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

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

Introduction: Why Physics Separates High Scorers From Average Candidates

Physics is a required subject for every JAMB candidate applying for Engineering, Medicine, Pharmacy, Architecture, Computer Science, and most science-related courses. It is also one of the subjects where the gap between prepared and unprepared students is widest.

The reason is simple. Physics is not a subject you can cram. Every question requires you to understand a concept, identify the right formula, substitute values correctly, and calculate the answer, all within 45 seconds on a CBT screen. Students who have not practised this process repeatedly under timed conditions almost always underperform.

The good news is that JAMB Physics follows a predictable syllabus. The same topics appear year after year. The same types of calculations come up in every sitting. If you study the right topics, memorise the right formulas, and practise enough JAMB CBT Physics questions, scoring 30+ out of 40 is realistic for any serious candidate.

This guide gives you everything you need: the complete syllabus breakdown, 20 practice questions with worked solutions, essential formulas, scoring strategies, and a study plan.

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

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JAMB Physics at a Glance

Key fact: Unlike English where you can reason through answers, Physics questions almost always require a specific formula and a calculation. If you do not know the formula, you cannot answer the question. Formula memorisation is non-negotiable.

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Complete JAMB Physics Syllabus Breakdown

The JAMB Physics syllabus covers six major areas. Here is how they are weighted based on past exam analysis:

1. Mechanics (Approximately 30% of questions)

This is the largest and most important section.

Topics covered:

• Scalars and vectors (addition, resolution of forces)
• Speed, velocity, and acceleration
• Equations of motion (v = u + at, s = ut + ½at², v² = u² + 2as)
• Newton's laws of motion
• Projectile motion
• Equilibrium of forces (moments, conditions for equilibrium)
• Work, energy, and power (kinetic energy, potential energy, conservation of energy)
• Linear momentum and impulse (conservation of momentum, collisions)
• Simple machines (mechanical advantage, velocity ratio, efficiency)
• Circular motion (centripetal force and acceleration)
• Gravitational field (gravitational force, escape velocity, satellites)
• Simple harmonic motion (period, frequency, displacement, velocity)
• Elasticity (Hooke's law, Young's modulus, stress, strain)
• Pressure in fluids (Archimedes' principle, Bernoulli's principle)

Why it matters: Mechanics accounts for roughly 12 of your 40 questions. A student who masters Mechanics has already secured 30% of the paper.

2. Heat and Thermodynamics (Approximately 15% of questions)

Topics covered:

• Temperature and thermometers (scales, conversion)
• Heat capacity and specific heat capacity (Q = mcΔθ)
• Latent heat (specific latent heat of fusion and vaporisation)
• Thermal expansion (linear, area, volume)
• Gas laws (Boyle's, Charles', pressure law, general gas equation)
• Heat transfer (conduction, convection, radiation)
• Vapour pressure and humidity
• First and second laws of thermodynamics

3. Waves and Sound (Approximately 15% of questions)

Topics covered:

• Properties of waves (reflection, refraction, diffraction, interference, polarisation)
• Types of waves (transverse, longitudinal, mechanical, electromagnetic)
• Wave equation (v = fλ)
• Superposition and stationary waves
• Sound waves (speed, frequency, pitch, loudness, echoes)
• Resonance in pipes and strings
• Doppler effect
• Musical instruments and harmonics

4. Light and Optics (Approximately 15% of questions)

Topics covered:

• Reflection of light (plane mirrors, laws of reflection)
• Refraction of light (Snell's law, critical angle, total internal reflection)
• Lenses (converging, diverging, lens formula: 1/f = 1/u + 1/v)
• Mirror formula
• Dispersion of light and the electromagnetic spectrum
• Optical instruments (microscope, telescope, camera, the eye)
• Defects of vision (short-sight, long-sight, corrections)
• Interference and diffraction of light

5. Electricity and Magnetism (Approximately 20% of questions)

Topics covered:

• Electrostatics (Coulomb's law, electric field, potential)
• Capacitance (capacitors in series and parallel, energy stored)
• Current electricity (Ohm's law, resistance, resistivity)
• Resistors in series and parallel
• Electrical energy and power (P = IV = I²R = V²/R)
• Kirchhoff's laws
• Electromagnetic induction (Faraday's law, Lenz's law)
• Transformers (step-up, step-down, turns ratio)
• A.C. circuits (RMS values, impedance)
• Magnetic fields (force on a current-carrying conductor, force on a moving charge)

Why it matters: Electricity questions are the second-largest block after Mechanics. Many are calculation-heavy, so knowing the formulas precisely is critical.

