The JAMB Chemistry syllabus 2026 is a structured guide for candidates preparing for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination. Chemistry is a core science subject required for many courses such as medicine, pharmacy, engineering, and pure sciences. Because of its combination of theory, calculations, and practical applications, many students find Chemistry challenging when they study without clear direction. The syllabus helps solve this problem by outlining the exact areas candidates are expected to understand for the examination.
What is the Chemistry Syllabus
The JAMB Chemistry syllabus is an official document that outlines the knowledge, skills, and learning objectives candidates must acquire before sitting for the UTME. It covers major areas of Chemistry including physical chemistry, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, and aspects of practical chemistry.
In organic chemistry, candidates are expected to understand hydrocarbons, functional groups, reactions, and basic applications of organic compounds. In inorganic chemistry, knowledge of metals, non metals, salts, and industrial chemistry is emphasised.
JAMB Syllabus for Chemistry Contents
This syllabus does not have sections rather topics, including:
- Separation of Mixtures and Purification of Chemical Substances
- Chemical Combination
- Kinetic Theory of Matter and Gas Laws
- Atomic Structure and Bonding
- Air
- Water
- Solubility
- Environmental Pollution
- Acids, Bases and Salts
- Oxidation and Reduction – Redox
- Electrolysis
- Energy Changes
- Rates of Chemical Reaction
- Chemical Equilibra
- Non-metals and Their Compounds
- Metals and their compounds
- Organic Compounds
- Chemistry and Industry
| S/N | TOPICS/CONTENTS/NOTES | OBJECTIVES |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Separation of Mixtures and Purification of Chemical Substances (a) Pure and impure substances (b) Boiling and melting points (c) Elements, compounds and mixtures (d) Chemical and physical changes (e) Separation processes: Evaporation, simple and fractional distillation, sublimation, filtration, crystallization, paper and column chromatography, simple and fractional crystallization, magnetization, decantation. | Candidates should be able to: (i) distinguish between pure and impure substances; (ii) use boiling and melting points as criteria for purity of chemical substances; (iii) distinguish between elements, compounds and mixture; (iv) differentiate between chemical and physical changes; (v) identify the properties of the components of a mixture; (vi) specify the principle involved in each separation method; and (vii) apply the basic principle of separation processes in everyday life. |
| 2 | Chemical Combination Laws of definite, multiple and reciprocal 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 and stoichiometry of reactions. | Candidates should be able to: (i) perform simple calculations involving formulae, equations/chemical composition and the mole concept; (ii) deduce the chemical laws from given expressions/statements/data; (iii) interpret graphical representations related to these laws; and (iv) deduce the stoichiometry of chemical reactions. |
| 3 | Kinetic Theory of Matter and Gas Laws (a) Phenomena to support the kinetic theory of matter using (i) melting, (ii) vapourization (iii) boiling (iv) freezing (v) condensation in terms of molecular motion and Brownian movement. (b) (i) The laws of Boyle, Charles, Graham and Dalton (law of partial pressure); combined gas law, molar volume and atomicity of gases. (ii) The ideal gas equation (PV = nRT). (iii) The relationship between vapour density of gases and the relative molecular mass | Candidates should be able to: (i) apply the theory to distinguish between solids, liquids and gases; (ii) deduce reasons for change of state; (iii) draw inferences based on molecular motion; (iv) deduce gas laws from given expressions/statements; (v) interpret graphical representations related to these laws; and (vi) perform simple calculations based on these laws, equations and relationships. |
