Choosing Medicine and Surgery is not just about picking a course—it’s about answering a call to serve humanity at the highest level. In a country like Nigeria, where healthcare challenges are real and urgent, the need for skilled, compassionate, and committed medical professionals has never been greater. If you’ve decided to apply for Medicine and Surgery this year, then it is important to select the correct JAMB Subject Combination for Medicine and Surgery.
Before the white coat and stethoscope, before medical school and clinical rotations, there is one crucial gate you must pass through—the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). Your success in JAMB begins with making the right subject combination.
This blog post is your step-by-step guide to choosing the right subject combination for Medicine and Surgery, avoiding common mistakes, and setting yourself up for success in one of the most competitive and respected fields in the world. Let’s break it all down below.
JAMB Subject Combination for Medicine and Surgery 2026
For JAMB UTME, you must choose the four compulsory subjects which are as follows:
- Use of English
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
This combination is the standard requirement listed across all universities offering Medicine and Surgery, as well as the official JAMB brochure.
O’Level Requirements for Medicine and Surgery
Besides JAMB subjects, your WAEC or NECO should include:
- English Language
- Mathematics (many universities prefer this currently)
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
Make sure to pass with at least credit for all in one sitting if you can—it impresses universities more and avoids eligibility issues.
Have There Been Any Changes for 2026 JAMB?
Not much has changed. The four-subject combo remains consistent. But here’s what to watch:
- Some universities allow Mathematics instead of Physics at O’Level, although JAMB still tests Physics.
- Many schools now require all five O’Level credits (including English & Maths) in one sitting, not spread across several.
Tips to Prepare Well As A Medical Aspirant
Here are some tips for you as a medical aspirant in Nigeria:
- Start early with your UTME preparation – The subjects are heavy and interlinked.
- Double down on Biology and Chemistry – they form the core of most questions.
- Time yourself during mock exams – develop speed and accuracy.
- Review O’Level results well before JAMB – don’t risk missing Maths or Physics credits.
- Stay updated – occasionally, universities tweak their requirements slightly; check their admission pages.
- Practice problem-solving – Physics and Chemistry questions often test your thinking, not just recall.
Conclusion
Becoming a medical doctor is a noble, challenging, and life-changing journey. You’ve already taken your first crucial step by getting your subject combination right—English, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Now, it’s time to build on that: study hard, stay focused, and aim high. Every early morning study session, every practice question, and every credit in your results brings you closer to that white coat.
Stay dedicated, keep your eyes on the goal, and remember: with passion, discipline, and smart preparation, you will become a medical doctor. Your hard work now is saving lives tomorrow—and that’s a powerful legacy.