JAMB Syllabus for Biology 2024: Everything You Need to Know

Are you preparing for the 2024 JAMB UTME and wondering how to ace the Biology section? Do you want to know the topics, objectives, and examples that JAMB expects you to master? Do you need some reliable textbooks and resources to guide your study? Do you want to learn some proven strategies and secrets to pass the JAMB Biology exam with flying colors? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this blog post is for you!

In this post, I will share with you everything you need to know about the JAMB Syllabus for Biology 2024, including:

• The aim and scope of the syllabus
• The areas of concentration and subtopics for each section
• The recommended textbooks and online materials
• The best tips and tricks to pass the JAMB Biology exam
• Some frequently asked questions and answers

By the end of this post, you will have a clear understanding of what JAMB expects from you in Biology and how to prepare effectively for the exam. So, let’s get started!

The Aim and Scope of the Syllabus

The JAMB Syllabus for Biology 2024 is designed to test your achievement of the course objectives, which are to:

• Demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the concepts of the diversity, interdependence and unity of life
• Account for continuity of life through reproduction, inheritance and evolution
• Apply biological principles and concepts to everyday life, especially to matters affecting living things, individual, society, the environment, community health and the economy

The syllabus covers five major sections, namely:

• Variety of Organisms
• Form and Function
• Ecology
• Heredity and Variation
• Evolution

Each section has several subtopics and examples that illustrate the concepts and skills you are expected to know. The syllabus also indicates the level of cognitive demand for each topic, which can be:

• Knowledge and comprehension
• Application and analysis
• Synthesis and evaluation

You can download the official JAMB Syllabus for Biology 2024 in PDF format from here or here.

The Areas of Concentration and Subtopics for Each Section

The following is a summary of the areas of concentration and subtopics for each section of the JAMB Syllabus for Biology 2024. You can find more details and examples in the PDF document.

Section A: Variety of Organisms

This section deals with the classification, characteristics, and life histories of living organisms, from the simplest to the most complex. You are expected to know the following subtopics:

• Living organisms: characteristics, cell structure and functions, levels of organization
• Evolution among the following: Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, Animalia
• Classification of living organisms: principles, criteria, and schemes
• Viruses: structure, properties, and economic importance

Section B: Form and Function

This section deals with the structure and functions of the various parts and systems of plants and animals, and how they adapt to their environment. You are expected to know the following subtopics:

• Cell and molecular biology: cell theory, cell division, cell membrane, cell organelles, enzymes, nucleic acids, protein synthesis
• Nutrition: types, modes, and processes of nutrition in plants and animals
• Gaseous exchange and respiration: types, mechanisms, and processes of gaseous exchange and respiration in plants and animals
• Transport: types, mechanisms, and processes of transport in plants and animals
• Excretion: types, mechanisms, and processes of excretion in plants and animals
• Support and movement: types, structures, and functions of skeletal and muscular systems in plants and animals
• Coordination and control: types, structures, and functions of nervous and hormonal systems in plants and animals
• Growth and development: types, phases, and factors affecting growth and development in plants and animals
• Reproduction: types, modes, and processes of reproduction in plants and animals
• Homeostasis: concept, importance, and examples of homeostasis in plants and animals

Section C: Ecology

This section deals with the interactions and relationships between living organisms and their physical and biotic environment. You are expected to know the following subtopics:

• Ecosystem: concept, types, components, and interactions
• Population: concept, characteristics, and dynamics
• Community: concept, characteristics, and interactions
• Biomes: concept, types, and characteristics
• Ecological succession: concept, types, and stages
• Biogeochemical cycles: concept, types, and processes
• Energy flow: concept, types, and processes
• Food chain and food web: concept, types, and examples
• Ecological pyramids: concept, types, and examples
• Biodiversity: concept, types, and importance
• Conservation of natural resources: concept, methods, and importance
• Environmental pollution: concept, types, sources, effects, and control

Section D: Heredity and Variation

This section deals with the transmission and expression of genetic information from one generation to another, and the causes and consequences of genetic variation. You are expected to know the following subtopics:

• Genetics: concept, history, and scope
• Mendelian genetics: laws, principles, and applications
• Non-Mendelian genetics: types, examples, and applications
• Sex determination and sex linkage: mechanisms, examples, and applications
• Chromosomes: structure, types, and functions
• Mutation: concept, types, causes, and effects
• Genetic engineering: concept, techniques, and applications
• Variation: concept, types, causes, and effects
• Evolution: concept, evidences, and theories

Section E: Evolution

This section deals with the origin, history, and diversity of life on earth, and the factors and mechanisms that drive evolutionary change. You are expected to know the following subtopics:

• Origin of life: concept, evidences, and theories
• History of life: concept, evidences, and timeline
• Diversity of life: concept, evidences, and patterns
• Natural selection: concept, types, and examples
• Speciation: concept, types, and examples
• Adaptation: concept, types, and examples
• Extinction: concept, types, and examples

The Recommended Textbooks and Online Materials

To prepare effectively for the JAMB Biology exam, you need to use some reliable textbooks and online materials that cover the syllabus comprehensively and accurately. The following are some of the recommended textbooks and online materials for JAMB Biology:

• Ndu, F.O. C. Ndu, Abun A. and Aina J.O. (2001) Senior Secondary School Biology: Books 1 -3, Lagos: Longman
• Odunfa, S.A. (2001) Essential of Biology, Ibadan: Heinemann
• Oguniyi M.B. Adebisi A.A. and Okojie J.A. (2000) Biology for Senior Secondary Schools: Books 1 – 3, Macmillan
• Ramalingam, S.T. (2005) Modern Biology, SS Science Series. New Edition, AFP
• Stan. (2004) Biology for Senior Secondary Schools. Revised Edition, Ibadan: Heinemann
• Stone R.H. and Cozens, A.B.C. (1982) Biology for West African Schools. Longman
• Usua, E.J. (1997) Handbook of practical Biology 2nd Edition, University Press, Limited
• Khan Academy: [Biology]
• Crash Course: [Biology]
• BBC Bitesize: [Biology]

The Best Tips and Tricks to Pass the JAMB Biology Exam

To pass the JAMB Biology exam with a high score, you need to apply some effective study strategies and exam techniques. The following are some of the best tips and tricks to pass the JAMB Biology exam:

• Start your preparation early and make a study plan
• Review the syllabus and identify your strengths and weaknesses
• Study the topics and subtopics systematically and thoroughly
• Use the recommended textbooks and online materials to supplement your study
• Practice JAMB past questions and CBT software to test your knowledge and speed
• Join a JAMB lesson or have a tutor to guide you and clarify your doubts
• Revise and summarize the key points and concepts regularly
• Study in a conducive and distraction-free environment
• Eat well, sleep well, and exercise well to boost your brain power and health
• On the exam day, arrive early and follow the instructions carefully
• Read the questions and options carefully and choose the best answer
• Skip the questions you are not sure of and come back to them later
• Use the process of elimination to eliminate the wrong options
• Manage your time wisely and avoid spending too much time on one question
• Review your answers before submitting and make sure they are correct

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Here are some of the frequently asked questions and answers about the JAMB Biology exam:

• Q: How many questions are there in the JAMB Biology exam?
• A: There are 40 questions in the JAMB Biology exam, and you have 30 minutes to answer them.
• Q: What is the marking scheme for the JAMB Biology exam?
• A: The marking scheme for the JAMB Biology exam is as follows:
  • Each question carries 2.5 marks
  • There is no negative marking for wrong answers
  • The total score for the JAMB Biology exam is 100 marks
• Q: What