6. Modern Physics (Approximately 5% of questions)

Topics covered:

• Atomic structure (Rutherford, Bohr models)
• Radioactivity (alpha, beta, gamma radiation; half-life)
• Nuclear reactions (fission, fusion)
• Photoelectric effect (Einstein's equation: E = hf - W)
• X-rays
• Energy quantisation

Why it matters: Only 2-3 questions, but they are often straightforward if you know the basic concepts. Free marks for prepared candidates.

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20 JAMB Physics Practice Questions With Solutions

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

Mechanics

Question 1: A car starts from rest and accelerates uniformly at 5m/s² for 8 seconds. What distance does it cover?

• (A) 40m (B) 80m (C) 160m (D) 200m

Solution: u = 0, a = 5m/s², t = 8s. Using s = ut + ½at² = 0 + ½(5)(64) = 160m. Answer: (C)

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Question 2: A body of mass 4kg moving at 6m/s collides with a stationary body of mass 2kg. If they stick together after collision, find their common velocity.

• (A) 2m/s (B) 3m/s (C) 4m/s (D) 6m/s

Solution: Conservation of momentum: m₁u₁ + m₂u₂ = (m₁ + m₂)v. 4(6) + 2(0) = (4 + 2)v. 24 = 6v. v = 4m/s. Answer: (C)

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Question 3: A force of 20N acts on a body of mass 5kg initially at rest. Find the velocity after 4 seconds.

• (A) 4m/s (B) 8m/s (C) 16m/s (D) 20m/s

Solution: F = ma, so a = F/m = 20/5 = 4m/s². v = u + at = 0 + 4(4) = 16m/s. Answer: (C)

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Question 4: A ball is thrown vertically upward with a velocity of 30m/s. Find the maximum height reached. (g = 10m/s²)

• (A) 30m (B) 45m (C) 60m (D) 90m

Solution: At maximum height, v = 0. Using v² = u² - 2gs: 0 = 900 - 2(10)s. s = 900/20 = 45m. Answer: (B)

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Question 5: A body of mass 2kg has kinetic energy 100J. What is its velocity?

• (A) 5m/s (B) 10m/s (C) 50m/s (D) 100m/s

Solution: KE = ½mv². 100 = ½(2)v². v² = 100. v = 10m/s. Answer: (B)

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Question 6: A spring of force constant 500N/m is compressed by 0.2m. Calculate the energy stored in the spring.

• (A) 5J (B) 10J (C) 50J (D) 100J

Solution: E = ½ke² = ½(500)(0.2)² = ½(500)(0.04) = 10J. Answer: (B)

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Heat and Thermodynamics

Question 7: How much heat is required to raise the temperature of 2kg of water from 25°C to 75°C? (Specific heat capacity of water = 4200J/kg°C)

• (A) 210,000J (B) 420,000J (C) 630,000J (D) 840,000J

Solution: Q = mcΔθ = 2 × 4200 × (75 - 25) = 2 × 4200 × 50 = 420,000J. Answer: (B)

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Question 8: A gas occupies 500cm³ at 27°C and 1 atmosphere. What is its volume at 127°C at the same pressure?

