UTME 2025 Study Guide for Arts Students

1. Understand the UTME Syllabus for Arts 

One of the first steps to excelling in the UTME is having a thorough understanding of the syllabus. For an Arts student, this means familiarizing yourself with the key topics and subtopics in subjects like Literature-in-English, Government, CRS, and Economics.

The syllabus outlines exactly what the examiners expect you to know, ensuring your preparation remains focused and relevant. 

By studying according to the syllabus, you avoid wasting time on unnecessary material and concentrate on areas that are likely to appear in the exam. 

Carefully review each subject’s content, highlight challenging sections, and create a study plan that aligns with these topics for effective revision.

Below is an organized breakdown of what each section of the art syllabus covers:

SECTION A: Core Art Concepts

1. Classification of Art
Focus areas:

• • Visual Arts (Fine and Applied Arts)
  • Performing Arts (Music, Dance, Drama)
  • Literary Arts (Poetry, Prose, Recitals)

Expected outcome: Differentiate between the three branches of art.

2. Elements and Principles of Design
Focus areas:

• • Elements: Line, color, shape, form, texture, tone, value, space.
  • Principles: Balance, rhythm, proportion, harmony, contrast, repetition, dominance, variety.

Expected outcome: Identify design elements and principles, analyze artworks using design principles.

3. Art Terms
Focus areas:

• • Common terms: Pigments, motif, greenware, armature, silhouette, chiaroscuro, cire perdue, terra-cotta.

Expected outcome: Identify and use art terms appropriately, relate terms to specific art forms.

SECTION B: Historical and Traditional Art

1. Historical Dimensions of Art
   Focus areas:
   • Art periods: Prehistoric, Greek, Roman, Medieval, Renaissance, 19th & 20th-century movements (Impressionism, Realism, Cubism, etc.).
   • Key artists: Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Giotto, Raphael.

Expected outcome: Explore the evolution of art across different eras, analyze the unique styles, materials, and techniques that define each period, and develop your ability to distinguish between various art movements.

2. Traditional African Art
Focus areas:

• • Regions: Egypt, Ashanti, Dogon, Mossi, Senufo, etc.

Expected outcome: Categorize works based on style, material, and location.

3. Traditional Nigerian Art
Focus areas:

• • Cultures: Nok, Igbo-Ukwu, Ife, Benin, Esie, Jukun, Akwashi, Mbari.

Expected outcome: Analyze traditional art in terms of function, characteristics, and location.

4. Nigerian Crafts
Focus areas:

• • Crafts: Pottery, woodworks, cloth-weaving, carving, beadwork, leatherwork, metalwork, mat weaving.

Expected outcome: Trace origins and styles of Nigerian crafts.

5. Development in Contemporary Nigerian Arts
Focus areas:

• • Art schools (Zaria, Nsukka, Osogbo), key artists (Aina Onabolu, Ben Enwonwu), museums, galleries, and art institutions.
  • Major cultural festivals: Argungu Fishing Festival, Eyo, Egungun, Durbar.

Expected outcome: Assess the impact of schools, artists, and festivals on Nigerian art and evaluate the roles of art institutions and organizations.

SECTION C: Artistic Skills and Tools

1. Artistic Skills, Techniques, and Processes
   Focus areas:
   • Two-dimensional art (drawing, painting, textile design), sculpture, ceramics, computer graphics.
   • Perspective types: linear, angular, aerial.

Expected outcome: Demonstrate skills in drawing, painting, and design, apply perspective techniques in artworks.

2. Tools, Materials, and Equipment
Focus areas:

• • Two-dimensional tools: Brushes, pens, sharpeners.
  • Materials: Pencils, charcoal, pastel, dyes.
  • Equipment: Compressors, spray guns, enlargers.

Expected outcome: Maintain and use art tools effectively, learn to improvise tools and materials where necessary.

SECTION D: Art Appreciation and Entrepreneurship

1. Art Appreciation
   Focus areas:
   • Man-made and natural aesthetic phenomena (architecture, sculpture, Zuma Rock, Ikogosi Warm Springs).

Expected outcome: Differentiate between natural and man-made aesthetics, note the appreciated aesthetic qualities of Nigerian art.

2. Meaning and Functions of Art in Society
Focus areas:

• • Functions of art: Religious, cultural, political, economic, and media roles.

Expected outcome: Examine the societal role of art, assess art’s impact on education, recreation, and media.

3. Art Entrepreneurship
Focus areas:

• • Job prospects: Ceramist, sculptor, curator, textile designer, photographer, cartoonist.

Expected outcome: Identify various job opportunities in visual arts.

2. Identify Key Subjects and Topics  

To excel in the UTME as an Arts student, you must first identify the key subjects and topics that are great for success. 

The primary subjects include Literature-in-English, Government, Christian Religious Studies (CRS), Economics, and Fine Arts for those with an artistic focus. 

