

Objectives:

Candidates should be able to:

• Perform simple calculations involving formulae, equations/chemical composition, and the mole concept
• Deduce the chemical laws from given expressions/statements/data
• Interpret graphical representations related to these laws
• Deduce the stoichiometry of chemical reactions

3. Kinetic Theory of Matter and Gas Laws

Topics:

• An outline of the kinetic theory of matter
  • Melting
  • Vapourization
  • Boiling
  • Freezing
  • Condensation in terms of molecular motion and Brownian movement
• The laws of Boyle, Charles, Graham, and Dalton (law of partial pressure); combined gas law, molar volume, and atomicity of gases
• The ideal gas equation (PV = nRT)
• The relationship between vapour density of gases and relative molecular mass

Objectives:

Candidates should be able to:

• Apply the theory to distinguish between solids, liquids, and gases
• Deduce reasons for the change of state
• Draw inferences based on molecular motion
• Deduce gas laws from given expressions/statements
• Interpret graphical representations related to these laws
• Perform simple calculations based on these laws, equations, and relationships

4. Atomic Structure and Bonding

Topics:

• The concept of atoms, molecules, and ions, the works of Dalton, Millikan, Rutherford, Moseley, Thompson, and Bohr
• Atomic structure, electron configuration, atomic number, mass number, and isotopes (specific examples drawn from elements of atomic number 1 to 20)
• Shapes of s and p orbitals
• The periodic table and periodicity of elements: families of elements (e.g., alkali metals, halogens, noble gases, transition metals)
• Chemical bonding: electrovalency, covalency, hydrogen bonding, metallic bonding, and coordinate bonds
• Shapes of simple molecules: linear, non-linear, tetrahedral, and pyramidal
• Nuclear Chemistry: radioactivity, nuclear reactions, uses and applications of natural and artificial radioactivity

Objectives:

Candidates should be able to:

• Distinguish between atoms, molecules, and ions
• Identify the contributions of scientists to atomic structure
• Deduce the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons from atomic and mass numbers
• Apply rules for electron arrangement in atoms
• Identify isotopy and perform simple calculations related to isotopy
• Relate atomic number to position in the periodic table
• Understand and apply concepts of bonding, bond types, and molecular shapes
• Differentiate between chemical and nuclear reactions
• Compare types of nuclear radiation and understand their applications

5. Air

Topics:

• The natural gaseous constituents and their proportion in the air (nitrogen, oxygen, water vapour, carbon (IV) oxide, noble gases)
• Air as a mixture and some uses of noble gases

Objectives:

Candidates should be able to:

• Deduce reasons for the existence of air as a mixture
• Identify principles involved in the separation of air components
• Understand the variation in the composition of air in the environment
• Specify the uses of some constituents of air

6. Water

Topics:

• Water as a product of the combustion of hydrogen and its composition
• Water as a solvent, atmospheric gases dissolved in water, and their biological significance
• Hard and soft water: temporary and permanent hardness, methods of softening hard water
• Treatment of water for town supply
• Water of crystallization, efflorescence, deliquescence, and hygroscopy

Objectives:

Candidates should be able to:

• Identify various uses of water
• Distinguish between hard and soft water and their properties
• Describe the treatment process for town water supply
• Understand and identify phenomena related to water of crystallization

7. Solubility

Topics:

• Unsaturated, saturated, and supersaturated solutions
• Solubility curves and simple deductions from them
• Solvents for fats, oils, and paints
• False solutions (suspensions and colloids)

Objectives:

Candidates should be able to:

• Distinguish between different types of solutions
• Interpret solubility curves and calculate solubility
• Relate the nature of solvents to their uses
• Differentiate between true solutions, suspensions, and colloids

8. Environmental Pollution

Topics:

• Sources and effects of pollutants
• Air pollution: H2S, CO, SO2, oxides of nitrogen, chlorofluorocarbons, and dust
• Water pollution: Sewage and oil pollution
• Soil pollution: Oil spillage, biodegradable, and non-biodegradable pollutants

Objectives:

Candidates should be able to:

• Identify types of pollution and pollutants
• Understand the sources and effects of pollution
• Classify pollutants as biodegradable or non-biodegradable
• Specify control measures for environmental pollution

9. Acids, Bases, and Salts

Topics:

• General characteristics and properties of acids, bases, and salts
• Acids/base indicators, basicity of acids, types of salts
• pH and pOH scale; acid/base titrations
• Hydrolysis of salts and simple examples

Objectives:

Candidates should be able to:

• Distinguish between acids, bases, and salts
• Identify methods of preparing salts and their classifications
• Perform pH calculations and interpret titration curves
• Understand and perform calculations for hydrolysis of salts

10. Oxidation and Reduction

Topics:

• Oxidation as addition of oxygen or removal of hydrogen
• Reduction as removal of oxygen or addition of hydrogen
• Oxidation and reduction in terms of electron transfer
• Use of oxidation numbers and balancing simple equations

Objectives:

