JAMB CBT Practice Biology: Questions, Tips & Free Practice (2027)

JAMB CBT Practice Biology: Questions, Tips & Free Practice (2027)

Introduction: Why Biology Is the Most Popular and Most Underestimated JAMB Subject

Biology is the most registered science subject in JAMB. Every candidate applying for Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Agriculture, and dozens of other courses needs Biology. In any given year, over a million candidates sit for JAMB Biology.

Despite its popularity, many students approach Biology with a dangerous assumption: that it is a "reading subject" that requires nothing more than memorisation. This leads to a predictable pattern. They read their textbooks, highlight key terms, and walk into the exam expecting to recognise the answers. Then they encounter questions that test application, interpretation of diagrams, and connections between topics, and they struggle.

JAMB Biology is not about how much you have read. It is about how well you understand and can apply what you have read under timed CBT conditions. The exam tests your ability to interpret diagrams without labels, identify organisms from descriptions, connect ecological concepts to real-world scenarios, and recall specific details about human physiology, all in roughly 45 seconds per question.

This guide breaks down the complete Biology syllabus, gives you 20 practice questions with explanations, and provides a study plan designed to push your score past 70/100.

Start Practising Now: SchoolHub's Free JAMB CBT Practice App covers Biology with AI-generated questions, a 20-minute timer, and detailed explanations, all completely free.

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JAMB Biology at a Glance

Key fact: Biology has the broadest syllabus of all JAMB science subjects. It covers everything from cell biology to ecology, from genetics to human physiology. Selective studying is risky because questions come from every corner of the syllabus.

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Complete JAMB Biology Syllabus Breakdown

1. Cell Biology and Organisation of Life (Approximately 15% of questions)

Topics covered:

• Cell structure (plant cell vs. animal cell, organelles and their functions)
• Cell membrane (structure, diffusion, osmosis, active transport)
• Cell division (mitosis, meiosis, stages and significance)
• Levels of organisation (cell, tissue, organ, organ system, organism)
• Classification of living things (five kingdoms, binomial nomenclature)
• Characteristics of living things (MR NIGER D: Movement, Respiration, Nutrition, Irritability, Growth, Excretion, Reproduction, Death)
• Enzymes (properties, factors affecting enzyme activity)

Why it matters: Cell biology forms the foundation for every other topic. Questions on organelle functions, osmosis, and mitosis vs. meiosis appear in almost every JAMB sitting.

2. Plant Biology (Approximately 15% of questions)

Topics covered:

• Plant nutrition (photosynthesis, mineral nutrition)
• Transport in plants (transpiration, translocation, xylem, phloem)
• Plant hormones (auxins, gibberellins, tropisms)
• Plant reproduction (pollination, fertilisation, seed structure, germination, fruit types)
• Plant growth and development
• Plant tissues and their functions

Frequently tested: Photosynthesis equation, conditions for photosynthesis, types of pollination (wind vs. insect), seed structure and conditions for germination.

3. Animal Biology and Human Physiology (Approximately 25% of questions)

This is the largest section. JAMB draws heavily from human body systems.

Topics covered:

• Nutrition (classes of food, balanced diet, food tests, digestive system, enzymes in digestion)
• Circulatory system (heart structure, blood composition, blood groups, blood vessels, lymphatic system)
• Respiratory system (aerobic vs. anaerobic respiration, gaseous exchange in humans, lungs)
• Excretory system (kidney structure and function, nephron, formation of urine, skin, liver)
• Nervous system (central nervous system, reflex arc, sense organs, eye, ear)
• Endocrine system (hormones and their functions, feedback mechanisms)
• Skeletal and muscular system (types of skeleton, joints, muscles)
• Reproductive system (male and female reproductive organs, menstrual cycle, fertilisation, pregnancy)

Why it matters: Human physiology alone accounts for roughly 10 of your 40 questions. A student who knows the digestive, circulatory, respiratory, and excretory systems thoroughly has a massive advantage.

