How is JAMB Score Calculated: JAMB Marking Scheme

If you’re gearing up for the JAMB and UTME exams and are scratching your head about how the JAMB scoring system works, you’ve hit the jackpot by landing here!

Whether you’re curious about the JAMB grading scheme, wondering if there’s some secret to cracking the JAMB code, or just trying to figure out how your score will be calculated, I’ve got you covered.

Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of it, focusing on English – the one subject everyone has to take.

Let’s break down how JAMB scores your English test, shall we?

JAMB Marking Scheme for Use of English

Alright, first things first: every candidate, no matter what course you’re aiming for at university, will tackle 60 questions in the English section.

But don’t let the number of questions fool you. These are worth more than one point each. The whole English test counts for 100 points.

SEE ALSO:

• How Many Questions Are in Jamb: A Comprehensive Guide
• Jamb Cut-Off Marks for 2024/2025 is Out for All Schools
• How To Pass Jamb: What I Learned from 4 Years of Writing Jamb

How Jamb Score Use of English Questions

SECTION A: Comprehension/Summary

• Comprehension questions: Each question carries 3 marks.
• Closed passages questions (you know, those exercises where you fill in the blanks): Each question equals 2 marks.
• Reading questions: Each carries 1 mark

SECTION B: Lexis and Structure

• Interpretation of sentences question: Each question carries 2 marks.
• Antonym and synonym questions are like twins; antonyms give you 2 marks on each question, but synonyms are a bit shyer, giving you 1 mark for each question.
• Sentence completion questions: For questions asking you to complete sentences, each question carries 1 mark

SECTION C: Oral Forms

• For oral exam questions, you’re looking at 1 mark per question.

So, imagine you answered 45 out of 60 questions correctly. Here’s how JAMB figures out your score: they take your 45, divide it by 60, and then multiply by 100 to get your score. Voilà, you’ve got a 75 out of 100 in Use of English!

Breakdown of the Use of English Questions

Just so you know what you’re getting into:

The use of English is broken down into 3 sections.

SECTION A Comprehension/Summary

• Includes a comprehension passage (5 questions)
• Close test (10 questions)
• Reading (10 questions)

SECTION B – Lexis and Structure

• Sentence interpretation (5 questions)
• Antonyms (5 questions)
• Synonyms (5 questions)
• Sentence completions (10 questions)

SECTION C – Oral form

• Oral forms (10 questions)

Add all these together and you have 60 questions on the Use of English

JAMB Marking Scheme for the three other UTME subjects

Since you have three other subjects in addition to English, you will find the official grading scheme for them below.

JAMB asks 40 questions on each of the other topics.

Each of these questions is scored or rated at 2.5 marks. Therefore, the three subjects = 300 marks (i.e. 40 x 2.5 x 3 subjects).

In other words, each of the other three subjects is 100 marks (same as Use of English).

If you score 2.5 (40 x 2.5).

Calculating Your Score in Other 3 Subjects

The way other subjects are being calculated goes thus:

For example, if you get 25, 23, and 26 out of 40 in Principles of Accounting, Physics, and Literature respectively, then JAMB will calculate your score as the following:

• Principles of Accounting = 25 x 2.5 = 63 (out of 100 marks)
• Physics = 22 x 2.5 = 55 (out of 100 marks)
• Literature = 26 x 2.5 = 65 (out of 100 marks)

Assume you score 75 in Use of English, and your final UTME score will be: 75 + 63 + 55 + 65 = That’s 258 out of 400.

Frequently Asked Questions on the JAMB Marking Scheme

Does JAMB use negative markup?

No, the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) does not employ a negative marking system. In other words, you won’t lose marks for incorrect answers in your exam.
For those of you who don’t know what a negative grade is, it’s a grading system in which each time a student answers a question incorrectly, a certain mark is subtracted from a student’s grade.

What is the score allocated to each UTME Subject?

Each subject in the JAMB UTME exam carries  100 marks, making the total score achievable across all four subjects equal to 400 marks. While scoring a perfect 400 might seem like a stretch, it’s not impossible with thorough preparation.

How does JAMB give scores?

In JAMB, the Use of English score ranges from 3 marks, 2 marks, and 1 mark depending on the questions. The total number of questions for Use of English is 60, while the other 3 subjects scored 2.5 marks per question

Can you score 400 in JAMB?

The highest possible score on the JAMB exam is 400. This score is considered to be a perfect score, and it is extremely rare for a candidate to achieve it.

What is the difference between the JAMB score and the Post-UTME score?

The main difference between these two scores lies in their administering bodies: JAMB scores are determined by the national Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, whereas Post UTME scores are set by individual institutions as part of their specific admission processes.

How many hours is the JAMB exam?

From 2017 onwards, the JAMB exam duration has been reduced to two hours from the previous three hours, according to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.

Conclusion

Understanding the JAMB marking scheme is crucial to preparing effectively for your exams.

Remember, your final score reflects your effort and preparation. Misconceptions about JAMB being able to manipulate scores should be disregarded.

Proper preparation is key to achieving a high score. If you found this information helpful, feel free to share it, and should you have any more questions, don’t hesitate to ask in the comments below.