Candidates should be able to:

• Identify different forms of oxidation and reduction
• Classify reactions as oxidation or reduction
• Balance redox reaction equations
• Compute electron transfer and identify oxidizing/reducing agents

11. Electrolysis

Topics:

• Electrolytes and non-electrolytes
• Electrolysis of various solutions (e.g., H2SO4, CuSO4, NaCl)
• Electrochemical cells and corrosion protection methods

Objectives:

Candidates should be able to:

• Distinguish between electrolytes and non-electrolytes
• Perform electrolysis calculations and identify products at electrodes
• Understand the applications of electrolysis in metal purification and protection

12. Energy Changes

Topics:

• Energy changes (∆H) in physical and chemical processes
• Entropy and spontaneity of reactions

Objectives:

Candidates should be able to:

• Interpret heat changes in physical and chemical processes
• Relate spontaneity of reactions to ∆G, ∆H, and ∆S

13. Rates of Chemical Reaction

Topics:

• Factors affecting the rate of reaction (temperature, concentration, surface area, catalysts)
• Activation energy and reaction rate curves

Objectives:

Candidates should be able to:

• Identify factors that affect reaction rates
• Solve problems on reaction rates
• Understand activation energy and its importance

14. Chemical Equilibrium

Topics:

• Reversible reactions and factors governing equilibrium
• Le Chatelier’s principle

Objectives:

Candidates should be able to:

• Predict effects of factors on equilibrium position

15. Non-Metals and Their Compounds

Topics:

• Hydrogen, halogens, oxygen, sulphur, nitrogen, carbon and their compounds

Objectives:

Candidates should be able to:

• Identify properties, uses, and reactions of non-metal compounds
• Predict reagents for the preparation of non-metal compounds

16. Metals and Their Compounds

Topics:

• General properties of metals and their compounds
• Alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, transition metals, iron, copper, and alloys

Objectives:

Candidates should be able to:

• Specify extraction methods for metals
• Compare the properties and uses of metals and their compounds

17. Organic Compounds

Topics:

• Hydrocarbons (alkanes, alkenes, alkynes), aromatic hydrocarbons, alcohols, acids, amines, carbohydrates, proteins, and polymers

Objectives:

Candidates should be able to:

• Derive names and structures for organic compounds
• Relate functional groups to properties and uses
• Understand polymerization and distinguish between addition and condensation processes

18. Chemistry and Industry

Topics:

• Chemical industries, raw materials, biotechnology

Objectives:

Candidates should be able to:

• Classify chemical industries and identify their raw materials
• Relate industrial processes to biotechnology

RECOMMENDED TEXTS

1. Ababio, O. Y. (2009). New School Chemistry for Senior Secondary Schools (Fourth edition), Onitsha: Africana FIRST Publishers Limited.
2. Bajah, S.T.; Teibo, B. O., Onwu, G.; and Obikwere, A. Book 1 (1999). Senior Secondary Chemistry, Books 2 and 3 (2000). Lagos: Longman.
3. Ojokuku, G. O. (2012). Understanding Chemistry for Schools and Colleges (Revised Edition), Zaria: Press-On Chemresources.
4. Odesina, I. A. (2008). Essential: Chemistry for Senior Secondary Schools (2nd Edition), Lagos: Tonad Publishers Limited.
5. Uche, I. O., Adenuga, I. J., and Iwuagwu, S. L. (2003). Countdown to WASSCE/SSCE, NECO, JME Chemistry, Ibadan: Evans.

How to Pass JAMB Chemistry & Score 90+?

To pass JAMB Chemistry and score 90+, follow these steps:

1. Understand the Syllabus: Familiarize yourself with the JAMB Chemistry syllabus. Focus on key topics like atomic structure, chemical bonding, gas laws, and acids and bases.
2. Study the Recommended Texts: Use the recommended textbooks for a detailed understanding of concepts. They provide explanations, examples, and practice questions.
3. Practice Past Questions: Solve past JAMB Chemistry questions to get familiar with the exam format. Focus on identifying commonly asked questions.
4. Use JAMB CBT Practice Tools: Regularly practice using JAMB CBT software to simulate the exam environment and improve time management.
5. Master Key Concepts: Ensure you understand basic principles like stoichiometry, mole concept, and the periodic table. This foundational knowledge is crucial for tackling complex problems.
6. Time Management: Practice managing your time effectively during study sessions and mock exams. Aim to finish your exam within the allotted time while maintaining accuracy.
7. Take Notes: Make concise notes during your study to quickly revise key points. Summarize important theories, laws, and formulas.
8. Stay Consistent: Devote regular time to study. Consistency is key to mastering concepts and retaining information.
9. Seek Help When Needed: Don’t hesitate to ask for help if you don’t understand certain topics. Join study groups or consult a tutor.
10. Stay Calm and Confident: Maintain a positive mindset, especially during the exam. Confidence helps in making quick and accurate decisions.

ALSO READ: JAMB Syllabus For Physics 2025/2026