WAEC MATHEMATICS SYLLABUSSNTOPICSOBJECTIVES PART I: NUMBER AND

NUMERATION1NUMBER BASES(i) conversion of numbers from one base to another

(ii) Basic operations on number bases2MODULAR ARITHMETIC(i) Concept of

Modulo Arithmetic.

(ii) Addition, subtraction, and multiplication operations in modulo arithmetic.

(iii) Application to daily life3FRACTIONS, DECIMALS AND APPROXIMATIONS(i) Basic

operations on fractions and decimals.

(ii) Approximations and significant figures.4INDICES(i) Laws of indices

(ii) Numbers in standard form ( scientific notation)5LOGARITHMS(i) Relationship

between indices and logarithms e.g. y = 10k implies log10y = k.

(ii) Basic rules of logarithms e.g. log10(pq) = log10p + log10q log10(p/q) = log10p –
log10q log10p n = nlog10p.

(iii) Use of tables of logarithms and anti logarithms.6SEQUENCES AND SERIES(i)

Patterns of sequences.

(ii) Arithmetic progression (A.P.) Geometric Progression (G.P.)7SETS(i) Idea of sets,

universal sets, finite and infinite sets, subsets, empty sets, and disjoint sets. Idea of
and notation for union, intersection and complement of sets.
(ii) Solution of practical problems involving classification using Venn
diagrams.8LOGICAL REASONINGSimple statements. True and false statements.
Negation of statements, implications.9POSITIVE & NEGATIVE INTEGERS, RATIONAL
NUMBERSThe four basic operations on rational
numbers.10SURDS(RADICALS)Simplification and rationalization of simple
surds.11MATRICES & DETERMINANTS(i) Identification of order, notation, and types
of matrices.

(ii) Addition, subtraction, scalar multiplication, and multiplication of matrices.

(iii) Determinant of a matrix12RATIO, PROPORTIONS & RATESRatio between two

similar quantities. Proportion between two or more similar quantities.

Financial partnerships, rates of work, costs, taxes, foreign exchange, density (e.g.
population), mass, distance, time, and speed.13PERCENTAGESSimple interest,
commission, discount, depreciation, profit and loss, compound interest, hire
purchase, and percentage error.14FINANCIAL ARITHMETIC(i) Depreciation/
Amortization

(ii) Annuities

(iii) Capital Market Instruments15VARIATIONDirect, inverse, partial, and joint

variations. PART II: ALGEBRAIC PROCESSES16ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSIONS(i)
Formulating algebraic expressions from given situations

( ii ) Evaluation of algebraic expressions17SIMPLE OPERATIONS ON ALGEBRAIC

EXPRESSIONS( i ) Expansion

(ii ) Factorization

(iii) Binary Operations18SOLUTIONS OF LINEAR EQUATION(i) Linear equations in

one variable

(ii) Simultaneous linear equations in two variables.19CHANGE OF A SUBJECT OF

FORMULA/RELATION(i) Change of subject of a formula/relation

(ii) Substitution20QUADRATIC EQUATIONS(i) Solution of quadratic equations

(ii) Forming quadratic equation with given roots.

(iii) Application of solution of quadratic equation in practical problems.21GRAPHS
OF LINEAR & QUADRATIC FUNCTIONS(i) Interpretation of graphs, coordinate of
points, table of values, drawing quadratic graphs and obtaining roots from graphs.

( ii ) Graphical solution of a pair of equations of the form: y = ax\(^{2}\) + bx + c and

y = mx + k *

(iii) Drawing tangents to curves to determine the gradient at a given

point.22LINEAR INEQUALITIES(i) Solution of linear inequalities in one variable and
representation on the number line.

∗(ii) Graphical solution of linear inequalities in two variables.

∗(iii) Graphical solution of simultaneous linear inequalities in two

variables.23ALGEBRAIC FUNCTIONSOperations on algebraic fractions with:

(i) Monomial denominators

( ii ) Binomial denominators24FUNCTIONS AND RELATIONSTypes of Functions PART

III: MENSURATION25LENGTHS & PERIMETERS(i) Use of Pythagoras theorem, sine
and cosine rules to determine lengths and distances.

(ii) Lengths of arcs of circles, perimeters of sectors and segments.

(iii) Longitudes and Latitudes.26AREAS(i) Triangles and special quadrilaterals –

rectangles, parallelograms and trapeziums

(ii) Circles, sectors and segments of circles.

(iii) Surface areas of cubes, cuboids, cylinder, pyramids, righttriangular prisms,

cones andspheres.27VOLUMES(i) Volumes of cubes, cuboids, cylinders, cones, right
pyramids and spheres.

(ii) Volumes of similar solids PART IV: PLANE GEOMETRY28ANGLES(i) Angles at a

point add up to 360°.

(ii) Adjacent angles on a straight line are supplementary.

(iii) Vertically opposite angles are equal.28ANGLES & INTERCEPTS AT PARALLEL

LINES(i) Alternate angles are equal.

(ii)Corresponding angles are equal.

(iii)Interior opposite angles are supplementary

(iv) Intercept theorem.29TRIANGLES AND POLYGONS(i) The sum of the angles of a

triangle is 2 right angles.

(ii) The exterior angle of a triangle equals the sum of the two interior opposite
angles.

(iii) Congruent triangles.

( iv ) Properties of special triangles – Isosceles, equilateral, right-angled, etc

(v) Properties of special

quadrilaterals – parallelogram, rhombus, square, rectangle, trapezium.

( vi )Properties of similar triangles.

( vii ) The sum of the angles of a polygon

(viii) Property of exterior angles of a polygon.