• (A) 567cm³ (B) 600cm³ (C) 667cm³ (D) 750cm³

Solution: Using Charles' law: V₁/T₁ = V₂/T₂. Convert to Kelvin: T₁ = 300K, T₂ = 400K. 500/300 = V₂/400. V₂ = 500 × 400/300 = 667cm³. Answer: (C)

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Question 9: Calculate the amount of heat required to convert 0.5kg of ice at 0°C to water at 0°C. (Specific latent heat of fusion = 3.36 × 10⁵ J/kg)

• (A) 84,000J (B) 168,000J (C) 336,000J (D) 672,000J

Solution: Q = mL = 0.5 × 3.36 × 10⁵ = 168,000J. Answer: (B)

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Waves and Sound

Question 10: A wave has a frequency of 200Hz and a wavelength of 1.5m. Calculate its speed.

• (A) 133m/s (B) 200m/s (C) 300m/s (D) 400m/s

Solution: v = fλ = 200 × 1.5 = 300m/s. Answer: (C)

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Question 11: A vibrating string has a fundamental frequency of 250Hz. What is the frequency of the third harmonic?

• (A) 500Hz (B) 750Hz (C) 1000Hz (D) 250Hz

Solution: The nth harmonic = n × fundamental frequency. Third harmonic = 3 × 250 = 750Hz. Answer: (B)

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Question 12: The speed of sound in air is 340m/s. If a man claps his hands and hears the echo from a cliff after 4 seconds, how far is he from the cliff?

• (A) 340m (B) 680m (C) 1360m (D) 170m

Solution: Total distance = speed × time = 340 × 4 = 1360m. This is the return trip, so distance to cliff = 1360/2 = 680m. Answer: (B)

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Light and Optics

Question 13: The refractive index of glass is 1.5. Find the critical angle for glass-air boundary.

• (A) 41.8° (B) 48.6° (C) 30.0° (D) 60.0°

Solution: sin c = 1/n = 1/1.5 = 0.6667. c = sin⁻¹(0.6667) = 41.8°. Answer: (A)

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Question 14: An object is placed 30cm from a converging lens of focal length 20cm. Find the image distance.

• (A) 12cm (B) 60cm (C) 10cm (D) 15cm

Solution: Using 1/f = 1/u + 1/v: 1/20 = 1/30 + 1/v. 1/v = 1/20 - 1/30 = (3 - 2)/60 = 1/60. v = 60cm. Answer: (B)

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Electricity and Magnetism

Question 15: Three resistors of 2Ω, 3Ω, and 6Ω are connected in parallel. Find the effective resistance.

• (A) 0.5Ω (B) 1Ω (C) 2Ω (D) 11Ω

Solution: 1/R = 1/2 + 1/3 + 1/6 = 3/6 + 2/6 + 1/6 = 6/6 = 1. R = 1Ω. Answer: (B)

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Question 16: A current of 3A flows through a resistor of 4Ω for 5 minutes. Calculate the heat dissipated.

• (A) 60J (B) 3,600J (C) 10,800J (D) 180J

Solution: H = I²Rt = (3)²(4)(5 × 60) = 9 × 4 × 300 = 10,800J. Answer: (C)

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Question 17: A transformer has 200 turns in the primary coil and 1000 turns in the secondary coil. If the primary voltage is 240V, find the secondary voltage.

• (A) 48V (B) 120V (C) 480V (D) 1200V

Solution: Vₛ/Vₚ = Nₛ/Nₚ. Vₛ/240 = 1000/200 = 5. Vₛ = 240 × 5 = 1200V. Answer: (D)

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Question 18: Two capacitors of 4μF and 6μF are connected in series. Find the effective capacitance.

• (A) 2.4μF (B) 10μF (C) 1.5μF (D) 5μF

Solution: 1/C = 1/4 + 1/6 = 3/12 + 2/12 = 5/12. C = 12/5 = 2.4μF. Answer: (A)

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Modern Physics

Question 19: A radioactive substance has a half-life of 4 days. If the initial mass is 80g, what mass remains after 12 days?

• (A) 5g (B) 10g (C) 20g (D) 40g

Solution: Number of half-lives = 12/4 = 3. Remaining mass = 80 × (½)³ = 80 × 1/8 = 10g. Answer: (B)

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Question 20: The work function of a metal is 3.0eV. If light of energy 5.0eV falls on the metal, find the maximum kinetic energy of the emitted photoelectrons.

