How many subjects are written in WAEC?
Before you sit for an examination, you have to know the limit of what you have to face. Likewise in WAEC, you need to know or ask “How many subjects are written in WAEC?”
Before we talk about the number of questions set for the candidates, we think it will be nice to remind you of what WAEC means, once again.
West African Examination Council (WAEC) is a pan west African examination body that is charged with conducting and qualifying candidates for higher education or tick to them as officially literate. This examination is done by trying students in selected subjects.
This examination is conducted for every subject that is taught in all the anglophone countries of west Africa.
WAEC Subjects
WAEC candidates are mandated to write a maximum of 9 subjects, which must include English language and mathematics.
In WAEC, there are tons of subjects to choose from. WAEC subjects are diversified depending on the subject areas, and the kind of craft that a student was involved in, while in school.
In WAEC, there are two categories of subjects. They are:
- Compulsory subjects
- Electives.
The compulsory subjects are subjects that are mandatory for every candidate that will sit for the WAEC examination, irrespective of his subject area. There are two compulsory subjects in WAEC. They are:
- English language
- Mathematics.
These two subjects are to be written by every single student. No matter the course you want to study
On the other hand, electives are subjects that are subject to selection by the candidates. Electives are the remaining 6 or 7 subjects, that are added to mathematics and English language to make up a full WAEC subject combination.
There are more than 50 elective subjects in WAEC, enough to cater to science students, art students, commercial students, technical students, and more.
How many subjects are written in WAEC for the different subject areas?
As implied earlier, WAEC subjects cannot be the same for every WAEC candidate, as different candidates may be sitting for different subjects or have different interests.
So below is a list of WAEC subjects that are peculiar to students in each secondary school subject area.
• WAEC Subject combination for Science students:
- Mathematics
- English language
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Further maths
- Geography
- Agricultural science
- Any other subjects that interest the WAEC candidate. It may be economics or bead-making. It’s left for him to make a choice.
• WAEC Subject combination for Commercial students:
The subjects combination for commercial can also be used by any candidates who are interested in social sciences. They include:
- English language
- Mathematics
- Economics
- Accounting
- Commerce
- Geography
- Government
- Any one or two subjects of interest.
• WAEC Subject combination for Art students:
The subject combination for art students goes on to be as different from the subjects offered by students in other areas.
The arts subjects combination include:
- Mathematics
- English language
- Literature in English
- Economics
- Christian religious studies
- Languages ( Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba)
- Islamic studies
- Any one or two subjects of interest.
NB: Currently in Nigeria, it’s mandatory that every student must sit and write Civic education in WAEC. It’s not a core course to be considered in admission processes, but it’s mandatory for every Nigerian internal WAEC candidate.
WAEC vocational subjects
The WAEC subjects’ discussion cannot be ended without mentioning the different vocational subjects that are written in WAEC. They include:
- Blocklaying/Bricklaying Concreting
- Body Repair Works
- Book Keeping
- Building/Engr Drawing
- Business Management
- Business Methods
- Carpentry & Joinery
- Catering Craft Practice
- Ceramics and Design
- Computer Craft Studies
- Cosmetology
- Domestic & Office Machines Maint
- Draughtmanship
- Elect Inst & Maint Works
- Elect/Medical App & Proj Maint
- Electronics Works
- Fabrication & Welding
- Fisheries
- Footwear Manufacture
- Foundry Craft Practice
- Furniture Making
- General Science
- Graphic Design
- Instrument Mechanics Works
- Intro to Agric Sci, Imp & Machines
- Intro to Building Construction
- Ladies Garment Const & Finishing
- Leather Goods Manufacture
- Leather Tanning
- Machine Wood Working
- Marine Engineering Craft
- Men’s Garment Construction & Finishing
- Mechanical Engineering Craft Practice
- Office Practice
- Motor Vehicle Mech Works
- Painting and Decorating
- Photographic Practice
- Plumbing and Pipe Fitting
- Printing Craft Practice
- Refrig and Air-Conditioning
- Salesmanship
- Ship Building Craft Practice
- Shorthand
- Shorthand, 80 WPM
- Spinning
- Statistics
- Surface Design/Textile Printing
- Tourism
- Tractor System
- Typewriting
- Typewriting, 35 WPM
- Vehicle Body Building
These subjects listed above are the different vocational subjects that are offered in WAEC, but they are not needed for admission processes in higher institutions. A candidate can register as many as he wants while putting into consideration the core subjects that will be needed to secure admission into a higher institution.
Frequently asked questions about WAEC Subjects
Can I write Animal husbandry in WAEC?
Yes. Animal husbandry is an example of the several electives that are written in WAEC. But they are not used for admission purposes.
How many electives can I register for in WAEC?
The electives to be registered in WAEC can be any subject combination, it depends on the candidate, his subject areas in school, and the course he wants to read at the university.
Because if you want to study medicine and surgery, you cannot register for subjects that were meant for commercial students.
The total number of electives to be registered in WAEC is 4. The first five subjects for every WAEC candidate are the core subjects that are relevant to his interests.
The electives can be reduced to 2, as in the case of WAEC private candidates that are allowed to register a minimum of 7 subjects. So WAEC private candidates can make do with 5 core WAEC subjects (which must include English language and mathematics) and any other two or more electives.
Are all electives used for admission purposes?
No. Currently, not every WAEC elective can be used for admission processes.
Subjects like body repair work, bookkeeping, ceramics and design, GSM phone maintenance and repair, building/engineering drawing; cannot be used for admission purposes, but they can be written in WAEC.
The WAEC subjects are the bedrock of the examination itself. They are the items that are listed on the WAEC examination timetable. The mandatory 9 WAEC subjects are subdivided into two: Compulsory and electives.
The compulsory subjects are English and mathematics, while the electives may include any other subject, which is chosen by the WAEC candidate, depending on his subject area in school, or his aspiring course area. In total, every candidate can register a maximum of 9 subjects in WAEC, excluding English Language and Mathematics.
WAEC candidates are advised to seek the counsel of their teachers, for assistance in choosing the WAEC subjects combination, to be able to make the right choice of subjects to register in WAEC.
Now, you know the answer to this question: “How many subjects are written in WAEC?” Read and share so that your friends can benefit too.
Good luck.
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