(ix) Parallelograms on the same base and between the same parallels are equal in
area.

30CIRCLES(i) Chords.

(ii) The angle which an arc of a circle subtends at the centre of the circle is twice
that which it subtends at any point on the remaining part of the circumference.

(iii) Any angle subtended at the circumference by a diameter is a right angle. (iv)
Angles in the same segment are equal.

(v) Angles in opposite segments are supplementary.

(vi)Perpendicularity of tangent and radius.

(vii)If a tangent is drawn to a circle and from the point of contact a chord is drawn,
each angle which this chord makes with the tangent is equal to the angle in the
alternate segment.31CONSTRUCTION(i) Bisectors of angles and line segments
(ii) Line parallel or perpendicular to a given line.

(iii )Angles e.g. 90°, 60°, 45°, 30°, and an angle equal to a given angle.

(iv) Triangles and quadrilaterals from sufficient data.32LOCIKnowledge of the loci

listed below and their intersections in 2 dimensions.

(i) Points at a given distance from a given point.

(ii) Points equidistant from two given points.

(iii)Points equidistant from two given straight lines.

(iv)Points at a given distance from a given straight line PART V: COORDINATE

GEOMETRY OF STRAIGHT LINES33CO-ORDINATE GEOMETRY OF STRAIGHT LINES(i)
Concept of the x-y plane.

(ii) Coordinates of points on the x-y plane. PART VI: TRIGONOMETRY34SINE,

COSINE AND TANGENT OF AN ANGLE(i) Sine, Cosine and Tangent of acute angles.

(ii) Use of tables of trigonometric ratios.

(iii) Trigonometric ratios of 30°, 45° and 60°.

(iv) Sine, cosine and tangent of angles from 0° to 360°.

(v)Graphs of sine and cosine.

(vi) Graphs of trigonometric ratios35ANGLES IF ELEVATION & DEPRESSION(i)

Calculating angles of elevation and depression.

(ii) Application to heights and distances.36BEARINGS(i) Bearing of one point from

another.

(ii) Calculation of distances and angles PART VI: INTRODUCTORY

CALCULUS40INTRODUCTORY CALCULUS(i) Differentiation of algebraic functions.

(i) Differentiation of algebraic functions.

(ii) Integration of simple Algebraic functions. PART VII: STATISTICS AND

PROBABILITY41STATISTICS(i) Frequency distribution

( ii ) Pie charts, bar charts, histograms and frequency polygons

(iii) Mean, median and mode for both discrete and grouped data.

(iv) Cumulative frequency curve (Ogive).

(v) Measures of Dispersion: range, semi inter-quartile/interquartile range, variance,

mean deviation and standard deviation.42PROBABILITY(i) Experimental and
theoretical probability.

(ii) Addition of probabilities for mutually exclusive and independent events.

(iii) Multiplication of probabilities for independent events. PART VIII: VECTORS &
TRANSFORMATION43VECTORS IN A PLANE(i) Vectors as a directed line segment.

(ii) Cartesian components of a vector

(iii) Magnitude of a vector, equal vectors, addition and subtraction of vectors, zero
vector, parallel vectors, multiplication of a vector by scalar.44TRANSFORMATION IN
THE CARTESIAN PLANE(i) Reflection of points and shapes in the Cartesian Plane.

(ii) Rotation of points and shapes in the Cartesian Plane.

(iii) Translation of points and shapes in the Cartesian Plane.

 MATHEMATICS
SN TOPICS OBJECTIVES

PART I: NUMBER AND NUMERATION

1 NUMBER BASES (i) conversion of numbers from one base to

another

(ii) Basic operations on number bases

2 MODULAR ARITHMETIC (i) Concept of Modulo Arithmetic.

(ii) Addition, subtraction, and multiplication

operations in modulo arithmetic.

(iii) Application to daily life

3 FRACTIONS, DECIMALS AND (i) Basic operations on fractions and decimals.
APPROXIMATIONS

(ii) Approximations and significant figures.

4 INDICES (i) Laws of indices

(ii) Numbers in standard form ( scientific

notation)

5 LOGARITHMS (i) Relationship between indices and

logarithms e.g. y = 10k implies log10y = k.

(ii) Basic rules of logarithms e.g. log10(pq) =

log10p + log10q log10(p/q) = log10p – log10q
log10p n = nlog10p.

(iii) Use of tables of logarithms and anti

logarithms.

6 SEQUENCES AND SERIES (i) Patterns of sequences.

(ii) Arithmetic progression (A.P.) Geometric

Progression (G.P.)
7 SETS (i) Idea of sets, universal sets, finite and
infinite sets, subsets, empty sets, and disjoint
sets. Idea of and notation for union,
intersection and complement of sets.

(ii) Solution of practical problems involving

classification using Venn diagrams.

8 LOGICAL REASONING Simple statements. True and false statements.

Negation of statements, implications.

9 POSITIVE & NEGATIVE INTEGERS, The four basic operations on rational numbers.
RATIONAL NUMBERS

10 SURDS(RADICALS) Simplification and rationalization of simple

surds.

11 MATRICES & DETERMINANTS (i) Identification of order, notation, and types of

matrices.

(ii) Addition, subtraction, scalar multiplication,

and multiplication of matrices.

(iii) Determinant of a matrix

12 RATIO, PROPORTIONS & RATES Ratio between two similar quantities.
Proportion between two or more similar
quantities.
 Financial partnerships, rates of work, costs,
taxes, foreign exchange, density (e.g.
population), mass, distance, time, and speed.

13 PERCENTAGES Simple interest, commission, discount,

depreciation, profit and loss, compound
interest, hire purchase, and percentage error.