• (A) 1.0eV (B) 2.0eV (C) 3.0eV (D) 8.0eV

Solution: Using Einstein's photoelectric equation: KE = E - W = 5.0 - 3.0 = 2.0eV. Answer: (B)

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Essential Physics Formulas You Must Memorise

No calculator is allowed in JAMB. These formulas must be committed to memory.

Mechanics

Heat

Waves and Optics

Electricity

Modern Physics

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How to Score 35+ Out of 40 in JAMB Physics

Strategy 1: Prioritise by Topic Weight

Do not give equal study time to all topics. Allocate time proportional to how many questions each topic generates:

Strategy 2: Solve Problems, Do Not Just Read

Physics is not a reading subject. For every hour of study:

• 15 minutes: Read the theory and understand the concept
• 45 minutes: Solve problems using that concept

Students who spend 80% of their time reading and 20% solving get lower scores than those who reverse that ratio.

Strategy 3: Master Unit Conversions

Many JAMB Physics questions give values in non-standard units to catch careless students:

Common trap: A question gives velocity in km/h and distance in metres. If you do not convert, your answer will be wrong even though your method is correct.

Strategy 4: Use Dimensional Analysis When Stuck

If you forget a formula, check which combination of the given values produces the correct unit for the answer:

Example: A question asks for energy (Joules). You are given mass (kg) and velocity (m/s). Which formula gives kg × (m/s)²? That is ½mv². This technique can rescue you when memory fails.

Strategy 5: Practise CBT Daily

Physics under time pressure is a different skill from physics in a textbook. Use SchoolHub's JAMB CBT Practice App daily:

• 40 Physics questions per session
• 20-minute timer
• AI-generated questions (fresh every session)
• Detailed explanations showing the formula, substitution, and calculation steps

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Topic-by-Topic Study Plan for JAMB Physics

Week 1-2: Mechanics (Part 1)

• Day 1-2: Scalars and vectors, speed, velocity, acceleration
• Day 3-4: Equations of motion and projectile motion
• Day 5-6: Newton's laws, force, and equilibrium
• Day 7-8: Work, energy, and power
• Day 9-10: Momentum, impulse, and collisions
• Daily: 1 CBT session on SchoolHub + review explanations

Week 3-4: Mechanics (Part 2) + Heat

• Day 1-2: Simple machines, circular motion
• Day 3-4: SHM, elasticity (Hooke's law)
• Day 5-6: Pressure in fluids, Archimedes' principle
• Day 7-8: Heat capacity, latent heat, thermal expansion
• Day 9-10: Gas laws and heat transfer
• Daily: 1 CBT session + solve 5 past questions on each topic

Week 5-6: Waves, Sound, and Light

• Day 1-2: Wave properties (reflection, refraction, diffraction, interference)
• Day 3-4: Wave equation, sound waves, echoes
• Day 5-6: Stationary waves, resonance, Doppler effect
• Day 7-8: Reflection and refraction of light, Snell's law
• Day 9-10: Lenses, mirrors, optical instruments
• Daily: 1 CBT session

Week 7-8: Electricity and Magnetism

• Day 1-2: Electrostatics (Coulomb's law, electric field)
• Day 3-4: Capacitance (series, parallel, energy stored)
• Day 5-6: Current electricity (Ohm's law, resistors, circuits)
• Day 7-8: Electrical energy and power, Kirchhoff's laws
• Day 9-10: Electromagnetic induction, transformers, A.C. circuits
• Daily: 1 CBT session

Week 9-10: Modern Physics + Full Revision

• Day 1-3: Atomic structure, radioactivity, half-life, nuclear reactions
• Day 4-5: Photoelectric effect, X-rays, energy quantisation
• Day 6-10: Full mock exams daily on SchoolHub, review all weak topics
• Target: Consistent 32+/40

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

1. Forgetting to Convert Units

A question gives speed in km/h but asks for distance in metres. Fix: Convert all values to SI units (m, kg, s, A, K) before substituting into any formula.

