JAMB Past Questions

JAMB Economics 2024
Questions & Answers

40 questions · Correct answers highlighted · 40 with explanations

40 Total Questions
2024 Exam Year
40 With Explanations
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1
Question 1 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2024

The upstream sector of Nigeria’s petroleum industry primarily involves

A. refining petroleum products
B. exploration and extraction of crude oil
C. marketing of fuel
D. distribution of refined products
Explanation

A student might mistakenly select refining or marketing options by confusing downstream operations with the initial stages of the petroleum industry. The upstream sector focuses specifically on crude oil exploration and extraction. Common mistake: confusing the upstream extraction phase with downstream refining and distribution.

2
Question 2 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2024

The main objective of economic planning in Nigeria is to

A. increase government revenue
B. achieve balanced economic growth
C. stabilize foreign exchange rates
D. reduce agricultural output
Explanation

A student might mistakenly choose option A or C by focusing on short-term monetary metrics rather than holistic development goals. Economic planning aims to promote balanced growth across sectors to enhance development and reduce disparities. Common mistake: assuming that maximizing immediate government revenue is the primary goal of national economic planning.

3
Question 3 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2024

A major disadvantage of a socialist economy is the

A. corruption that is rampant
B. consumer's sovereignty is lost
C. income inequality is entrenched
D. there is high level of unemployment
Explanation

A student might mistakenly choose options involving corruption or unemployment, assuming they are exclusive to socialism, or overlook the restriction of consumer freedom. Socialist economies limit consumer choice, reducing sovereignty since the state dictates production priorities. Common mistake: confusing general economic challenges like unemployment with the specific structural loss of consumer sovereignty in socialism.

4
Question 4 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2024

A tariff is a tax imposed on

A. domestic goods
B. exported goods
C. imported goods
D. all goods
Explanation

A student might mistakenly choose exported goods by confusing tariffs with export duties or subsidies. A tariff is a tax imposed on imported goods to protect domestic industries or raise revenue. Common mistake: confusing import tariffs with taxes levied on exported commodities.

5
Question 5 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2024

The sign of the slope of a graph in economic analysis is important because it

A. shows whether a good is normal or inferior
B. shows the relationship between variables
C. reveals the magnitude of the change
D. helps to determine the unit of measurement of variables
Explanation

A student might mistakenly select option A or D, believing that slope determines specific product classifications or measurement units rather than functional dependencies. Slope indicates how variables relate, such as showing a positive or negative relationship between them. Common mistake: assuming the slope of a graph reveals the absolute magnitude or units of variables rather than their directional relationship.

6
Question 6 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2024

The balance of trade is the difference between

A. visible exports and invisible imports
B. visible exports and visible imports
C. total exports and total imports
D. invisible exports and invisible imports
Explanation

A student might mistakenly choose option C by failing to separate visible trade from invisible services and capital flows. The balance of trade focuses on the difference between visible (tangible) exports and visible imports. Common mistake: including invisible services when calculating the specific balance of trade.

7
Question 7 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2024

If the quantity of rice bought decreases from 250 tonnes to 200 tonnes owing to a 2% rise in price, it shows that there is a change in

A. consumers' income
B. demand
C. consumers' tastes
D. quantity demanded
Explanation

A student might mistakenly choose option B by confusing a general shift in demand with a movement along the curve caused by price. A price rise causing less quantity bought is a change in quantity demanded. Common mistake: confusing a change in demand with a change in quantity demanded when price changes.

8
Question 8 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2024

A regressive tax system is characterized by

A. higher tax rates for higher incomes
B. lower tax rates for higher incomes
C. equal tax rates for all incomes
D. no tax on low incomes
Explanation

A student might mistakenly select option A by confusing regressive taxation with progressive taxation systems. In a regressive tax system, the tax burden falls more heavily on lower-income earners as income increases, taking a larger percentage from the poor. Common mistake: reversing the definitions of progressive and regressive tax systems.

9
Question 9 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2024

A rise in income will, ceteris paribus, bring about

A. a leftward shift of the demand curve
B. a rightward shift of the demand curve
C. a rightward shift of the supply curve
D. no effect on the demand curve
Explanation

A student might mistakenly choose option A by assuming higher income decreases the desire for normal goods or confusing demand with supply shifts. Higher income increases demand, shifting the demand curve rightward. Common mistake: shifting the demand curve to the left when consumer income rises for a normal good.