14 FINANCIAL ARITHMETIC (i) Depreciation/ Amortization

(ii) Annuities

(iii) Capital Market Instruments

15 VARIATION Direct, inverse, partial, and joint variations.

PART II: ALGEBRAIC PROCESSES

16 ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSIONS (i) Formulating algebraic expressions from

given situations

( ii ) Evaluation of algebraic expressions

17 SIMPLE OPERATIONS ON ALGEBRAIC ( i ) Expansion

EXPRESSIONS
 (ii ) Factorization

(iii) Binary Operations

18 SOLUTIONS OF LINEAR EQUATION (i) Linear equations in one variable

(ii) Simultaneous linear equations in two

variables.

19 CHANGE OF A SUBJECT OF (i) Change of subject of a formula/relation

FORMULA/RELATION

(ii) Substitution

20 QUADRATIC EQUATIONS (i) Solution of quadratic equations

(ii) Forming quadratic equation with given

roots.

(iii) Application of solution of quadratic

equation in practical problems.

21 GRAPHS OF LINEAR & QUADRATIC (i) Interpretation of graphs, coordinate of

FUNCTIONS points, table of values, drawing quadratic
graphs and obtaining roots from graphs.

( ii ) Graphical solution of a pair of equations of

the form: y = ax\(^{2}\) + bx + c and y = mx + k
*

(iii) Drawing tangents to curves to determine

the gradient at a given point.

22 LINEAR INEQUALITIES (i) Solution of linear inequalities in one variable

and representation on the number line.

∗(ii) Graphical solution of linear inequalities in

two variables.
 ∗(iii) Graphical solution of simultaneous linear
inequalities in two variables.

23 ALGEBRAIC FUNCTIONS Operations on algebraic fractions with:

(i) Monomial denominators

( ii ) Binomial denominators

24 FUNCTIONS AND RELATIONS Types of Functions

PART III: MENSURATION

25 LENGTHS & PERIMETERS (i) Use of Pythagoras theorem, sine and

cosine rules to determine lengths and
distances.

(ii) Lengths of arcs of circles, perimeters of

sectors and segments.

(iii) Longitudes and Latitudes.

26 AREAS (i) Triangles and special quadrilaterals –

rectangles, parallelograms and trapeziums

(ii) Circles, sectors and segments of circles.

(iii) Surface areas of cubes, cuboids, cylinder,

pyramids, righttriangular prisms, cones
andspheres.

27 VOLUMES (i) Volumes of cubes, cuboids, cylinders,

cones, right pyramids and spheres.

(ii) Volumes of similar solids

PART IV: PLANE GEOMETRY

28 ANGLES (i) Angles at a point add up to 360°.

(ii) Adjacent angles on a straight line are

supplementary.

(iii) Vertically opposite angles are equal.

28 ANGLES & INTERCEPTS AT PARALLEL (i) Alternate angles are equal.

LINES
 (ii)Corresponding angles are equal.

(iii)Interior opposite angles are supplementary

(iv) Intercept theorem.

29 TRIANGLES AND POLYGONS (i) The sum of the angles of a triangle is 2 right
angles.

(ii) The exterior angle of a triangle equals the

sum of the two interior opposite angles.

(iii) Congruent triangles.

( iv ) Properties of special triangles –

Isosceles, equilateral, right-angled, etc

(v) Properties of special

quadrilaterals – parallelogram, rhombus,

square, rectangle, trapezium.

( vi )Properties of similar triangles.

( vii ) The sum of the angles of a polygon

(viii) Property of exterior angles of a polygon.

(ix) Parallelograms on the same base and

between the same parallels are equal in area.

30 CIRCLES (i) Chords.

(ii) The angle which an arc of a circle subtends

at the centre of the circle is twice that which it
subtends at any point on the remaining part of
the circumference.
 (iii) Any angle subtended at the circumference
by a diameter is a right angle. (iv) Angles in
the same segment are equal.

(v) Angles in opposite segments are

supplementary.

(vi)Perpendicularity of tangent and radius.

(vii)If a tangent is drawn to a circle and from

the point of contact a chord is drawn, each
angle which this chord makes with the tangent
is equal to the angle in the alternate segment.

31 CONSTRUCTION (i) Bisectors of angles and line segments

(ii) Line parallel or perpendicular to a given

line.

(iii )Angles e.g. 90°, 60°, 45°, 30°, and an

angle equal to a given angle.

(iv) Triangles and quadrilaterals from sufficient

data.

32 LOCI Knowledge of the loci listed below and their

intersections in 2 dimensions.
 (i) Points at a given distance from a given
point.

(ii) Points equidistant from two given points.

(iii)Points equidistant from two given straight

lines.

(iv)Points at a given distance from a given

straight line
PART V: COORDINATE GEOMETRY OF
STRAIGHT LINES

33 CO-ORDINATE GEOMETRY OF STRAIGHT (i) Concept of the x-y plane.

LINES

(ii) Coordinates of points on the x-y plane.

PART VI: TRIGONOMETRY

34 SINE, COSINE AND TANGENT OF AN (i) Sine, Cosine and Tangent of acute angles.
ANGLE

(ii) Use of tables of trigonometric ratios.

(iii) Trigonometric ratios of 30°, 45° and 60°.

(iv) Sine, cosine and tangent of angles from 0°

to 360°.

(v)Graphs of sine and cosine.

(vi) Graphs of trigonometric ratios

35 ANGLES IF ELEVATION & DEPRESSION (i) Calculating angles of elevation and

depression.

(ii) Application to heights and distances.