4. Genetics and Evolution (Approximately 15% of questions)

Topics covered:

• Heredity (Mendel's laws, monohybrid and dihybrid crosses)
• Genotype and phenotype (dominance, recessiveness, co-dominance)
• Sex determination and sex-linked inheritance
• Blood group inheritance (ABO and Rhesus factor)
• Variation (continuous and discontinuous)
• Mutations (types, causes, effects)
• Evolution (Darwin's theory, natural selection, evidence for evolution)
• Adaptation (structural, physiological, behavioural)
• Resistance (drug resistance in bacteria, pesticide resistance)

Frequently tested: Genetic crosses with Punnett squares, blood group inheritance problems, sex-linked traits (colour blindness, haemophilia), types of variation.

5. Ecology (Approximately 20% of questions)

Topics covered:

• Ecosystem (components: biotic and abiotic factors)
• Food chains, food webs, and trophic levels
• Energy flow in ecosystems (pyramid of energy, biomass, numbers)
• Nutrient cycling (carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle, water cycle)
• Population ecology (population growth, carrying capacity, factors affecting population size)
• Ecological succession (primary and secondary succession)
• Biomes (tropical rainforest, savanna, desert, aquatic ecosystems)
• Pollution (water, air, soil pollution; effects and control)
• Conservation of natural resources
• Symbiotic relationships (mutualism, commensalism, parasitism)
• Adaptation of organisms to their environment (aquatic, terrestrial, arboreal)

Why it matters: Ecology is the second-largest section and often includes application questions that test understanding rather than memorisation. Students who understand food webs and nutrient cycles score well here.

6. Microorganisms, Disease, and Biotechnology (Approximately 10% of questions)

Topics covered:

• Microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa)
• Diseases (malaria, cholera, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, common cold)
• Disease prevention and control (vaccination, hygiene, quarantine, vector control)
• Immune system (antigens, antibodies, types of immunity)
• Biotechnology (fermentation, genetic engineering, tissue culture)
• Drug abuse and its effects

Frequently tested: Life cycle of the malaria parasite (Plasmodium), mode of transmission of diseases, difference between bacteria and viruses.

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20 JAMB Biology Practice Questions With Explanations

Work through these under timed conditions. Give yourself 15 minutes for all 20, then check the explanations.

Cell Biology

Question 1: Which organelle is responsible for the production of ATP in a cell?

• (A) Ribosome (B) Golgi apparatus (C) Mitochondrion (D) Endoplasmic reticulum

Explanation: The mitochondrion is the "powerhouse of the cell." It is the site of aerobic respiration where ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is produced. Ribosomes make proteins. Golgi apparatus packages and distributes proteins. ER transports materials within the cell. Answer: (C)

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Question 2: A plant cell placed in a concentrated salt solution will

• (A) swell and burst (B) become turgid (C) become plasmolysed (D) remain unchanged

Explanation: In a concentrated (hypertonic) solution, water moves out of the cell by osmosis. The cell membrane pulls away from the cell wall, a process called plasmolysis. Swelling occurs in a hypotonic solution. Answer: (C)

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Question 3: Which of the following is NOT a difference between mitosis and meiosis?

• (A) Mitosis produces 2 cells, meiosis produces 4 (B) Mitosis maintains chromosome number, meiosis halves it (C) Mitosis occurs in somatic cells, meiosis in reproductive cells (D) Both mitosis and meiosis involve DNA replication

Explanation: The question asks for what is NOT a difference. Option (D) describes a similarity: both processes begin with DNA replication. Options (A), (B), and (C) are genuine differences. Answer: (D)

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Plant Biology

Question 4: The equation for photosynthesis is

• (A) 6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂
• (B) C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O
• (C) 6CO₂ + 12H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ + 6H₂O
• (D) 6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6CO₂

Explanation: Photosynthesis uses carbon dioxide and water in the presence of sunlight and chlorophyll to produce glucose and oxygen. Option (A) is the simplified equation. Option (B) is the equation for respiration (the reverse). Answer: (A)

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Question 5: Which of the following is an agent of pollination?

