I’m writing this guide to help you understand what to read for WAEC in a clear and simple way. I know many students feel lost when they see the long syllabus; this guide will show you the topics that are most important.
What this guide will help you do
I will show you the WAEC areas of concentration for English, Math, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Government, Commerce, and other subjects. You will see tables and lists that make it easy to focus your energy on what will come out in the exam.
Why WAEC candidates should care about areas of concentration
Let me ask you; do you want to stop wasting time on topics that hardly appear in the exam? If your answer is yes, this guide is for you.
Most WAEC questions come from the same set of topics every year, so knowing these areas will help you score better without studying everything in the syllabus.
What Are WAEC Areas of Concentration?
Meaning in simple English
WAEC areas of concentration are the main topics examiners expect you to know very well. These are the parts of the syllabus and past questions that keep coming back.
Think of it like this: if the full syllabus is a big field, areas of concentration are the parts where the crops always grow. Focus here, and you already cover most of the exam.
How examiners use the syllabus
WAEC examiners don’t pick questions randomly. They follow the official syllabus from WAEC but usually select topics that test understanding more than memorization.
If you notice, some questions look familiar every year. That’s why studying areas of concentration is smarter than reading the entire syllabus at once.
How WAEC Sets Questions Each Year
Topics that repeat almost every year
From past WAEC papers, one thing is clear: examiners like to repeat questions from certain topics. This helps them test if students really understand the subject.
For example:
- English always brings comprehension, summary, and essays.
- Math always brings algebra, geometry, and word problems.
- Biology always brings cells, reproduction, and ecology.
If you master these topics, you already cover a big portion of the exam.
Have you noticed how some questions feel familiar year after year? That’s why focusing on key topics saves time.
Topics examiners use to test understanding
Some topics may not repeat exactly, but the style of questions stays the same.
Examples:
- Chemistry: mole calculations, acids, and bases
- Physics: simple machines and electricity
- Government: forms of government, elections, and civil service
Master the common topics, and you will feel confident answering any version WAEC sets.
Full List of WAEC Areas of Concentration (Tables)
These tables are made simple so you can see the key topics at a glance. These are the topics WAEC usually sets questions from.
Table 1: Science Subjects and Key Focus Areas
| Subject | Areas of Concentration |
| Biology | Cells; Tissues; Nutrition; Photosynthesis; Reproduction; Genetics; Ecology; Diseases; Pollution |
| Chemistry | Acids and Bases; Salts; Separation Techniques; Periodic Table; Chemical Bonding; Gas Laws; Calculations; Organic Chemistry basics |
| Physics | Motion; Machines; Work and Energy; Electricity; Magnetism; Light; Sound; Heat Energy; Measurements |
| Agricultural Science | Soil; Crop Production; Animal Husbandry; Farm Tools; Pests and Diseases; Agricultural Practices |
| Health Science | Human Body Systems; First Aid; Diseases; Hygiene; Nutrition |
Table 2: Arts / Commercial Subjects and Key Focus Areas
| Subject | Areas of Concentration |
| English Language | Comprehension; Summary; Grammar; Essay Writing; Oral English |
| Mathematics | Algebra; Geometry; Word Problems; Graphs; Statistics; Trigonometry basics |
| Government | Forms of Government; Constitution; Political Values; Colonial Rule; Public Opinion; Civil Service |
| Commerce | Business Units; Trade; Banking; Insurance; Marketing; Transportation; Communication |
| Economics | Demand; Supply; Production; Market Structures; National Income; Money; Inflation |
| Literature | Poetry Analysis; Prose Themes; Drama Characters; Literary Devices |
| CRS/IRS | Life of Jesus/Prophets; Moral Lessons; Religious Practices; Scriptures |
Quick question: do you already know which subjects you want to focus on first, or will you read them all evenly?