2. Using the Wrong Equation of Motion

Students grab the first formula that comes to mind instead of choosing the one that fits the given values. Fix: List what you know (u, v, a, s, t). Identify which one is missing. Choose the equation that does not contain the missing variable.

3. Sign Errors With Direction

Upward motion against gravity: g is negative. Deceleration: a is negative. Fix: Choose a positive direction at the start of each problem and be consistent.

4. Confusing Series and Parallel Rules

Resistors in series add directly (R = R₁ + R₂). Capacitors in series add reciprocally (1/C = 1/C₁ + 1/C₂). The rules are opposite for parallel connections. Fix: Remember this: resistors and capacitors follow opposite rules. Write it at the top of your rough paper on exam day.

5. Not Converting Celsius to Kelvin for Gas Laws

Gas law calculations require absolute temperature (Kelvin). Fix: Always add 273 to Celsius before substituting into PV/T equations.

6. Confusing Half-Life Calculations

Students divide the mass by 2 once instead of applying the correct number of half-lives. Fix: Use the formula N = N₀(½)^n where n = total time / half-life. Count the number of half-lives first.

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Why SchoolHub Is the Best Platform for JAMB Physics Practice

AI-Generated Physics Questions

Every session presents fresh Physics questions across all syllabus topics. Unlike PDF past questions where you eventually memorise the answers, SchoolHub ensures you are always solving new problems.

Formula Application Training

Physics is about applying formulas correctly. SchoolHub's explanations show the formula, the substitution step, and the calculation, training you to follow the same process on exam day.

Timed Sessions That Build Speed

With 45 seconds per question, you need to identify the formula and calculate quickly. SchoolHub's 20-minute timer builds this speed through repetition.

All Topics Covered

From Mechanics to Modern Physics, every section of the JAMB Physics syllabus is represented.

Start Free JAMB Physics Practice on SchoolHub

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many Physics questions are in JAMB?

There are 40 Physics 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 Physics difficult?

JAMB Physics is challenging because it requires both conceptual understanding and fast calculation without a calculator. However, the syllabus is fixed and predictable. Students who master the formulas and practise regularly find the questions manageable.

What topics should I focus on for JAMB Physics?

Prioritise Mechanics (30% of questions) and Electricity and Magnetism (20% of questions). Together they make up half the paper. After that, give equal attention to Heat, Waves, and Optics.

Can I use a calculator in JAMB Physics?

No. Calculators are not allowed. You must perform all calculations manually. This is why memorising formulas, standard values (g = 10m/s², speed of sound = 340m/s, speed of light = 3 × 10⁸ m/s), and unit conversions is essential.

How do I memorise Physics formulas for JAMB?

Do not memorise formulas in isolation. For each formula, solve 10 problems using it. Active application builds memory far more effectively than passive reading. Use the formula table in this article as your reference list.

What is the best app to practise JAMB Physics?

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

How many hours should I study Physics for JAMB daily?

Study 1.5-2 hours daily: 20 minutes reading theory on one topic, 40 minutes solving problems on that topic, 20 minutes on a CBT practice session on SchoolHub, and 20 minutes reviewing explanations.

Are JAMB past questions enough for Physics?

Past questions are essential for understanding question patterns, but they are not enough alone. JAMB introduces new question variations every year. Combining past questions with AI-generated practice on SchoolHub gives you the best preparation.

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Start Practising JAMB Physics Today

Physics rewards preparation more than any other JAMB subject. Every formula you memorise, every problem you solve, and every CBT session you complete adds directly to your exam score.

Your action plan:

1. Right now: Visit jamb.schoolhub.tech and take a free Physics session
2. Today: Print out the formula table from this article and start memorising
3. This week: Complete one CBT session daily, focusing on Mechanics
4. This month: Follow the 10-week study plan above
5. Exam day: Walk in knowing every formula and every question type

The candidates who score 35+/40 in JAMB Physics are not geniuses. They are students who solved enough problems to make Physics automatic.

Practice JAMB Physics Free on SchoolHub

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Last Updated: September 2026 Written by the SchoolHub Team