• (A) Xylem (B) Phloem (C) Wind (D) Root hairs

Explanation: Pollination is the transfer of pollen from anther to stigma. Agents include wind, insects, birds, and water. Xylem and phloem are transport tissues. Root hairs absorb water. Answer: (C)

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Question 6: The part of a seed that develops into the shoot is the

• (A) radicle (B) plumule (C) testa (D) cotyledon

Explanation: The plumule develops into the shoot (stem and leaves). The radicle develops into the root. The testa is the seed coat. Cotyledons store food for the embryo. Answer: (B)

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Human Physiology

Question 7: Which blood group is known as the universal donor?

• (A) A (B) B (C) AB (D) O

Explanation: Blood group O has no A or B antigens on its red blood cells, so it can be donated to recipients of any blood group without causing an immune reaction. Group AB is the universal recipient. Answer: (D)

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Question 8: The functional unit of the kidney is the

• (A) alveolus (B) neuron (C) nephron (D) villus

Explanation: The nephron is the structural and functional unit of the kidney. It consists of the Bowman's capsule, proximal tubule, loop of Henle, distal tubule, and collecting duct. The alveolus is in the lungs, the neuron in the nervous system, and the villus in the small intestine. Answer: (C)

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Question 9: The enzyme pepsin in the stomach works best in

• (A) alkaline conditions (B) neutral conditions (C) acidic conditions (D) any pH condition

Explanation: The stomach produces hydrochloric acid (HCl), creating an acidic environment (pH 1.5-3.5). Pepsin is optimised to work at this low pH. It breaks down proteins into peptides. In alkaline conditions, pepsin is denatured. Answer: (C)

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Question 10: In the human eye, the part that controls the amount of light entering is the

• (A) cornea (B) lens (C) iris (D) retina

Explanation: The iris contains muscles that contract or relax to change the size of the pupil, controlling how much light enters the eye. The cornea refracts light, the lens focuses it, and the retina contains photoreceptors. Answer: (C)

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Question 11: Deoxygenated blood from the body enters the heart through the

• (A) left atrium (B) right atrium (C) left ventricle (D) right ventricle

Explanation: Deoxygenated blood from the body returns via the vena cava into the right atrium. It then moves to the right ventricle, which pumps it to the lungs. Oxygenated blood returns to the left atrium from the lungs. Answer: (B)

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Question 12: Which hormone is responsible for regulating blood sugar levels by lowering glucose concentration?

• (A) Glucagon (B) Insulin (C) Adrenaline (D) Thyroxine

Explanation: Insulin is produced by the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. It lowers blood sugar by promoting glucose uptake by cells. Glucagon does the opposite (raises blood sugar). Adrenaline prepares the body for "fight or flight." Thyroxine controls metabolic rate. Answer: (B)

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Genetics and Evolution

Question 13: In a cross between two heterozygous parents (Aa × Aa), what is the expected ratio of phenotypes in the offspring?

• (A) 1:1 (B) 3:1 (C) 1:2:1 (D) 1:1:1:1

Explanation: Aa × Aa gives: AA, Aa, Aa, aa. With complete dominance, AA and Aa show the dominant phenotype, aa shows the recessive. Phenotypic ratio = 3 dominant : 1 recessive = 3:1. The 1:2:1 ratio is the genotypic ratio. Answer: (B)

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Question 14: Colour blindness is a sex-linked trait carried on the X chromosome. If a carrier female (X^C X^c) marries a normal male (X^C Y), what proportion of their sons will be colour blind?

• (A) None (B) 1/4 (C) 1/2 (D) All

Explanation: The carrier female can pass either X^C or X^c to her sons. Sons get their Y from the father. So sons are either X^C Y (normal) or X^c Y (colour blind). That is 50%, or 1/2. Answer: (C)

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Question 15: Which of the following is an example of discontinuous variation?

