7 Most Difficult Subjects in JAMB(UTME) Revealed (And How to Pass Them)
What is the most difficult subject in JAMB?
This question pops up every year.
But honestly? It might be the wrong question.
Instead of asking:
-
Which subject is the hardest in JAMB?
-
Is JAMB result upgrade real?
-
How can I predict JAMB questions?
You should be asking:
-
How can I pass JAMB with a high score?
-
How is JAMB marked?
-
What strategy works best for scoring 250+ in JAMB?
At Undergragra, we believe no subject is impossible — but some are definitely more challenging than others.
Let’s break it down.
List of Subjects That Are Considered Difficult in JAMB
Note: These subjects are not arranged in order of difficulty.
-
Use of English
-
Accounting
-
Literature in English
-
Mathematics
-
Physics
-
Biology
-
Government
Now let’s analyze them one by one.
1. Use of English (Compulsory and Often the Hardest)
Use of English is the only subject every JAMB candidate must write — and surprisingly, it is often the lowest-scoring subject.
Many students underestimate English because they “can speak it well.”
But JAMB English is technical.
It includes:
-
Comprehension passages
-
Lexis and structure
-
Concord
-
Idioms and expressions
-
Synonyms and antonyms
-
Oral English (vowels, consonants, stress)
-
Novel questions
English is broad. What looks correct may not be correct.
Even WAEC candidates struggle yearly with English Language. The issue isn’t speaking English — it’s mastering the rules.
How to Score High in JAMB Use of English
-
Study concord seriously
-
Practice comprehension daily
-
Read the recommended novel thoroughly
-
Do not rush during the exam
-
Practice CBT mock tests
Important: Don’t depend only on English. Make sure your other three subjects are strong.
2. Accounting
Accounting is highly technical.
Many students struggle because:
-
They don’t understand principles
-
They memorize instead of practicing
-
They ignore calculations
If you’re offering Accounting, you must practice daily. It’s not a subject you cram overnight.
3. Literature in English
Literature can be tricky.
Why?
Because:
-
Two answers often look similar
-
Questions may come from parts of the novel you ignored
-
Figures of speech can confuse you
-
It consumes time in the exam hall
How to Pass Literature in JAMB
-
Read the recommended texts from beginning to end
-
Understand themes, characters, and symbols
-
Practice past questions
-
Learn common literary devices
Do not gamble with selective reading.
4. Mathematics
Many people believe Mathematics is the hardest subject in JAMB.
But the truth?
JAMB Mathematics is mostly straightforward — except when it comes to:
-
Differentiation
-
Integration
-
Word problems
-
Trigonometry
Engineering and science students cannot escape Mathematics. It will follow you into higher institution.
How to Score High in JAMB Mathematics
-
Master formulas
-
Practice calculations daily
-
Focus on weak areas
-
Solve past questions repeatedly
Math rewards practice.
5. Physics
Physics has a reputation for being difficult.
But the real problem is not formulas — it’s application.
You must:
-
Understand units
-
Know when to apply formulas
-
Manipulate equations correctly
-
Interpret questions properly
Sometimes assumptions are required, and that confuses candidates.
Physics requires deep understanding, not cramming.
6. Biology
Biology is very broad.
There are:
-
Many topics
-
Many subtopics
-
Numerous scientific terms
Students struggle because they don’t cover the syllabus fully.
Yet, some candidates score as high as 90+ in Biology.
Why?
Because they read extensively and practice consistently.
How to Pass Biology in JAMB
-
Cover the entire syllabus
-
Understand diagrams
-
Practice labeling
-
Study classification and genetics carefully
7. Government
Many students assume Government is easy.
But Government requires serious memorization.
You must know:
-
Political theories
-
Constitutional development
-
Public institutions
-
Nigerian government structure
-
International organizations
It’s not Civic Education. It’s deeper.
If you don’t study, you’ll struggle.
So, Which Subject Is the Hardest in JAMB?
There is no universal answer.
The hardest subject in JAMB is:
The subject you failed to prepare for.
Difficulty is relative.
A student may score 90 in Biology and 40 in English.
Another may score 85 in Mathematics and 35 in Physics.
It depends on:
-
Preparation
-
Practice
-
Understanding
-
Time management
Final Advice from Undergragra
No subject is impossible.
Some are technical.
Some are broad.
Some require calculation.
Some require memorization.
But all require preparation.
At Undergragra, we guide students from JAMB to matriculation and beyond.
If you’re serious about scoring 250+, start preparing strategically — not emotionally…
Join our JAMBITES Whatsapp group