10
Question 10 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2024

The central bank controls inflation primarily through

A. fiscal policy
B. open market operations
C. direct taxation
D. import restrictions
Explanation

A student might mistakenly choose option A or C by confusing monetary policy tools used by the central bank with fiscal measures handled by the government. Open market operations, such as selling government securities, reduce money supply to control inflation. Common mistake: attributing fiscal policy measures like taxation to the central bank's primary inflation control toolkit.

11
Question 11 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2024

Price (N) | Quantity (kg)
50 | 500
70 | 400
From the above, calculate the price elasticity of demand

A. 5.0
B. 2.0
C. 1.0
D. 0.5
Explanation

A student might mistakenly choose option A, B, or C by miscalculating the percentage changes in quantity or price. Elasticity is calculated as |% change in quantity / % change in price|, where % change in quantity is (400 - 500) / 500 * 100 = -20% and % change in price is (70 - 50) / 50 * 100 = 40%, giving |-20 / 40| = 0.5. Common mistake: dividing the percentage change in price by the percentage change in quantity instead of the reverse.

12
Question 12 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2024

A public corporation is financed mainly by

A. private investments
B. government grants and loans
C. foreign aid
D. commercial bank loans
Explanation

A student might mistakenly choose option A or C by assuming public corporations rely on private shareholders or international donors like private firms. Public corporations are state-owned and primarily funded through government allocations and loans. Common mistake: assuming public corporations rely on private equity financing.

13
Question 13 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2024

If the price of an item increases by 8% while the quantity demanded falls from 1500 units to 1492 units, the demand is said to be

A. perfectly elastic
B. inelastic
C. elastic
D. perfectly inelastic
Explanation

A student might mistakenly choose option C by misinterpreting a small numerical drop as significant or miscalculating the coefficient. Elasticity equals |% change in quantity / % change in price|, where % change in quantity is (1492 - 1500) / 1500 * 100 = -0.53% and % change in price is 8%, resulting in |-0.53 / 8| ≈ 0.067, which is less than 1, so inelastic. Common mistake: failing to recognize that an elasticity coefficient less than one indicates inelastic demand.

14
Question 14 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2024

The law of diminishing marginal returns applies when

A. all inputs are variable
B. at least one input is fixed
C. all inputs are fixed
D. output is constant
Explanation

A student might mistakenly choose option A or C by assuming all inputs must be variable or all fixed for returns to diminish. Diminishing marginal returns occur when adding more of a variable input to a fixed input reduces additional output. Common mistake: believing that diminishing marginal returns apply when all production inputs are completely variable.

15
Question 15 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2024

The supply of cocoa is influenced by

A. seasonal conditions
B. the efficiency of fertilizer used
C. the demand for beverages
D. the availability of close substitutes
Explanation

A student might mistakenly choose option C or D by focusing on market demand factors rather than agricultural supply determinants. Cocoa supply is affected by seasonal conditions like weather. Common mistake: confusing factors that shift market demand with determinants of agricultural supply.

16
Question 16 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2024

A trade union's primary objective is to

A. increase productivity
B. protect workers' interests
C. manage company profits
D. regulate prices
Explanation

Students might mistakenly lean toward options like managing company profits or increasing productivity, assuming unions focus entirely on corporate output. Better wages, improved working conditions, and broader rights for workers are what trade unions actively advocate for, making protection of worker interests the correct focus. Common mistake: Confusing corporate management goals with labor representation.

17
Question 17 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2024

If quantity supplied is constant irrespective of price changes, the supply elasticity is

A. unitary
B. infinity
C. fairly elastic
D. perfectly inelastic
Explanation

Learners could incorrectly choose fairly elastic or unitary, thinking supply always responds to external pressures. A constant quantity supplied despite price fluctuations signifies that the supply is perfectly inelastic. Common mistake: Assuming all supply curves react to price shifts.

18
Question 18 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2024

The primary purpose of the African Development Bank is to

A. stabilize global currencies
B. finance development projects in Africa
C. regulate international trade
D. control inflation in Africa
Explanation

Students might select global currency stabilization or international trade regulation, confusing this institution with the IMF or WTO. By providing funding for development projects to promote economic growth in African countries, the African Development Bank fulfills its main objective. Common mistake: Mixing up the functions of regional development banks with global financial institutions.

19
Question 19 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2024

The invisible hand promotes the interests of

A. consumers
B. society
C. government
D. producers
Explanation

A student might mistakenly think the invisible hand only helps producers or consumers exclusively. Market forces are actually guided by the invisible hand to benefit society as a whole. Common mistake: Narrowing a macro market mechanism down to a single market participant.