• (A) Height (B) Weight (C) Blood group (D) Skin colour

Explanation: Discontinuous variation produces distinct categories with no intermediates. Blood groups (A, B, AB, O) are distinct categories. Height, weight, and skin colour show continuous variation with a range of intermediates. Answer: (C)

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Question 16: The theory of evolution by natural selection was proposed by

• (A) Gregor Mendel (B) Louis Pasteur (C) Charles Darwin (D) Jean-Baptiste Lamarck

Explanation: Charles Darwin proposed natural selection as the mechanism of evolution in "On the Origin of Species" (1859). Mendel studied genetics. Pasteur studied microbiology. Lamarck proposed the now-rejected theory of inheritance of acquired characteristics. Answer: (C)

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Ecology

Question 17: In a food chain: Grass → Grasshopper → Lizard → Hawk, the grasshopper is a

• (A) producer (B) primary consumer (C) secondary consumer (D) tertiary consumer

Explanation: Grass is the producer. The grasshopper eats the grass, making it the primary consumer (first-order consumer). The lizard eats the grasshopper (secondary consumer). The hawk eats the lizard (tertiary consumer). Answer: (B)

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Question 18: Which of the following is an abiotic factor in an ecosystem?

• (A) Predators (B) Temperature (C) Parasites (D) Competitors

Explanation: Abiotic factors are non-living components of an ecosystem: temperature, rainfall, sunlight, humidity, pH, wind, and soil type. Predators, parasites, and competitors are all living organisms (biotic factors). Answer: (B)

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Question 19: The relationship between a tick and a dog is an example of

• (A) mutualism (B) commensalism (C) parasitism (D) predation

Explanation: The tick feeds on the dog's blood, benefiting from the relationship while harming the dog. This is parasitism (one organism benefits, the other is harmed). Mutualism benefits both. Commensalism benefits one without harming the other. Answer: (C)

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Microorganisms and Disease

Question 20: The vector that transmits malaria is the

• (A) housefly (B) tsetse fly (C) female Anopheles mosquito (D) male Anopheles mosquito

Explanation: Malaria is caused by the Plasmodium parasite, which is transmitted through the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito. Male mosquitoes do not bite (they feed on nectar). The tsetse fly transmits sleeping sickness (trypanosomiasis). Answer: (C)

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How to Score 35+ Out of 40 in JAMB Biology

Strategy 1: Understand, Do Not Just Memorise

Biology has the broadest syllabus in JAMB, and memorising every fact is impossible. Instead, focus on understanding concepts so you can reason through unfamiliar questions.

Example: If you understand that osmosis is the movement of water from a region of higher water concentration to a region of lower water concentration through a semi-permeable membrane, you can answer any osmosis question regardless of how it is framed. If you only memorised a definition without understanding, a question that describes the process without using the word "osmosis" will confuse you.

Strategy 2: Study Diagrams Thoroughly

JAMB loves diagram-based questions. You should be able to identify and label:

• Parts of a cell (plant and animal)
• The human heart (chambers, valves, vessels)
• The nephron
• The human eye and ear
• The flower (for reproduction)
• The alimentary canal
• The nitrogen and carbon cycles
• Food chains and food webs

Study tip: After reading about each organ system, close your book and draw the diagram from memory. Label every part. Check against the textbook. Repeat until you can draw it perfectly.

Strategy 3: Master the "Big Five" Physiology Systems

These five systems generate the most questions every year:

If you know these five systems inside out, you can answer 8-10 questions confidently.

Strategy 4: Learn Genetics Problem-Solving

Genetics questions in JAMB follow a few standard patterns:

1. Monohybrid cross: Given two parents, determine the offspring ratio (use a Punnett square)
2. Sex-linked inheritance: Determine the probability of a trait appearing in sons or daughters
3. Blood group problems: Determine possible blood groups of offspring from parents' blood groups
4. Co-dominance: Recognise that heterozygotes show a blended or intermediate phenotype (e.g., sickle cell trait)

Practice approach: Solve 5 genetic cross problems daily until you can set up a Punnett square in under 30 seconds.

