JAMB Marking Scheme 2026/2027 Grading System

JAMB Marking Scheme 2026/2027 entails that each of the four subjects is marked out of 100, for a total of 400 marks. English has 60 questions, with varying marks per section, while the other three subjects have 40 questions each, with 2.5 marks per question.

In this article, we will learn how the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) marks its exam and grading system in full details.

JAMB Marking Scheme 2026/2027

The Jamb Marking Scheme for the 2026/2027 academic system remains the same, no Change. it involves a system where Computers do JAMB marking of candidates’ answers. There is no manual marking scheme or guide.. In this blog post, we are going to explain how Jamb Scores are marked and calculated.

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Here’s how it works:

The JAMB exam has 180 questions in total, across 4 subjects.

• Total score: 400 marks
• English: 60 questions (up to 100 marks)
• Other 3 subjects: 40 questions each (up to 100 marks per subject)

So, while it might seem like each question carries about 0.45 marks, scores are scaled per subject to total 400, not equally per question.

Note: Scoring isn’t just about how many questions you get right — JAMB uses a scaling system, adjusting scores based on question difficulty and performance trends.

If you correctly answer 50 out of the 60 questions in English, that will be;

50/60 x 100 = approximately 83

Which means you had 83 over 100.

Let’s say you correctly answer 30, 35, and 28 in subjects 2, 3 & 4 (the remaining subjects).

For subject 2, you have;

30/40 x 100 = 75

For subject 3, you have;

35/40 x 100 = Approximately 88

And for the last subject, you have;

28/40 x 100 = 70

Adding the scores in all four subjects:

83 + 75 + 88 + 70 = 316

So, that’s 316 out of 400 in JAMB.

Now, that’s how JAMB marks are calculated. However, they don’t do this manually but with the help of computers since there are millions of candidates.

Now, we are going to use the JAMB Marking Scheme for the use of English in UTME 2026 as an example to show you how JAMB cut-off marks are calculated.

JAMB Marking Scheme For The Use Of English 2026/2027

Regardless of the course they have chosen, all candidates must respond to the 60 questions in the JAMB’s Use of English section.

But rather than 60, it receives a grade of over 100.

The JAMB English grading system is broken down as follows:
(A list or table illustrating how the 60 questions correspond to 100 marks would normally follow.)

UTME English Qualification: Evaluation/ Assessment

SECTION A: Understanding/ Summary

• Comprehension questions: 3 points each
• Closed passages* questions: 2 points each
• Reading questions: 1 point each

*A closed passage is a reading comprehension exercise in which words have been systematically omitted. Students fill in the blanks and their answers are counted correctly if they match the missing words exactly.

SECTION B: Lexis and Structure

• Questions on sentence interpretation: 2 points each
• Antonym questions: 2 points each
• Synonym questions: 1 point each
• Questions about complete sentences: 1 point each

SECTION C: Oral forms (oral examination)

• Oral exam questions: 1 point each

If the total number of English questions assigned to you is 60, but you received 45, JAMB will finish with this calculation: 45/60 x 100 (in percent). So your grade will be 75%

SECTION A: Understanding/ Summary

• (a) 1 comprehension passage – 5 questions
• (b) I Cloze – 10 questions
• (c) 1 Reading – 10 Questions

SECTION B: Lexicon and Structure

• (a) Interpretation of sentences: 5 questions
• (b) Antonyms – 5 questions
• (c) Synonyms – 5 questions
• (d) Complete sentences: 10 questions

SECTION C: Oral forms

• 10 questions

Total: 60 questions

• Apart from Use of English (60 questions, 100 marks), you’ll answer 3 other subjects.
• Each of these subjects has 40 questions, with each question carrying 2.5 marks.
• So, each subject is worth 100 marks, and the three subjects together make up 300 marks.

Scoring Example:

• If you score 25 out of 40 in each subject:
  25 × 2.5 = 62.5 marks per subject
• Assuming English score is 75, your total UTME score:
  75 (English) + 62.5 + 62.5 + 62.5 = 262.5 (rounded to 263)

JAMB Subject Structure:

• Use of English – 100 marks
• Subject 2 – 100 marks
• Subject 3 – 100 marks
• Subject 4 – 100 marks
• Total – 400 marks

Example:

• English – 100
• Economics – 100
• Government – 100
• Literature – 100
• Total = 400

JAMB Grading System for All Schools 2026/2027

The new post-grading system was introduced to consider those candidates who have performed well in their O-Level results. This means that the institution now takes the O’level mark into account for admission.

Extra marks out of 10 are awarded to candidates who have their O level results in one sitting, while those with two sittings only get 2 points.

In the rating system, A1 gives you 6 points while B2 gives you 4 points, so those who have their O level results with plenty of Cs only have 3 points.

JAMB Marking Scheme FAQ

Conclusion

Now that you know how JAMB grading operates, keep in mind that your preparation is reflected in your score. Success is determined by your preparation and effort; JAMB does not assign grades at random.

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