20
Question 20 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2024

A firm's shut-down point occurs when its revenue cannot cover

A. fixed costs
B. variable costs
C. total costs
D. marginal costs
Explanation

Candidates might mistakenly choose fixed costs or total costs, forgetting that fixed expenses must be paid regardless of whether production happens. A firm shuts down when revenue falls below variable costs, as it cannot cover ongoing production expenses. Common mistake: Failing to distinguish between fixed and variable commitments in the short run.

21
Question 21 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2024

Fixing price above equilibrium will cause

A. a decrease in quantity supplied
B. an increase in supply
C. an increase in quantity supplied
D. a decrease in supply
Explanation

Test-takers might wrongly guess a decrease in quantity supplied, reversing basic supply behavior. A price above equilibrium increases quantity supplied, creating a surplus. Common mistake: Inverting the law of supply when analyzing disequilibrium pricing.

22
Question 22 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2024

The main source of government revenue in Nigeria is

A. agricultural exports
B. oil revenue
C. custom duties
D. income taxes
Explanation

A student could mistakenly choose agricultural exports or income taxes, overlooking the dominant sector. Oil revenue is the dominant source of government income in Nigeria due to its large oil exports. Common mistake: Overestimating the tax base contribution in developing economies.

23
Question 23 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2024

An important function of the price system is to

A. ensure that producers' profits remain high
B. guarantee full employment of resources
C. allocate resources to most productive uses
D. protect the economic interests of government
Explanation

Students might incorrectly select high producer profits or government protection, assuming the economy serves private or political entities first. The price system allocates resources efficiently to productive uses. Common mistake: Forgetting that market prices act primarily as a rationing and allocation mechanism.

24
Question 24 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2024

A subsidy on a commodity is likely to

A. increase its price
B. reduce its supply
C. lower its price
D. decrease demand
Explanation

Learners might choose higher prices or reduced supply, confusing subsidies with taxes. Subsidies reduce production costs, lowering the market price of the subsidized commodity. Common mistake: Treating financial aid to producers the same as a restrictive tariff or tax.

25
Question 25 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2024

If all factors are variable in the long run, firms will experience

A. decreasing returns to scale
B. increasing returns to scale
C. diminishing returns
D. economies of scale
Explanation

A student could mistakenly pick diminishing returns or decreasing returns to scale, mixing up short-run constraints with long-run expansion. In the long run, firms can achieve economies of scale with all factors variable. Common mistake: Applying short-run production laws to long-run scenarios.

26
Question 26 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2024

The concept of 'marginal cost' refers to

A. the total cost of production
B. the cost of producing one additional unit
C. the average cost of production
D. the fixed cost per unit
Explanation

Candidates might mistakenly select average cost or total cost instead of looking at the increment. Marginal cost is the additional cost incurred by producing one more unit of output. Common mistake: Confusing total or average metrics with per-unit incremental changes.

27
Question 27 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2024

Patents and copyrights enable monopolists to

A. determine the quality of their products
B. determine the scale of their products
C. restrict information flow to new firms
D. restrict entry of new firms
Explanation

Students might mistakenly think these legal tools determine product quality or scale. Patents and copyrights create barriers, restricting new firm entry. Common mistake: Confusing intellectual property protections with internal operational decisions.

28
Question 28 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2024

A major function of commercial banks is to

A. print money
B. accept deposits and provide loans
C. control money supply
D. set interest rates
Explanation

Learners could incorrectly choose printing money or controlling money supply, which are central bank duties. Commercial banks primarily accept deposits from customers and provide loans to borrowers. Common mistake: Attributing central banking monetary authority to high street commercial banks.

29
Question 29 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2024

Net National Product is derived by deducting

A. net exports from GNP
B. subsidies from GDP
C. taxes from GDP
D. depreciation from GNP
Explanation

A student might mistakenly choose taxes from GDP or net exports from GNP, mixing up national income accounting components. Net National Product is GNP minus depreciation of capital. Common mistake: Confusing gross metrics with net measures that account for capital consumption.

30
Question 30 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2024

The incidence of a tax refers to

A. the rate of taxation
B. who ultimately bears the tax burden
C. the method of tax collection
D. the type of tax imposed
Explanation

Candidates might incorrectly select the rate of taxation or the method of collection. Tax incidence determines whether the producer or consumer ultimately pays the tax. Common mistake: Confusing the legal liability of paying a tax with the actual economic burden.