Strategy 5: Know Your Ecology Terminology

Ecology questions often test whether you know the precise meaning of terms:

Strategy 6: Practise With a Timer Every Day

Biology under CBT conditions requires quick recall and confident decision-making. Use SchoolHub's JAMB CBT Practice App daily:

• 40 Biology questions per session
• 20-minute timer matching real exam pressure
• AI-generated questions covering all syllabus areas
• Detailed explanations for every answer

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Topic-by-Topic Study Plan for JAMB Biology

Week 1-2: Cell Biology and Organisation

• Day 1-2: Cell structure (organelles and functions), plant vs. animal cell
• Day 3-4: Cell membrane, diffusion, osmosis, active transport
• Day 5-6: Mitosis and meiosis (stages, differences, significance)
• Day 7-8: Classification (five kingdoms, features of each)
• Day 9-10: Enzymes (properties, factors, lock-and-key model)
• Daily: 1 CBT session on SchoolHub

Week 3-4: Plant Biology

• Day 1-2: Photosynthesis (equation, conditions, factors affecting rate)
• Day 3-4: Transport in plants (transpiration, xylem, phloem, translocation)
• Day 5-6: Plant reproduction (pollination types, fertilisation, seed structure)
• Day 7-8: Germination (conditions, types: epigeal and hypogeal)
• Day 9-10: Plant hormones and tropisms
• Daily: 1 CBT session

Week 5-6: Human Physiology (Part 1)

• Day 1-2: Nutrition (classes of food, food tests, balanced diet)
• Day 3-4: Digestive system (enzymes, organs, digestion process)
• Day 5-6: Circulatory system (heart, blood, blood vessels, blood groups)
• Day 7-8: Respiratory system (lungs, gaseous exchange, aerobic/anaerobic respiration)
• Day 9-10: Excretory system (kidney, nephron, urine formation)
• Daily: 1 CBT session + draw one diagram from memory each day

Week 7-8: Human Physiology (Part 2) + Genetics

• Day 1-2: Nervous system (CNS, reflex arc, sense organs)
• Day 3-4: Endocrine system (hormones, functions, feedback)
• Day 5-6: Reproductive system (male, female, menstrual cycle)
• Day 7-8: Genetics (Mendel's laws, monohybrid cross, Punnett squares)
• Day 9-10: Sex-linked inheritance, blood group genetics, mutations
• Daily: 1 CBT session + 3 genetic cross problems

Week 9-10: Ecology, Microorganisms, and Revision

• Day 1-2: Ecosystem components, food chains, food webs, energy flow
• Day 3-4: Nutrient cycles (carbon, nitrogen, water)
• Day 5-6: Population ecology, succession, conservation
• Day 7-8: Microorganisms, diseases (malaria life cycle, disease transmission)
• Day 9-10: Full mock exams on SchoolHub, review weak areas
• Target: Consistent 32+/40

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Common Biology Mistakes in JAMB (and How to Avoid Them)

1. Confusing Mitosis and Meiosis

Students mix up the number of daughter cells and chromosome behaviour. Fix: Mitosis = 2 identical cells (diploid). Meiosis = 4 different cells (haploid). Meiosis involves crossing over. Mitosis does not.

2. Mixing Up Xylem and Phloem

Xylem transports water upward. Phloem transports food (sucrose) both up and down. Fix: Remember "Xylem = water eXit upward" and "Phloem = Food."

3. Getting Blood Flow Through the Heart Wrong

Students confuse which side receives oxygenated vs. deoxygenated blood. Fix: Right side = receives deoxygenated blood from body, pumps to lungs. Left side = receives oxygenated blood from lungs, pumps to body. "Right receives from the body, Left leaves for the body."

4. Wrong Direction of Osmosis

Students say water moves from "low concentration to high concentration" without specifying what concentration. Fix: Water moves from a region of higher water potential (dilute solution) to a region of lower water potential (concentrated solution). Always specify "water concentration," not just "concentration."

5. Confusing Genotype and Phenotype Ratios

In a monohybrid cross (Aa × Aa), the genotypic ratio is 1:2:1 but the phenotypic ratio is 3:1. Fix: Genotype = genetic makeup (AA, Aa, aa). Phenotype = physical appearance (what you see). With dominance, AA and Aa look the same.