| 4 | Atomic Structure and Bonding (a) (i)The concept of atoms, molecules and ions, the works of Dalton, Millikan, Rutherford, Moseley, Thompson and Bohr. (ii) Atomic structure, electron configuration, atomic number, mass number and isotopes; specific examples should be drawn from elements of atomic number 1 to 20. (iii) Shapes of s and p orbitals. (b) The periodic table and periodicity of elements, presentation of the periodic table with a view to recognizing families of elements e.g. alkali metals, halogens, the noble gases and transition metals. The variation of the following properties: ionization energy, ionic radii, electron affinity and electronegativity. (c) Chemical bonding. Electrovalency and covalency, the electron configuration of elements and their tendency to attain the noble gas structure. Hydrogen bonding and metallic bonding as special types of electrovalency and covalency respectively; coordinate bond as a type of covalent bond as illustrated by complexes like [Fe(CN)6] 3- , [Fe(CN)6] 4- , [Cu(NH3)4] 2+and [Ag(NH3)2] + ; van der Waals’ forces should be mentioned as a special type of bonding forces. (d) Shapes of simple molecules: linear ((H2, O2, C12, HCl and CO2), non-linear (H2O), tetrahedral; (CH4) and pyramidal (NH3). (e) Nuclear Chemistry: (i) Radioactivity – Types and properties of radiations (ii) Nuclear reactions. Simple equations, uses and applications of natural and artificial radioactivit | Candidates should be able to: (i) distinguish between atoms, molecules and ions; (ii) identify the contributions of these scientists to the development of the atomic structure; (iii) deduce the number of protons, neutrons and electrons from atomic and mass numbers of an atom; (iv) apply the rules guiding the arrangement of electrons in an atom; (v) identify common elements exhibiting isotopy; (vi) relate isotopy to mass number; (vii) perform simple calculations relating to isotopy; (viii) differentiate between the shapes of the orbitals; (ix) determine the number of electrons in s and p atomic orbitals; (x) relate atomic number to the position of an element on the periodic table; (xi) relate properties of groups of elements on the periodic table; (xii) identify reasons for variation in properties across the period and down the groups; (xiii) differentiate between the different types of bonding; (xiv) deduce bond types based on electron configurations; (xv) relate the nature of bonding to properties of compounds; (xvi) differentiate between the various shapes of molecules; xvii) distinguish between ordinary chemical reaction and nuclear reaction; (xviii) differentiate between natural and artificial radioactivity; (xix) compare the properties of the different types of nuclear radiations; (xx) compute simple calculations on the half-life of a radioactive material; (xxi) balance simple nuclear equation; and (xxii) identify the various applications of radioactivity. |
| 5 | Air (a) The natural gaseous constituents and their proportion in the air. – nitrogen, oxygen, water vapour, carbon (IV) oxide and the noble gases (argon and neon). (b) Air as a mixture and some uses of the noble gas. | Candidates should be able to: (i) deduce reason (s) for the existence of air as a mixture; (ii) identify the principle involved in the separation of air components; (iii) deduce reasons for the variation in the composition of air in the environment; and (iv) specify the uses of some of the constituents of air. |
Download Chemistry JAMB Syllabus 2026/2027
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Does the JAMB Chemistry syllabus change every year
A: The core content remains largely the same, though minor adjustments may be made to improve clarity or align with current educational standards.
Q: Which areas of Chemistry are most important for JAMB
A: High priority areas include chemical calculations, acids and bases, chemical bonding, organic chemistry, periodic trends, and energy changes.
Q: Are calculations compulsory in the Chemistry exam
A: Yes. Stoichiometry, mole concept, concentration calculations, and simple gas laws frequently appear in the exam.
Q: Is practical chemistry tested in JAMB
A: Yes, but only theoretically. Candidates must understand laboratory procedures, apparatus, and experimental outcomes.
Q: Can I score high in Chemistry without memorising reactions
A: Memorisation alone is not enough. Understanding reaction patterns and concepts helps candidates apply knowledge correctly.
Q: Are organic chemistry questions difficult
A: They are manageable with proper understanding of functional groups, reactions, and nomenclature.
Q: Can past questions alone prepare me for Chemistry
A: Past questions are useful, but studying the syllabus ensures full topic coverage and better understanding.
Q: What textbooks should I use for Chemistry
A: Any standard senior secondary school Chemistry textbook approved for WAEC or NECO is suitable for JAMB preparation.
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