31
Question 31 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2024

The investment expenditure of an economy changes by N2 million and MPC is 0.75. What is the change in income?

A. N0.5m
B. N1.5m
C. N2.6m
D. N8.0m
Explanation

Students might mistakenly pick N0.5m or N1.5m by improperly applying the multiplier formula. The multiplier is calculated as 1 divided by 1 minus MPC, which equals 1 divided by 0.25 to get 4; multiplying this by the change in investment of N2 million yields a change in income of N8 million. Common mistake: Incorrectly computing the expenditure multiplier from the marginal propensity to consume.

32
Question 32 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2024

A country with a high dependency ratio is likely to face

A. low unemployment
B. high economic growth
C. pressure on social services
D. increased exports
Explanation

Learners could mistakenly guess low unemployment or high economic growth, misinterpreting dependency demographics as a productive workforce. A high dependency ratio means more non-working people rely on workers, straining social services like healthcare and education. Common mistake: Interpreting population dependency as an economic advantage.

33
Question 33 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2024

If a basket of commodities cost N120 in the base year and N240 in the current year, calculate the price index

A. 100
B. 200
C. 240
D. 300
Explanation

A student might pick 100 by forgetting to scale the ratio or choosing the base year value. The price index equals the current year cost divided by the base year cost multiplied by 100, resulting in 240 divided by 120 times 100, which equals 200, given that the base year index is always 100. Common mistake: Forgetting to multiply the price relative by 100.

34
Question 34 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2024

The concept of 'economic rent' is associated with

A. land as a factor of production
B. capital investments
C. labor wages
D. entrepreneurial profits
Explanation

Candidates might mistakenly select labor wages or entrepreneurial profits, confusing general factor rewards with fixed-supply surpluses. Economic rent is the surplus income earned by land due to its fixed supply. Common mistake: Confusing standard factor payments with economic rent.

35
Question 35 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2024

A huge national debt is an indication that the gold reserves of a nation has

A. appreciated
B. decreased
C. depreciated
D. stagnated
Explanation

Students could incorrectly choose appreciated or stagnated, assuming debt has a positive or neutral effect on backing assets. A huge national debt often indicates reduced reserves to finance it. Common mistake: Overlooking the drain that heavy borrowing places on national currency backing.

36
Question 36 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2024

A floating exchange rate is determined by

A. government policy
B. central bank interventions
C. market forces of supply and demand
D. international agreements
Explanation

Learners might mistakenly pick government policy or central bank interventions, confusing floating systems with fixed exchange rate regimes. A floating exchange rate fluctuates based on the supply and demand for a currency in the forex market. Common mistake: Confusing managed exchange rates with freely floating market rates.

37
Question 37 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2024

Rapid economic development in Nigeria is realizable by

A. continuous dependence on oil
B. concentrating more on agriculture
C. developing the tourism industry
D. diversifying the economy
Explanation

A student might incorrectly choose continuous dependence on oil, failing to recognize the risks of a mono-economy. Diversifying reduces reliance on oil, fostering sustainable growth. Common mistake: Relying on a single primary commodity for long-term national development.

38
Question 38 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2024

The main goal of diversification in Nigeria's economy is to

A. increase oil production
B. reduce reliance on oil
C. limit agricultural exports
D. centralize economic planning
Explanation

Candidates could mistakenly select increasing oil production or centralizing planning, going against the goal of structural change. Diversification aims to develop non-oil sectors to reduce Nigeria's dependence on oil revenue. Common mistake: Misinterpreting the core goal of economic restructuring.

39
Question 39 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2024

An emerging agricultural export crop in Nigeria is

A. cassava
B. cotton
C. cocoa
D. soya beans
Explanation

Students might mistakenly pick cotton or cocoa, overlooking newer crop trends. Cassava has become a significant agricultural export crop in Nigeria. Common mistake: Relying solely on traditional cash crops instead of recognizing emerging export products.

40
Question 40 of 40
JAMB · Economics · 2024

A perfectly competitive market is characterized by

A. few sellers
B. price control by firms
C. many buyers and sellers
D. product differentiation
Explanation

Learners might incorrectly select few sellers or product differentiation, which describe oligopoly or monopolistic competition. Perfect competition involves many buyers and sellers, identical products, and no single firm controlling prices. Common mistake: Confusing competitive market structures with imperfect market models.

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