6. Not Knowing the Malaria Life Cycle

JAMB frequently tests the Plasmodium life cycle. Students who skip this lose easy marks. Fix: Memorise: Female Anopheles mosquito bites human, injects sporozoites into blood, parasites travel to liver, multiply, infect red blood cells, cause symptoms, another mosquito bites and picks up gametocytes, cycle continues.

7. Rushing Through Diagram Questions

Students glance at diagrams and guess instead of studying them carefully. Fix: Spend an extra 10-15 seconds on diagram questions. Identify every labelled part before selecting your answer.

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Why SchoolHub Is the Best Platform for JAMB Biology Practice

AI-Generated Biology Questions

Every session presents fresh Biology questions across all syllabus topics. You build genuine understanding rather than memorising a fixed set of past questions.

Covers the Full Syllabus

From cell biology to ecology, from genetics to human physiology, every section of the JAMB Biology syllabus is represented in your practice sessions.

Detailed Explanations

Every question includes an explanation that teaches you the concept, not just the answer. This is how lasting knowledge is built.

Timed Practice for Exam Readiness

40 questions in 20 minutes trains you to read questions quickly, recall information fast, and select answers confidently.

Start Free JAMB Biology Practice on SchoolHub

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many Biology questions are in JAMB?

There are 40 Biology questions in the JAMB UTME, to be answered within approximately 30 minutes as part of the 2-hour exam. Each question carries 2.5 marks, totalling 100 marks.

Is JAMB Biology hard?

JAMB Biology covers the widest syllabus of all science subjects, which makes it challenging if you study selectively. However, the questions are largely based on recall and basic application. Students who cover the full syllabus and practise CBT regularly find it manageable.

What topics are most important for JAMB Biology?

Animal Biology/Human Physiology (25%) and Ecology (20%) together make up nearly half the paper. After these, focus on Cell Biology (15%), Plant Biology (15%), and Genetics (15%). See the full breakdown above.

Do I need to know diagrams for JAMB Biology?

Yes. Expect 5-8 questions based on biological diagrams or structures. You should be able to identify parts of the heart, kidney (nephron), eye, flower, and cell. Practise drawing and labelling these from memory.

How do I solve genetics problems in JAMB?

Set up a Punnett square. Write the parents' genotypes across the top and side. Fill in the boxes to find the offspring genotypes. Count the ratios. For sex-linked traits, remember to use X and Y chromosomes. Practice is the only way to get fast at this.

What is the best app to practise JAMB Biology?

SchoolHub JAMB CBT Practice offers AI-generated Biology questions covering all syllabus topics, timed sessions matching the real exam, and detailed explanations for every answer.

How many hours should I study Biology for JAMB daily?

Study 1.5-2 hours daily: 30-40 minutes reading one topic thoroughly, 20 minutes on a CBT practice session on SchoolHub, 20 minutes reviewing explanations and drawing diagrams, and 20 minutes revising a previous topic.

Are JAMB past questions enough for Biology?

Past questions show you the format and common topics, but they are not sufficient on their own. JAMB Biology covers a very wide syllabus and introduces new question angles every year. Combining past questions with AI-generated practice on SchoolHub gives the most complete preparation.

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Start Practising JAMB Biology Today

Biology is a subject where consistent daily study pays off dramatically. The syllabus is wide, but it is also well-defined. Every topic you cover is one fewer topic that can surprise you on exam day.

Your action plan:

1. Right now: Visit jamb.schoolhub.tech and take a free Biology session
2. Today: Identify which of the 6 syllabus sections you know least about
3. This week: Focus on Human Physiology (the highest-yielding section)
4. This month: Follow the 10-week study plan above
5. Exam day: Walk in knowing every body system, every ecology term, and every genetic cross pattern

Biology is the one subject where covering the full syllabus is both possible and necessary. Start now and leave nothing to chance.

Practice JAMB Biology Free on SchoolHub

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Last Updated: September 2026 Written by the SchoolHub Team