The syllabus for Music in the JAMB 2026/2027 examination has officially been released by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). This update is essential for all candidates who plan to sit for Music in the upcoming UTME. With the syllabus now available in PDF format, students can easily access and study the exact topics that JAMB will test.
Syllabus Overview
| Examination Type | UTME / Direct Entry |
| Examination Year | 2026/2027 |
| Syllabus | Music |
| File Format | |
| File Size | 113KB |
In addition to guiding your study, this syllabus is also helpful when searching for relevant textbooks or resources. Knowing exactly what JAMB expects allows you to prepare more strategically, boosting your confidence and performance.
General Objectives
- Appreciate and discuss music fairly and critically;
- Identify, through written/aural analysis, the features of the music of different periods of Western and African
music theory history, peoples, its forms and the media; - Appreciate the influence of socio-cultural and technological factors on the lives and music of musicians.
- Attain a sound musical basis for further learning at the tertiary level
| TOPICS/CONTENTS/NOTES | OBJECTIVES |
|---|---|
| SECTION A: RUDIMENTS OF MUSIC 1. The Staff (a) great staff, (b) ledger lines and spaces, (c) open score (voice score) and (d) C clef, alto (viola clef) and tenor clef. | Candidates should be able to identify all the components of the staff ad their applications |
| 2. Music Notes/Rests and their corresponding values. | Candidates should be able to determine the relative duration of different notes and rests |
| 3. Time/Time Signature: (simple and compound time signatures), the correct grouping of notes and barring of unbarred passages. | Candidates should be able to interpret varied rhythmic patterns. |
| 4. A – Key signatures and scales: (i) technical names of the various degrees of the scale (ii) diatonic major/minor (natural, harmonic, and melodic) (iii) chromatic scales B – Determination of the key of a piece of music with or without key signature NOT exceeding two sharps ad two flats. | Candidates should be able to; i. ascertain names of the various degrees of the diatonic scales. ii. identify simple scale passages with or without key signature. |
| 5. (a) Keyboard setting and enharmonic and equivalents (b) Accidentals | Candidates should be able to identify the names of the white and black keys and their relationship, e.g. C sharp = Db = Bx |
Download JAMB 2026 Syllabus for Music
Click here to download the Music syllabus PDF directly:
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, there may be slight updates or additions each year. It is important to download the current 2026/2027 syllabus to ensure you are studying the most up-to-date topics.
No. JAMB only tests theoretical knowledge in Music. You won’t be asked to perform or play instruments. However, you will need to understand musical notations, keys, rhythms, and be able to recognize intervals and chords.
Typically, the UTME Music exam contains 40 multiple-choice questions, each carrying equal marks. The questions are strictly based on the syllabus, so covering all topics increases your chance of scoring high.