36 BEARINGS (i) Bearing of one point from another.

(ii) Calculation of distances and angles

 PART VI: INTRODUCTORY CALCULUS

40 INTRODUCTORY CALCULUS (i) Differentiation of algebraic functions.

(i) Differentiation of algebraic functions.

(ii) Integration of simple Algebraic functions.

PART VII: STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY

41 STATISTICS (i) Frequency distribution

( ii ) Pie charts, bar charts, histograms and

frequency polygons

(iii) Mean, median and mode for both discrete

and grouped data.

(iv) Cumulative frequency curve (Ogive).

(v) Measures of Dispersion: range, semi inter-

quartile/interquartile range, variance, mean
deviation and standard deviation.

42 PROBABILITY (i) Experimental and theoretical probability.

(ii) Addition of probabilities for mutually

exclusive and independent events.

(iii) Multiplication of probabilities for

independent events.

PART VIII: VECTORS & TRANSFORMATION

43 VECTORS IN A PLANE (i) Vectors as a directed line segment.

(ii) Cartesian components of a vector

(iii) Magnitude of a vector, equal vectors,

addition and subtraction of vectors, zero
vector, parallel vectors, multiplication of a
vector by scalar.
44 TRANSFORMATION IN THE CARTESIAN (i) Reflection of points and shapes in the
PLANE Cartesian Plane.

(ii) Rotation of points and shapes in the

Cartesian Plane.

(iii) Translation of points and shapes in the

Cartesian Plane.

AEC CHEMISTRY SYLLABUS

TOPICS OBJECTIVES
INTRODUCTION TO CHEMISTRY i. Measurement of physical quantities.

ii. Scientific measurements and their

importance in chemistry.

iii. Scientific Methods

STRUCTURE OF AN ATOM i. Gross features of the atom

ii. Atomic number/proton number, number of

neutrons, isotopes, atomic mass, mass
number

iii. Relative atomic mass (Ar) and relative

molecular mass (Mr) based on the Carbon-12
scale

iv. Characteristics and nature of matter.

v. Particulate nature of matter: physical and

chemical changes

vi. Electron Configuration

vii. Orbitals

viii. Rules and principles for filling in electrons

STANDARD SEPARATION TECHNIQUES i. Classification of mixtures.

FOR MIXTURES

ii. Separation techniques

iii. Criteria for purity

PERIODIC CHEMISTRY i. Periodicity of the elements.
 ii. Different categories of elements in the
periodic table.

iii. Periodic law

a) Trends on the periodic table
b) Periodic gradation of the elements in the
third period (Na – Ar)
c) Reactions between acids and metals, their
oxides and trioxocarbonates (IV)
d) Periodic gradation of elements in group
seven, the halogens: F, Cl, Br and I
e) Elements of the first transition series 21Sc –
CHEMICAL BONDS 30Zn
i. Interatomic bonding

ii. Formation of ionic bonds and compounds.

iii. Properties of ionic compounds.

iv. The naming of ionic compounds.

v. Formation of covalent bonds and

compounds.

vi. Properties of covalent compounds.

vii. Coordinate (dative) covalent bonding

viii. Shapes of molecular compounds.

ix. Metallic Bonding

x. Factors influencing its formation.

xi. Properties of metals.

xii. Intermolecular bonding

xiii. Intermolecular forces in covalent

compounds

xiv. Hydrogen bonding

xv. van der Waals forces

xvi. Comparison of all bond types

STOICHEMISTRY & CHEMICAL REACTIONS i. Symbols, formulae and equations.

ii. Chemical symbols.

iii. Empirical and molecular formulae

iv. Chemical equations and IUPAC names of

chemical compounds

v. Laws of chemical combination

vi. Amount of substance

vii. Mole ratios

viii. Solutions

ix. Concentration terms

x. Standard solutions.

xi. Preparation of solutions from liquid solutes

STATES OF MATTER i.byKinetic
the method
theoryofofdilution
matter.

ii. Changes of state of matter.

iii. Diffusion

iv. Gases
a) Characteristics and nature of gases
b) The gas laws
c) Laboratory preparation and properties of
some gases.

v. Liquids

vi. Vapour and gases.

vii. Solids
a) Characteristics and nature
b) Types and structures
c) Properties of solids.

viii. Structures, properties and uses of

diamond and graphite.
 ix. Determination of melting points of covalent
solids.
ENERGY & ENERGY CHANGES i. Energy and enthalpy

ii. Description, definition and illustrations of

ACIDS, BASES & SALTS energy changes
i. Definitions and their
of acids effects
and bases.

ii. Physical and chemical properties of acids

and bases.

iii. Acids, bases and salts as electrolytes.

iv. Classification of acids and bases.

v. Concept of pH

vi. Salts
a) Laboratory and industrial preparation of
salts
b) Uses
c) Hydrolysis of salt.

vii. Deliquescent, efflorescent and hygroscopic

compound.

viii. Acid-Base indicators

ix. Acid-Base titration

SOLUBILITY OF SUBSTANCES i. General principles

ii. Practical application of solubility

CHEMICAL KINETICS & EQUILIBRIUM RATE i. Rate of reactions:

a) Factors affecting rates

b) Theories of reaction rates
c) Analysis and interpretation of graphs

ii. Equilibrium:
a) General Principle
b) Le Chatelier’s principle
REDOX REACTIONS i. Oxidation and reduction process.

ii. Oxidizing and reducing agents.

iii. Redox equations

 iv. Electrochemical cells
a) Standard electrode potential
b) Drawing of cell diagram and writing cell
notation
c) E.M.F. of cells;
d) Application of Electrochemical cells.

