If you are reading this, I guess you're a JUPEBite or actually planning to embark on the JUPEB programme. In my previous post, I provided a guide for registering for JUPEB, so you can check it out if you're new here on FreshNote tutorial.
Now back to business: how do you answer JUPEB exam questions? Everyone is hunting for an 'A,' so how do you go about it? Do you know that someone who used to carry first position in his/her secondary school or someone who scored 300 in JAMB can fail JUPEB?
In fact, someone very brilliant can get disappointed if not properly guided. You may ask why, right? The short answer is: this exam has standards in every aspect. Knowing the answer to a question is not enough, but knowing how to apply or present it to meet JUPEB standards matters.
Let me ask you a simple question: what is a verb? I guess you know what a verb is. Of course, if you write it on your WAEC or NECO exam, you can easily score 10/10. But the same answer pattern, if presented in a JUPEB exam, you will score 2/10.
You will not be marked wrong for just saying "a verb is an action word" or "a telling word." Or "A verb is a word that expresses an action, occurrence, or state of being." As we proceed, I will define a verb using JUPEB exam standards.
Let's go.
If a question starts with this phrase, you are asked to discuss in detail, or analyze in detail as propounded, claimed, assessed, or presented by scholars. For example: "Critically explain biblical criticism" - you're to explain or analyze biblical criticism academically as analyzed by other scholars.
Key Phrases in JUPEB Exam Questions
1. Discuss
You are to give a detailed analysis of a concept. Start with a definition, explain, give points with examples, state strengths/weaknesses, and conclude. "Discuss," "examine," "elucidate," and "explain" carry the same answer format: You're asked to give a detailed analysis or explanation about something.
How to Answer a "Discuss" Question
Part 1. Start with the definition of the concept or term. Here, I am going to use "verb" as an example question: "Discuss the uses of verbs in a sentence."
Example: A verb is one of the major parts of speech. It is an action word that shows what the subject of a sentence does, or the state of being of the subject. A verb is also called a predicate because it expresses the action performed by a noun or pronoun. A sentence is considered incomplete without a verb, since it is a key element in sentence construction.
Examples of verbs include run, eat, write, come (main verbs), and is, are, have (auxiliary/supporting verbs). Verbs therefore play a central role in communication by linking the subject to its action or state of being.
Part 2. Answer the main question: "The uses of verbs."
Part 3. State the strengths and weaknesses of the concept. Using the example above, delve into the uses of verbs, mention each point as a subhead and explain them. Note: JUPEB marks points, and your ability to explain the point gives you full marks.
Part 4. Include the uniqueness, strengths, and features of the concept you were asked to discuss.
Part 5. Conclude your analysis with a short conclusion.
Now you can see, my own definition of verb is very detailed. Don't give mini-skirt definitions. Though nobody would mark you wrong if you say "A verb is an action word" and full stop, you would not score the full mark. In fact, with a short definition you claim just 1 or 2 of the total score marks.
2. Define (what is...?)
You are to give the meaning of a term. In JUPEB, you must not only state the meaning but also explain briefly and give examples.
3. Compare
You are to show both the similarities and differences between two or more things. Compare A & B.
When you're asked to compare A and B, that is, what makes A & B different and what makes them look alike!
4. Differentiate / Distinguish Between or Contrast
You are to bring out the differences only between two concepts, terms, or ideas.
👉 Unlike compare, here you don't need to state similarities.
5. Enumerate
You are to list out the points clearly, usually in numbers or bullet form. Sometimes brief explanations are expected after listing.
6. State
You are to present facts directly and clearly without long explanations.
👉 Example: State three types of verbs.
7. Explain
You are to make the meaning clear, often with details and examples. It is more detailed than "state" but not as broad as "discuss."
8. Examine
You are to look into a concept carefully, describing its features, strengths, weaknesses, or effects. Almost like discuss, but with more analysis.
9. Highlight
You are to mention or point out the main features of something, usually in outline form.
10. Analyze
You are to break a concept into parts, explain each part, and show how they work together.
11. Illustrate
You are to explain a point clearly with examples, diagrams, or practical instances.
12. Justify
You are to give reasons and evidence to defend or prove a statement, argument, or concept.
13. Critically Examine
Here, don't just explain the concept. You must look at it from different angles — the good side (strengths), the bad side (weaknesses), and its implications.
End with your own balanced conclusion.
👉 Example (if the question is "Critically examine the use of social media in education"):
- Define social media.
- Explain how it helps education. That should be something like (access to materials, communication, online classes).
- Explain the negative sides (distractions, exam malpractice, misinformation).
- Conclude by weighing both sides and giving your judgment.
🔑 JUPEB Tip: "Critically" = strengths + weaknesses + conclusion.
14. Scholarly Explain
This means:
- Give a detailed, academic-style explanation of the concept.
- Use formal language, avoid slang.
- Provide examples, theories, or authorities (if applicable).
- Show depth of understanding, not just surface meaning.
👉 Example (if the question is "Scholarly explain the concept of democracy"):
- Define democracy (with authority like Abraham Lincoln's quote if you want). Here you should start the definition thus: "According to Abraham Lincoln, democracy....."
- Explain the features (rule of law, participation, equality, representation).
- Give examples from countries or historical contexts.
- Conclude by showing its importance.
15. Sketch (In Literature)
There is always confusion here. I in particular , if not that I saw this on past questions I was trying to solve, that will have been the beginning of my failure. Not only me, I went to class and ask the same question, behold, the first answer they thought was drawing.
You may be asked to draw something in any other course like math, biology, or physics, but in literature you're not asked to draw but to describe. In literature, a character may be narrating a story about himself or anything. Later, JUPEB might ask you to sketch the narrator. So you're not to draw who the speaker says he is, but to write and describe the speaker based on what he says. For example, if the speaker is talking about himself as giving a sick baby medicine, you can start describing him as a medical doctor (if you're asked to sketch).
👉 JUPEB Tip:
When you see any of these words, your answer must follow the instruction. If you state instead of discuss, you will lose marks even if your points are correct.