WAEC changes 2026 WASSCE subject structure
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has revised the subject structure for candidates sitting the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in 2026 and 2027, with candidates required to register for between eight and nine subjects.
Under the new structure, English Language and General Mathematics are the only compulsory core subjects for candidates sitting the examination in 2026 and 2027.
Abimbola Joseph
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has revised the subject structure for candidates sitting the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in 2026 and 2027, with candidates required to register for between eight and nine subjects.
Under the new structure, English Language and General Mathematics are the only compulsory core subjects for candidates sitting the examination in 2026 and 2027.
WAEC’s official entry regulations state that candidates must select six or seven additional subjects to bring their total registration to a minimum of eight and a maximum of nine subjects.
The council said two other subjects — Citizenship and Heritage Studies and Digital Technologies, would eventually become core subjects. However, they will not be examined until 2028 because their curricula and examination syllabuses are still being developed.
WAEC categorises additional subjects into Science, Humanities, Business and Trade areas.
Science subjects include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Agriculture, Further Mathematics, Physical Education, Health Education, Foods and Nutrition, Geography and Technical Drawing.
The Humanities category includes Nigerian History, Government, Christian Religious Studies, Islamic Studies, Nigerian languages, French, Arabic, Visual Art, Music, Literature-in-English, Home Management and Catering Craft.
For Business studies, WAEC lists Accounting, Commerce, Marketing and Economics.
The official guidance therefore does not support the claim that Economics has been completely prohibited for Science or Humanities students. Rather, Economics is listed by WAEC among the Business subjects.
The revised structure also includes trade subjects designed to provide practical and vocational skills. WAEC lists options including Fashion Design and Garment Making, Livestock Farming, Beauty and Cosmetology, Computer Hardware and GSM Repairs, Solar Photovoltaic Installation and Maintenance, and Horticulture and Crop Production.
The changes form part of the council’s wider curriculum restructuring and are intended to align examination subjects with the revised secondary-school curriculum.
WAEC urged schools and candidates to rely on its official registration guidelines when selecting subjects for the 2026 and 2027 examinations.