v. Electrolysis
a) Electrolytic cells
b) Principles of electrolysis
c) Factors influencing discharge of species;

d) Faraday’s laws
e) Practical application
f) Corrosion of metals
CHEMISTRY OF CARBON COMPOUNDS i. Classification

ii. Functional group

iii. Separation and purification of organic

compounds.

iv. Petroleum/crude oil

v. Determination of empirical and molecular

formulae and molecular structures of organic
compounds.

vi. General properties of organic compounds:

a) Homologous series
b) Isomerism.

vii. Alkanes
a) Sources, properties
b) Uses.

viii. Alkenes
a) Sources and properties
b) Uses
c) Laboratory detection.

ix. Alkynes
a) Sources, characteristic properties and uses
 b) Chemical reactions.

x. Benzene
a) Structure and physical properties;
b) Chemical properties

xi. Alkanols
a) Sources, nomenclature and structure;
b) Classification
c) Physical properties
d) Chemical properties
e) Laboratory test
f) Uses.

xii. Alkanoic acids

a) Sources, nomenclature and structure;
b) Physical properties
c) Chemical properties
d) Laboratory test
e) Uses

xiii. Alkanoates as derivatives of alkanoic

acids:
a) Sources, nomenclature, preparation and
structure;
b) Physical properties
c) Chemical properties
d) Uses
CHEMISTRY, INDUSTRY & THE i. Chemical industry
ENVIRONMENT

ii. Pollution: air, water and soil pollution

iii. Biotechnology
BASIC BIOCHEMISTRY & SYNTHETIC i. Proteins:
POLYMERS
a) Sources and properties
b) Uses of protein

ii. Amino acids

iii. Fats/oils
a) Sources and properties;
b) The general structure of fats/oils
c) Preparation of soap
d) Uses of fats/oils.
 iv. Carbohydrates
a) Sources and nomenclature;
b) Properties
c) Carbohydrates as examples of polymers;

d) Uses

v. Synthetic polymers:
a) Properties;
b) Uses of polymers
WAEC CHEMISTRY PRACTICALS

GENERAL SKILLS & PRINCIPLES Candidates will be expected to be familiar with

the following skills and principles:

i. Measurement of mass and volume;

ii. Preparation and dilution of standard
solutions;
iii. Filtration, recrystallisation and melting point
determination;
iv. Measurement of heats of neutralization and
solutions;
v. Determination of pH value of various
solutions by colorimetry;
vi. Determination of rates of reaction from
concentration versus time curves;
vii. Determination of equilibrium constants for
QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS a
1.simple system.
Acid-Base Titrations
The use of standard solutions of acids and
alkalis and the indicators; methyl orange,
methyl red and phenolphthalein to determine
the following:

i. The concentrations of acid and alkaline

solutions;
ii. The molar masses of acids and bases and
water of crystallization.
iii. The solubility of acids and bases;
iv. The percentage purity of acids and bases;

v. Analysis of Na2CO3/NaHCO3 mixture by

double indicator methods (Ghanaians only).

vi. Stoichiometry of reactions.

2. Redox Titrations
Titrations of the following systems to solve
analytical problems:
Acidic MnO4– with Fe2+;
 Acidic MnO4– with C2O42-;
I2 in KI versus S2O32-.
QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS No formal scheme of analysis is required.

i. Characteristic tests of the following cations

with dilute NaOH(aq) and NH3(aq); NH4;
Ca2+; Pb2+; Cu2+; Fe2+; Fe3+; Al3+; and
Zn2+.

ii. Confirmatory tests for the above cations.

iii. The characteristic reaction of dilute HCl on

solids or aqueous solutions and conc. H2SO4
on solid samples of the following: Cl– ;
SO32- ; CO32- ; NO3– and SO42-.

iv. Confirmatory tests for the above anions

v. Comparative study of the halogens;

displacement reactions.
vi. Characteristic tests for the following gases:
H2; NH3; CO2; HCl and SO2.
vii. Characteristic test tube reactions of the
functional groups in the following simple
organic compounds: Alkenes; alkanols;
alkanoic acids, sugars (using Fehling’s and
Benedict’s solutions only); starch (iodine test
only) and proteins (using the Ninhydrin test,
Xanthoporteic test, Biuret test and Millon’s test
only).

WAEC
Biology
SYLLABU
S
SN TOPICS OBJECTIVES
PART A
1 CONCEPT OF LIVING i. Living and non-living things

ii. Classification of living things into

Kingdoms: Monera, Protoctista (Protista),
Fungi, Plantae, Animalia.

iii. Differences between plants and animals

2 ORGANIZATION OF LIFE i. Cell (single-celled organisms): Amoeba,
Euglena, Paramecium

ii. Tissue: Hydra

 iii. Organ (storage organ) bulb, rhizome and
heart.

iv. System/Organ System: In mammals,

flowering plants – reproductive, excretory
systems, etc.

v. The complexity of organization in higher

organisms: advantages and disadvantages.