English Language WAEC Areas of Concentration
Key topics students must know
English may look wide, but most WAEC questions come from a few repeated areas. Focus on these:
- Comprehension passages; learn how to pick answers from the passage
- Summary writing; practice writing short and clear points
- Essay writing; letters, speeches, and story writing appear often
- Grammar; parts of speech, tenses, pronouns, adjectives, and concord
- Oral English; pronunciation, stress patterns, and common vowel sounds
If you can do comprehension, summary, grammar, and essays well, you already secure more than half of your marks.
Which do you find easier; comprehension or summary?
How to read English for WAEC
You don’t need big grammar books; try these simple steps:
- Read past questions and notice how WAEC sets passages
- Write short essays twice a week on topics like “My School Day”
- Practice summarizing paragraphs into 3–4 points
- Listen to news or radio; it helps with oral English
Reading a little every day beats cramming in the last week.
Mathematics WAEC Areas of Concentration
Main topics to focus on
Math looks difficult, but WAEC often repeats questions from key areas. Focus on these:
- Algebra; equations, quadratic equations, and word problems
- Geometry; shapes, angles, triangles, and constructions
- Graphs; linear graphs and curves
- Statistics; mean, median, mode, and probability
- Trigonometry basics; sine, cosine, and tangent for right triangles
- Number bases and sets; basic questions appear often
- Mensuration; area and volume of shapes
Many students lose marks because they fear Math; but if you practice these key areas, the questions become familiar.
Which part do you enjoy more; algebra or geometry?
Simple study tips you can use
Math is about practice, not memorization:
- Solve 5–10 questions every day
- Start with easy topics to build confidence
- Check mistakes carefully; understand why you missed them
- Keep a small formula book for quick revision
- Solve past WAEC questions; you’ll notice similar styles every year
Practice is the key to scoring in Math.
Biology WAEC Areas of Concentration
Topics that usually come out
Biology often repeats topics, so if you focus on the high-frequency areas, you cover most of the paper:
- Cells and cell structure
- Tissues and organization of living things
- Nutrition; including photosynthesis and food tests
- Respiration and excretion
- Reproduction in plants and animals
- Genetics; inheritance, variation, dominance
- Ecology; food chains, energy flow, ecosystems
- Diseases; causes, prevention, control
- Pollution and conservation
Covering these topics well gives you a strong chance of scoring high marks.
Do you prefer reading Biology with diagrams or plain notes? Diagrams help memory a lot.
How to read Biology the right way
- Draw diagrams for each topic; visuals help you remember better
- Use past questions to understand how WAEC asks definitions
- Read notes aloud; it helps retention
- Study in short 20–30 minute chunks
Students who use diagrams and past questions often score higher in Biology.
Chemistry WAEC Areas of Concentration
Must-read topics
Chemistry can feel tricky, but WAEC usually asks common topics. Focus on these:
- Acids, bases, and salts
- Mixtures and separation techniques; filtration, distillation, chromatography
- Periodic table; groups, periods, trends
- Chemical bonding; ionic, covalent, metallic
- Gas laws; Boyle’s law, Charles’s law
- Mole concepts and calculations
- Rates of reaction; factors affecting them
- Organic chemistry basics; alkanes, alkenes, alkynes
Once you understand calculations and acids/bases, Chemistry becomes easier.
Which part do you find harder; calculations or theory?
How to answer calculation questions
- Write the formula first; don’t jump to solving
- Substitute values carefully
- Keep units simple; many marks are lost due to wrong units
- Practice 5 calculation questions every two days
Past WAEC papers show that calculation styles rarely change.
Physics WAEC Areas of Concentration
Topics that repeat a lot
Physics often repeats similar questions every year. Focus on these key areas:
- Motion; speed, velocity, acceleration
- Machines; levers, pulleys, gears
- Work, energy, and power
- Electricity; current, voltage, resistance, Ohm’s law
- Magnetism; magnetic fields, electromagnets
- Light; reflection, refraction, lenses
- Sound; echo, frequency, pitch
- Heat; expansion, heat transfer
- Measurements and units
Master simple electricity and motion questions, and you already secure many marks.
