With just a few days left until the 2024 JAMB chemistry exam, you might be looking for some last-minute reading or review. If you don’t have time to complete the entire syllabus, these are 15 topics that are highly repeated based on our analysis of previous exams. Focus on understanding these key topics and success is assured.

15 Topics to Expect in 2024 JAMB Chemistry Exam

1. Compound and Mixture

Understand the key differences between compounds and mixtures, including their characteristics, the principles of pure and impure chemicals, as well as separation procedures (for example, fractional distillation and evaporation to dryness). Aside from the fact that this topic has many repeated questions, the knowledge will also assist you when asked questions from other topics such as fruit oil distillation and salt separation.

2. Nature of Matter and Basic Stoichiometry

This topic covers basic concepts such as atoms, molecules, ions, and compounds, and their differences. Ensure you have a sound knowledge of stoichiometry, including calculating relative atomic and molecular mass, empirical and molecular formulas, and percentage by mass. These concepts will come in handy when you are asked to balance chemical equations and other areas like electrolysis and quantitative analysis.

3. Atomic Structure and Chemical Bonding

Study the structure of atoms, including protons, neutrons, and electrons, as well as the proton number (atomic number) and electronic configuration. You’ll need this knowledge to solve questions involving chemical behaviour and reactions. In addition, read about the many types of chemical bonding, such as ionic and covalent bonds, and how they develop.

4. Gas Laws and Kinetic Theory of Matter

Start by studying how boiling, evaporation, and melting occur at the molecular level. Also, learn the basic gas laws (Boyle’s, Charles’, and Dalton’s laws) and the general gas equation. You’ll be asked to tackle problems concerning gas behaviour at changing temperatures and pressures, and your knowledge of gas laws will help you solve them. 

5. Acid, Base, and Salt

Learn the different types of acids (strong and weak), bases, and salts, along with their characteristics and interactions. Understand neutralisation reactions, pH calculations, and how to employ indicators like litmus paper. Also read up on the several forms of salts, including acid salts, as well as topics like salt hydrolysis and water crystallisation.

6. Periodic Table and Periodicity

Understand the structure and layout of the periodic table, including groups, periods, different blocks of the periodic table (s, p, d, f), and their properties. Additionally, make sure to study periodic trends such as electronegativity, ionization energy, and atomic size. 

7. Nuclear Chemistry

Even though this topic is easy to understand, it involves sub-topics such as radioactivity, isotopes, and nuclear reactions. 

8. Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis

Quantitative analysis focuses on stoichiometry and concentration calculations, while qualitative analysis includes identifying properties of elements and their compounds (e.g., odours, colour changes). Understanding this topic can help you answer different questions on metals and non-metals.

9. Air and Air Pollution

Learn the composition of air and types of pollutants, along with their sources and effects on the environment and human health. Study how to reduce air pollution through various methods.

10. Water and Water Pollution

Master the differences between hard and soft water, and their advantages and disadvantages. Learn about true solutions, colloids, and suspensions, and calculate solubility. 

11. Oxidation and Reduction

Study redox reactions that involve electron transfer, the addition of oxygen, and the elimination of hydrogen or electronegative aspects. Learn how to calculate oxidation numbers and states, as well as the differences between oxidising and reducing agents.

12. Electrolysis

Learn basic concepts in electrolysis such as ionic theory and preferred ion discharge. Also, ensure you understand the many types of electrolytes, electrodes, and how to use the electrochemical series to predict ion discharge.

13. Non-Metals

This topic covers the general properties of nonmetals, such as carbon, oxygen, sulphur, and halogens. Make sure you fully understand their specific features and the chemicals they produce. 

14. Metals

Learn the general properties of metals and their different groups. Study the sources of metals (e.g., ores) and the chemical formulas of those ores. Then, familiarize yourself with different alloys and their uses.

15. Organic Chemistry

Organic chemistry covers a wide range of subjects, including hydrocarbons, functional groups, and IUPAC nomenclature. Concentrate on important functional groups such as alkenes, alkynes, alcohols, and carboxylic acids. Also, read about saponification, esterification, homologous series, and alkyl groups.

It is highly recommended that you practice questions from these topics through a JAMB CBT app so that you not only solidify your understanding but also get familiar with the CBT environment and work on your time management skills. The Edubaloo 2024 JAMB CBT app for Android and Edubaloo 2024 JAMB CBT app for iOS help you do just that.