3 i. Single and free-living: Amoeba,

FORMS IN WHICH LIVING CELLS EXIST.
Paramecium, Euglena, and
Chlamydomonas

ii. Colony: Volvox

iii. Filament: Spirogyra

iv. Part of a living organism: Cheek cells,

onion root tip cells and epidermis of fleshy
leaves.
4 CELL i. Cell structure and functions of cell
components

ii. Similarities and differences between plant

and animal cells

iii. The Cell and its environment: Physical

and Biophysical processes;
(a) diffusion
(b) osmosis
(c) active transport

iv. Properties and functions of the living cell;

(a) Nutrition
(i) Autotrophic (photosynthesis)
(ii) Heterotrophic (holozoic)
5 CELLULAR RESPIRATION Definition and processes of:

i. aerobic respiration

ii. anaerobic respiration

iii. energy release

6 i. Excretion in single-celled aquatic
EXCRETION organisms. Diffusion by body surface and by
the contractile vacuole.
 ii. Waste products of metabolism
7 GROWTH i. Basis of growth – cell division (mitosis),
enlargement and differentiation.

ii. Aspects of growth: Increase in dry weight,

irreversible increase in size and length and
increase in the number of cells

iii. Regions of the fastest growth in plants

iv. Influence of growth hormones and auxins

v. Growth curvatures (Tropisms)

vi. Development: Enlargement and

differentiation

vii. Movement

a) Organelles for movement: cilia and

flagella

b) Cyclosis
8 REPRODUCTION Types of reproduction.

i. Asexual: fission, budding and vegetative

propagation.

ii. Sexual: Conjugation, formation of male

and female gametes (gametogenesis), a
fusion of gametes fertilization)
9 SKELETON AND SUPPORTING SYSTEMS
IN ANIMALS Biological significance.

i. Skeletal materials, e.g. bone

ii. Cartilage and chitin

iii. Types of skeleton

iv. The exoskeleton, endoskeleton and

hydrostatic skeleton.

v. Bones of the vertebral

 vi. Column, girdles and long bones of the
appendicular skeleton.

vii. Mechanism of support in animals.

viii. Functions of the skeleton in animals:

Protection, support, locomotion and
respiratory movement.
10 DIFFERENT TYPES OF SUPPORTING i. Main features of supporting tissues in
TISSUES IN PLANTS plants

ii. Functions of supporting tissues in plants:

strength, rigidity (resistance against the
forces of the wind and water), flexibility and
resilience
11 TRANSPORT SYSTEM i. Need for transport

a) surface area/volume ratio

b) substances have to move greater

distances.

ii. Transport in animals

a) Structure of the heart, arteries, veins and

capillaries.

b) Composition and function of blood and

lymph.

c) Materials for transport: excretory products,

gases, digested food, and other nutrients

iii. Transport in plants

a) Uptake and movement of water and

mineral salts in plants.

iv. Movement of water to the apex of trees

and herbs
12 RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
i. Body surface: cutaneous, gills and lungs

ii. Mechanisms of gaseous exchange in fish,

toads, mammals and plants.

13 EXCRETORY SYSTEM i. Excretory Systems and Mechanisms

 ii. Types of excretory systems: Kidney,
stomata and lenticels

iii. Characteristics of excretory organs in

these systems should be studied.

iv. Candidates should observe, draw and

label the excretory organs of a small
mammal (e.g. rat)

v. Explanation of the concept of excretion in

plants. Plant excretory products (water,
carbon dioxide, oxygen, alkaloids, tannins,
gums, resins and acids) should be
mentioned.
14 REGULATION OF INTERNAL
ENVIRONMENT (HOMEOSTASIS) i. Kidney: Structure and functions

ii. Liver

iii. Functions of the liver

iv. The skin: Structure and function

15 HORMONAL COORDINATION i. Animal hormones: Site of secretion,
functions and effects of over and under-
secretion

ii. Plant hormones

16 NERVOUS COORDINATION i. The central nervous system

a) Components of the central nervous

system

b) Parts of the brain and their functions;

cerebrum, cerebellum, medulla oblongata,
hypothalamus and their functions

c) Structure and function of the Spinal Cord.

ii. Peripheral Nervous System.

a) Somatic Nervous System

b) Autonomic nervous system

c) Structure and functions of the neurone

 d) Classification of neurones

iii. Types of nervous actions

a) The reflex arc

b) Reflex and voluntary actions

c) Differences between reflex and voluntary

actions.

d) Conditioned reflex and its role in the

behaviour
17 SENSE ORGANS i. Structure and function of the

a) Eye

b) Ear
18 THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM OF
MAMMALS i. The reproductive system of mammals

a) Structure and function of male and female

reproductive systems.
b) Differences between male and female
reproductive organs.
c) Structure of the gametes (sperm and
ovum)
d) Fertilization, development of the embryo
and birth.
e) Birth control

ii. Metamorphosis in insects, life histories of

butterfly and cockroach

iii. Comparison of reproduction in fish,

amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammal

iv. Reproduction in flowering plants

a) Arrangements of floral parts of a named
insect-pollinated flower and a named wind-
pollinated flower.
b) Structure and function of the male and
female parts of a flower.

v. Pollination in Plants
a) Types of pollination
b) Features of cross-pollinated and self-
pollinated flowers
c) Agents of Pollination
 vi. Process of development of zygote in
flowering plants
a) Fertilization
b) Types of fruits (classification).
c) Structure of fruits

vii. Dispersal of fruits and seeds: Agents of

dispersal
19 PLANT AND ANIMAL NUTRITION 1. Plant Nutrition

i. Photosynthesis:

Process of photosynthesis and its chemical

equation

Light and dark reactions

Materials and conditions necessary for

photosynthesis

Evidence of photosynthesis

ii. Mineral requirement of plants

Mineral nutrition: Macro and micro-nutrients

Soil and atmosphere as sources of mineral

elements

2. Animal Nutrition

i. Food substances; classes and sources

ii. A balanced diet and its importance

iii. Digestive enzymes: Classes,

characteristics and functions

iv. Modes of Nutrition

a) Autotrophic: Photosynthesis,

b) Heterotrophic: holozoic, parasitic,

symbiotic and saprophytic

v. Alimentary System: Alimentary tract of

different animals
 vi. Dental Formula

vii. Feeding in protozoa and mammals

20 BASIC ECOLOGICAL CONCEPTS i. Ecosystem: Components of the
ecosystem and sizes
a) Ecological components: environment,
biosphere, habitat, population, biotic
community and ecosystem
b) Components of the ecosystem: Biotic and
abiotic

ii. Ecological factors: Ecological factors in

aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems

iii. Simple Measurement of Ecological

Factors.
a) Physical factors: Climatic, topographic
and gaseous.
b) Edaphic factors: Chemical and physical
composition, moisture content and soil
texture

iv. Food webs and trophic levels

a) Autotrophs and Heterotrophs
• Producers: autotrophs
• Consumers: heterotrophs
• Decomposers
b) The trophic levels energy relationship
• Food chain
• Food web

v. Energy flow
a) Food/Energy relationship in the aquatic
and terrestrial environment.
b) Pyramid of energy and the Pyramid of
numbers.