Which area scares you more; electricity or calculations?
How to prepare for theory and objective
- Write formulas in a small note and revise daily
- Draw diagrams for lenses, mirrors, and machines
- Solve past questions to understand calculation style
- Keep units consistent; avoid mixing cm, m, mm
Most Physics questions make sense once you know the formulas.
Government WAEC Areas of Concentration
Topics you should not skip
Government looks like memorization, but WAEC usually focuses on these key areas:
- Forms of government; democracy, monarchy, dictatorship
- Constitution; roles, rights, and duties
- Political values; participation, accountability, rule of law
- Colonial rule in Nigeria; history and impact
- Public opinion and elections
- Civil service and government institutions
Reading these topics well covers most of the Government paper.
Do you prefer reading notes or listening to stories? Listening sometimes helps you remember better.
How to remember facts easily
- Make short notes or bullet points for each topic
- Check past questions to see how WAEC frames questions
- Repeat aloud; reading out loud improves memory
- Relate topics to real-life examples; it makes recall easier
Students who study short notes daily often score high in Government.
Commerce WAEC Areas of Concentration
Main areas to focus on
Commerce is about business and trade. WAEC usually tests understanding, not memorization. Focus on:
- Business units; sole proprietorship, partnership, companies
- Trade; domestic and international, import/export basics
- Banking; functions, types of banks, bank services
- Insurance; types, importance, claims
- Marketing; advertising, sales, channels
- Transportation and communication; road, rail, air, water, communication methods
Ignoring these topics can cost marks, so don’t skip them.
Reading pattern that works
- Make a list of definitions and memorize in chunks
- Relate topics to real-life examples, like your local market for trade
- Solve past questions; WAEC repeats styles every year
- Discuss topics with friends; talking helps understanding
Following this pattern helps you remember more with less stress.
How to Use WAEC Areas of Concentration Correctly
Mistakes students make
Many students make the same mistakes:
- Reading only areas of concentration without practicing past questions
- Memorizing without understanding
- Trying to cover all subjects at once
- Waiting until the last week to study
The thing is, areas of concentration work best when you combine them with practice and regular revision.
Simple plan you can follow every week
Here’s a simple follow up:
- Pick one subject per day; focus on its key topics
- Read for 30–40 minutes, then take a short break and revise notes
- Practice past questions on the topics you read
- Repeat subjects weekly; repetition helps memory
- Use diagrams, short notes, and formulas for science and Math
Following this routine lets you cover all subjects without stress and helps you remember more.
FAQs
1. Is this the same thing as the WAEC syllabus?
Not exactly. The WAEC syllabus lists all topics, but areas of concentration highlight the ones WAEC usually tests. It’s a shorter, smarter way to focus your study.
2. Will WAEC repeat past questions?
Sometimes yes, but not word-for-word. WAEC often uses the same style of questions, so practicing past questions helps you guess what might come out.
3. Can I pass by reading only areas of concentration?
You can score decent marks, but combining areas of concentration with past questions is the best way to secure a high score.
4. How many hours should I read per day?
Aim for 2–4 hours daily spread across 2–3 sessions. Short, regular reading beats long cramming sessions.
5. Where can I get free WAEC past questions?
You can download free past questions from WAEC official website or buy affordable booklets from local bookstores. Practicing them is key to understanding areas of concentration.
Conclusion
WAEC areas of concentration are your shortcut to smarter study. They help you focus on topics that appear most in the exam, saving time and stress.
Key points to remember:
- Focus on high-frequency topics in each subject
- Combine reading with past questions for better understanding
- Use short notes, diagrams, and formulas to remember faster
- Study regularly in small chunks instead of cramming
- Keep a steady routine and stay calm during exams
If you follow these tips, you can improve your score and feel confident walking into the exam hall.
Now it’s your turn; pick a subject, focus on its areas of concentration, and practice consistently. You’ll see results faster than you expect.