Each subject has core areas that demand special attention:

• Literature-in-English: Focus on prose, poetry, and drama, particularly the prescribed texts. Pay attention to literary devices, themes, and character analysis.
• Government: Cover political ideologies, constitutional development, structures of government, and Nigeria’s political history.
• Christian Religious Studies (CRS): Study biblical themes, doctrines, and moral teachings from both the Old and New Testaments.
• Economics: Master key concepts such as demand and supply, production, national income, and the Nigerian economy.
• Fine Arts: Review art techniques, history, and appreciation, ensuring you grasp fundamental artistic skills and terminologies.

Identifying these critical subjects and focusing on their essential topics, you streamline your preparation, making your study sessions more productive and goal-oriented.

3. Create a Realistic Study Schedule  

As an Arts student, balancing multiple subjects with diverse content can be overwhelming, so creating a realistic timetable is essential. 

Start by assessing your strengths and weaknesses in each subject and allocate more time to topics you find challenging. 

Divide your day into manageable study sessions, ensuring you include breaks to avoid burnout.

You can also: 

• Prioritize core subjects like Literature-in-English and Government, as they often carry significant weight in your overall score.
• Set daily and weekly goals for each subject, focusing on completing specific topics within a given timeframe.
• Incorporate regular revision sessions to reinforce what you’ve learned and identify areas needing further clarification.
• Include time for practice with past questions and mock exams to build your confidence and improve your speed.

Sticking to a consistent, achievable study routine can help you stay organized, reduce stress, and steadily improve your performance as exam day approaches.

4. Use Recommended Textbooks and Resources  

Choosing the right textbooks and resources can make a significant difference in how well you prepare for the UTME. 

Relying solely on random materials may leave gaps in your knowledge. 

Therefore, using JAMB-recommended textbooks ensures that you’re studying the right content, presented in line with the syllabus.

The following are recommended textbooks for each subject to guide your UTME preparation as an arts student:

1. Literature-in-English

• Exam Focus: Literature-in-English by JAMB
• The Complete Guide to Literature-in-English by U.E. Uwakwe
• Prescribed texts for poetry, prose, and drama (Ensure you have the current JAMB-recommended texts)

2. Government

• Essential Government for Senior Secondary Schools by O. A. Iwena
• Comprehensive Government by G.C. Ezeh
• JAMB Government Past Questions and Answers

3. Christian Religious Studies (CRS)

• Christian Religious Knowledge for WASSCE & JAMB by A. Olumuyiwa
• The Bible and the Christian Faith by Nduka Okafor
• Bible passages (Revised Standard Version or New International Version)

4. Economics

• Comprehensive Economics by A. O. Lawal
• Essential Economics for Senior Secondary Schools by C.E. Ande
• JAMB Economics Past Questions and Answers

5. Fine Arts

• Understanding Art: A Handbook of Art Theory by T. S. Popoola
• Creative Arts Made Easy by I. O. Eguavoen
• JAMB Fine Arts Syllabus Guide

These textbooks align with JAMB’s syllabus and provide the depth of knowledge you need to excel. 

5. Practice Past Questions Regularly  

Regular practice with past questions is one of the most effective ways to prepare for the UTME. 

It helps you understand the exam pattern, identify commonly tested topics, and improve your speed and accuracy. 

By solving past questions, you get a sense of the type of questions JAMB tends to repeat and develop strategies for tackling difficult ones.

Aim to practice under timed conditions to simulate the real exam environment, which can  help you manage your time better on the actual exam day.

Consistent practice not only boosts your confidence but also highlights areas where you need further study, ensuring a well-rounded preparation.

6. Join Study Groups or Online Forums  

Studying alone can sometimes be limiting, which is why joining study groups or online forums can enhance your preparation for the UTME. 

Interacting with peers allows you to exchange ideas, clarify difficult topics, and gain new insights into different subjects. 

Study groups encourage discussion, making it easier to retain information and understand complex concepts. 

Online forums, on the other hand, connect you with a broader community of learners and experienced tutors who can offer valuable advice and resources. 

Participating in these platforms keeps you motivated and accountable, ensuring you stay on track with your study goals.

7. Focus on Time Management During Practice  

Since each section of the exam has a limited time frame, you need to develop the skill of answering questions quickly and accurately.

When practicing, set a timer to simulate the actual exam conditions and aim to complete each subject within the allocated time. 

Learn to allocate more time to challenging questions without spending too long on any single one. 

Focus on improving your speed in sections where you’re naturally slower and review your answers critically to understand mistakes. 

8. Take Mock Tests to Track Progress  

Mock tests are essential for measuring your readiness and identifying areas that need improvement. 

Taking regular mock tests simulates the real UTME environment, helping you build exam-day confidence and practice effective time management. 

Use these tests to assess how well you’ve mastered key topics and pinpoint specific weak areas requiring extra attention. 

After each test, thoroughly review your answers, both correct and incorrect, to understand your mistakes and reinforce your knowledge. Consistent mock testing not only helps track your progress but also enhances your ability to stay focused and perform under timed conditions.