vi. Decomposition in nature

a) Decomposers: (micro and macro-
decomposers)
b) Gaseous products
c) Role of decomposers

vii. Ecological Management:

a) Biological Associations
b) Type of associations: Parasitism,
symbiosis, commensalism and
saprophytism.
c) Adaptation of organisms to habitats.

viii. Pollution of the atmosphere

a) Nature, names, sources and effects of air
pollutants
b) Effect of noise

ix. Water and Soil Pollution

a) Type and effects of pollutants

x. Ecology of population
a) Ecological succession

• Structural changes in species composition,

variety or diversity and increase in numbers.

• General characteristics and outcomes of

succession
b) Primary succession
c) Succession in terrestrial and aquatic
habitats.
d) Secondary succession, the climax of the
succession: characteristic of a stable
ecosystem

xi. Factors that affect the population size:

natality, mortality, emigration, immigration,
food shortage, predation, competition and
diseases.

xii. Preservation and storage of foods

xiii. The life of selected insects;

a) Weevils and cotton strainers
b) Control of pests

xiv. Microorganisms: Man and health

a) Carriers of microorganisms
b) Microorganisms in action
• Beneficial effects in nature, medicine and
industries.
• Harmful effects of micro-organisms,
diseases caused by microorganisms:
cholera, measles, malaria and ringworm
c) Towards Better Health
• Methods of .controlling harmful
microorganisms: high temperature,
antibiotics, antiseptics, high salinity and
dehydration.
• Ways of controlling the vectors
 d) Public Health: The importance of the
following towards the maintenance of good
health practices:
• Refuse and sewage disposal.
• Immunization, vaccination and inoculation
(control of diseases)

21 CONSERVATION OF NATURAL i. Resources to be conserved: soil, water,

RESOURCES wildlife, forest and minerals.

ii. Ways of ensuring conservation

WAEC Physics SYLLABUS

SN TOPICS OBJECTIVES
PART I: INTERACTION OF MATTER, SPACE AND TIME
1 CONCEPT OF MATTER
2 FUNDAMENTAL AND DERIVED i. Fundamental quantities and units
QUANTITIES

ii. Derived quantities and units

3 POSITION, DISTANCE AND DISPLACEMENT i. Concept of position as a location of point-
rectangular coordinates.

ii. Measurement of distance

iii. Concept of direction as a way of locating

a point–bearing

iv. The distinction between distance and

displacement
4 MASS AND WEIGHT
i. The distinction between mass and weight
5 TIME i. Concept of time as an interval between
physical events

ii. Measurement of time

6 FLUID AT REST i. Volume, density and relative density

ii. Pressure in fluids

iii. Equilibrium of bodies

iv. Archimedes’ principle

v. Law of flotation
7 MOTION i. Types of motion: Random, rectilinear,
translational, Rotational, circular, orbital,
spin, Oscillatory.
7 MOTION

ii. Relative motion

iii. Cause of motion

iv. Types of force:

a) Contact force

b) Non-contact force(field force)

v. Solid friction

vi. Viscosity (friction in fluids)

vii. Simple ideas of circular motion

8 SPEED AND VELOCITY i. Concept of speed as a change of distance
with time

ii. Concept of velocity as a change of

displacement with time

iii. Uniform/non-uniform speed/velocity

iv. Distance/displacement-time graph

9 PERCENTAGES Simple interest, commission, discount,
depreciation, profit and loss, compound
interest, hire purchase, and percentage error.

10 FINANCIAL ARITHMETIC (i) Depreciation/ Amortization

(ii) Annuities

(iii) Capital Market Instruments

11 VARIATION Direct, inverse, partial, and joint variations.

PART II: ALGEBRAIC PROCESSES

16 ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSIONS (i) Formulating algebraic expressions from
given situations

( ii ) Evaluation of algebraic expressions

17 SIMPLE OPERATIONS ON ALGEBRAIC ( i ) Expansion
EXPRESSIONS

(ii ) Factorization

(iii) Binary Operations

18 SOLUTIONS OF LINEAR EQUATION (i) Linear equations in one variable
18 SOLUTIONS OF LINEAR EQUATION

(ii) Simultaneous linear equations in two

variables.
19 CHANGE OF A SUBJECT OF (i) Change of subject of a formula/relation
FORMULA/RELATION

(ii) Substitution
20 QUADRATIC EQUATIONS (i) Solution of quadratic equations

(ii) Forming quadratic equation with given

roots.

(iii) Application of solution of quadratic

equation in practical problems.
21 GRAPHS OF LINEAR & QUADRATIC (i) Interpretation of graphs, coordinate of
FUNCTIONS points, table of values, drawing quadratic
graphs and obtaining roots from graphs.

( ii ) Graphical solution of a pair of equations

of the form: y = ax\(^{2}\) + bx + c and y =
mx + k *

(iii) Drawing tangents to curves to determine

the gradient at a given point.
22 LINEAR INEQUALITIES (i) Solution of linear inequalities in one
variable and representation on the number
line.

