What are the 9 Social Science Subjects in WAEC?
If you are a student of social sciences or aspire to study social science courses in the future, it is important to keep in mind that the questions for your final year examination will be drawn from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) subjects taken by students of the arts stream.
This is a critical aspect of your educational journey that you need to be aware of.
Every year, thousands of students participate in the WAEC examination, and each student is required to submit a maximum of 9 WAEC subjects. It is imperative to note that the number of WAEC art subjects taken by a student should not exceed 9.
In secondary schools, students are mandated to select their subject area at the start of the penultimate year. The subject area selected is based on the student’s desired future course of study or occupation.
There are three subject areas available for senior secondary students to choose from, including arts, sciences, and commercials. The student must choose wisely, keeping in mind the courses they wish to study in the future, as the subjects they choose will play a crucial role in determining their future academic path.
The 9 core Social Science subjects in WAEC
In the WAEC examination, the art students are mandated to choose a maximum of 9 subjects, and a minimum of 8 subjects.
There are more than 20 possible subjects that are available for art students to fill in the necessary subject required by the WAEC examination board.
The art subjects compulsorily include all of either of the following:
- English language
- Mathematics
- Geography
- Marketing.
- Government or history.
- Christian/Islamic religious studies
- Language (Igbo, Hausa, and Yoruba).
- Economics
- One trade subject.
These above-listed subjects are mandatory for every art student in WAEC. But that notwithstanding, there are other subjects that can substitute any of the above-listed art subjects. They include:
- Agricultural science
- Biology
- Arabic studies
- French
- Music
- Accounting.
English language and mathematics as compulsory art subjects in WAEC
The presence of these two popular subjects is not new to any secondary school student, based on the longevity of the subjects in the school curriculum. In essence, English Language and Mathematics form the core of WAEC subjects for art students.
Right from Primary schools, there are emergence and disappearance of subjects as students progress through the classes, but every student that goes through the western education formation is mandated to study English language and mathematics from their first day in Primary school till their last day in the secondary school tier.
That’s how important and immovable English language and mathematics can be in academics.
This also applies to art students. They are bound to sit for the English language and mathematics examination, then they have the choice of adding any other subjects based on their future academic or professional objectives.
Other Subject combinations in WAEC
- 9 subjects for science students in WAEC
- 9 subjects for Arts students in WAEC
- 9 subjects for computer science students in WAEC
- 9 subjects for commercial students in WAEC
Frequently asked questions about Social Science subjects in WAEC
Are languages compulsory for every Social science student?
No. Registering for any language subject is not compulsory for any social science student or any student of any study area. It’s an optional subject for WAEC candidates.
How many trade subjects can a Social science student register in WAEC?
In choosing WAEC subjects for art students, Social science students are advised to register for only one trade subject.Â
There are more than 30 trade subjects for selection in WAEC, but Social science students are advised to choose only one to avoid the stress of sitting for both the theory and practical examinations, as all trade subjects feature a practical session.Â
Just like every other study area of the senior secondary school sections, art students have subjects that are specialized to them.
The WAEC subjects for art students include subjects such as English language and mathematics (civic education is a new addition to this list), then optional subjects to fill up the quota.
This is to tailor their subject selection to suit their future Educational plans or occupations.
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