Every JAMB year, there’s usually a recommended novel that candidates must read for the Use of English. Skip it, and you’ll lose easy marks. So let me explain the JAMB recommended novel for 2026, why it matters, and how to study it well to grab those marks.
Why the Recommended Novel Matters
JAMB sets a recommended novel each year, and a portion of the Use of English questions come straight from it. These are some of the easiest marks you can get, because the answers are in the story you’ve read. So ignoring the novel is like throwing away free marks. You can confirm the current recommended novel on the official portal at jamb.gov.ng.
How to Study the Novel Well
- Read the whole book, not just a summary online.
- Know the characters, their names, roles, and relationships.
- Understand the themes and major lessons of the story.
- Note the setting and important events in order.
- Read summaries after the full book to refresh your memory.
Smart Tips for Novel Questions
- Pay attention to details. Questions often test small facts.
- Link characters to events. Know who did what and why.
- Don’t rely on movies. Film versions can differ from the book.
- Practise past questions on novels to know the pattern.
Start Reading Early
Let me give you the golden rule for the novel. Start reading it early, not the night before the exam. A novel takes time to enjoy and understand, and cramming it in one night never works well. So read a few chapters each week, and let the story sink in. By exam time, you’ll know the characters and events like the back of your hand, and those novel questions will feel like a gift.
Make Short Notes as You Read
Here’s a study trick that works wonders. As you read the novel, keep a small notebook beside you. Jot down each character’s name and role, the main events, and the key themes. Then close to the exam, you simply revise your notes instead of reading the whole book again. This saves time and locks the story firmly in your memory. So read actively, not passively, and let your notes do the heavy lifting later.
Discuss the Story With Others
Let me add a fun, powerful tip. Talk about the novel with your friends or study group. Discuss the characters, argue about their choices, and share what you understood. Teaching and discussing a story helps it stick in your mind far better than reading alone. So turn the novel into conversation, and you’ll remember it easily when those questions appear in the exam hall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does JAMB really set a novel every year?
Yes. JAMB usually recommends a novel for the Use of English, so always confirm the current one.
How many questions come from the novel?
A number of Use of English questions are based on it, so it’s well worth reading fully.
Can I just read a summary?
Summaries help, but reading the full novel gives you the details questions often test.
When should I start reading it?
Early. Start months ahead so you can enjoy and understand the story properly.
Can I rely on the movie version?
No. Film versions often differ from the book, so always read the actual novel.
Don’t Rely on Group Cramming Alone
Let me give you balanced advice. Group discussions are great, but don’t depend on them entirely. Some friends may share wrong details or half-understood points about the novel. So always confirm what you discuss against the actual book. Use group study to test and sharpen your knowledge, not to replace your own reading. The strongest students read the novel themselves first, then use discussions to fill gaps. So combine personal reading with smart group revision, and the novel questions will be easy marks.
Final Thoughts
The recommended novel is a source of easy marks if you prepare for it. So confirm the current JAMB recommended novel, read it fully and early, make notes, and discuss it with others.
Read the story well, know it deeply, and turn those novel questions into sure marks.
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