∗(ii) Graphical solution of linear inequalities

in two variables.

∗(iii) Graphical solution of simultaneous

linear inequalities in two variables.
23 ALGEBRAIC FUNCTIONS Operations on algebraic fractions with:

(i) Monomial denominators

( ii ) Binomial denominators
24 FUNCTIONS AND RELATIONS Types of Functions
PART III: MENSURATION
25 LENGTHS & PERIMETERS (i) Use of Pythagoras theorem, sine and
cosine rules to determine lengths and
distances.

(ii) Lengths of arcs of circles, perimeters of

sectors and segments.

(iii) Longitudes and Latitudes.

26 AREAS
(i) Triangles and special quadrilaterals –
rectangles, parallelograms and trapeziums

(ii) Circles, sectors and segments of circles.

(iii) Surface areas of cubes, cuboids,

cylinder, pyramids, righttriangular prisms,
cones andspheres.
27 VOLUMES (i) Volumes of cubes, cuboids, cylinders,
cones, right pyramids and spheres.

(ii) Volumes of similar solids

PART IV: PLANE GEOMETRY
28 ANGLES (i) Angles at a point add up to 360°.

(ii) Adjacent angles on a straight line are

supplementary.

(iii) Vertically opposite angles are equal.

28 ANGLES & INTERCEPTS AT PARALLEL (i) Alternate angles are equal.
LINES

(ii)Corresponding angles are equal.

(iii)Interior opposite angles are

supplementary

(iv) Intercept theorem.

29 TRIANGLES AND POLYGONS (i) The sum of the angles of a triangle is 2
right angles.

(ii) The exterior angle of a triangle equals the

sum of the two interior opposite angles.

(iii) Congruent triangles.

( iv ) Properties of special triangles –

Isosceles, equilateral, right-angled, etc

(v) Properties of special

quadrilaterals – parallelogram, rhombus,

square, rectangle, trapezium.

( vi )Properties of similar triangles.

 ( vii ) The sum of the angles of a polygon

(viii) Property of exterior angles of a polygon.

(ix) Parallelograms on the same base and

between the same parallels are equal in
area.
30 CIRCLES (i) Chords.

(ii) The angle which an arc of a circle

subtends at the centre of the circle is twice
that which it subtends at any point on the
remaining part of the circumference.

(iii) Any angle subtended at the

circumference by a diameter is a right angle.
(iv) Angles in the same segment are equal.

(v) Angles in opposite segments are

supplementary.

(vi)Perpendicularity of tangent and radius.

(vii)If a tangent is drawn to a circle and from

the point of contact a chord is drawn, each
angle which this chord makes with the
tangent is equal to the angle in the alternate
segment.
31 CONSTRUCTION (i) Bisectors of angles and line segments

(ii) Line parallel or perpendicular to a given

line.

(iii )Angles e.g. 90°, 60°, 45°, 30°, and an

angle equal to a given angle.

(iv) Triangles and quadrilaterals from

sufficient data.
32 LOCI Knowledge of the loci listed below and their
intersections in 2 dimensions.

(i) Points at a given distance from a given

point.

(ii) Points equidistant from two given points.

 (iii)Points equidistant from two given straight
lines.

(iv)Points at a given distance from a given

straight line
PART V: COORDINATE GEOMETRY OF STRAIGHT LINES
33 CO-ORDINATE GEOMETRY OF STRAIGHT (i) Concept of the x-y plane.
LINES

(ii) Coordinates of points on the x-y plane.

PART VI: TRIGONOMETRY
34 SINE, COSINE AND TANGENT OF AN (i) Sine, Cosine and Tangent of acute
ANGLE angles.

(ii) Use of tables of trigonometric ratios.

(iii) Trigonometric ratios of 30°, 45° and 60°.

(iv) Sine, cosine and tangent of angles from

0° to 360°.

(v)Graphs of sine and cosine.

(vi) Graphs of trigonometric ratios

35 ANGLES IF ELEVATION & DEPRESSION (i) Calculating angles of elevation and
depression.

(ii) Application to heights and distances.

36 BEARINGS (i) Bearing of one point from another.

(ii) Calculation of distances and angles

PART VI: INTRODUCTORY CALCULUS
40 INTRODUCTORY CALCULUS (i) Differentiation of algebraic functions.

(i) Differentiation of algebraic functions.

(ii) Integration of simple Algebraic functions.

PART VII: STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY
41 STATISTICS (i) Frequency distribution

( ii ) Pie charts, bar charts, histograms and

frequency polygons

(iii) Mean, median and mode for both

discrete and grouped data.
 (iv) Cumulative frequency curve (Ogive).

(v) Measures of Dispersion: range, semi

inter-quartile/interquartile range, variance,
mean deviation and standard deviation.
42 PROBABILITY
(i) Experimental and theoretical probability.

(ii) Addition of probabilities for mutually

exclusive and independent events.

(iii) Multiplication of probabilities for

independent events.
PART VIII: VECTORS & TRANSFORMATION
43 VECTORS IN A PLANE (i) Vectors as a directed line segment.

(ii) Cartesian components of a vector

(iii) Magnitude of a vector, equal vectors,

addition and subtraction of vectors, zero
vector, parallel vectors, multiplication of a
vector by scalar.
44 TRANSFORMATION IN THE CARTESIAN (i) Reflection of points and shapes in the
PLANE Cartesian Plane.

(ii) Rotation of points and shapes in the

Cartesian Plane.

(iii) Translation of points and shapes in the

Cartesian Plane.