I’m writing this guide to help you understand what to read for NECO 2026 in a clear way. I know many students feel tired or confused when they see long syllabuses; so I made this one simple. You will see the exact topics examiners like to set every year.
What this guide will help you do
I’m going to show you the areas of concentration for English, Math, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Government, Commerce, and other subjects. You will see tables that break everything down so you know where to put your energy.
Why NECO candidates should care about areas of concentration
Let me ask you; do you want to stop wasting time on topics that never come out? If your answer is yes, then these areas of concentration will help you read smart and save time.
Most NECO questions come from the same groups of topics each year, so knowing them will help you score higher with less stress.
What Are NECO Areas of Concentration?
Meaning in simple English
Areas of concentration are the main topics examiners expect you to read very well. These topics appear in the NECO syllabus, past questions, and examiner reports.
Think of it like this; if the full syllabus is a big farm, areas of concentration are the parts where the crops always grow.
So when you read these key topics well, you already cover most of what NECO wants.
How examiners use the syllabus
NECO examiners don’t pick questions randomly. They use the official syllabus from NECO to choose topics. But the thing is, some topics get picked again and again because they help examiners test if you truly understand a subject.
That is why studying past questions and knowing these areas will save you a lot of stress.
Have you noticed how some questions look familiar every year? That is why.
How NECO Sets Questions in 2026
Topics that repeat almost every year
I’ve checked past NECO papers from different years, and one thing is clear; examiners like to bring questions from the same groups of topics.
Why? Because these topics show if you understand the subject well.
For example:
- English always brings comprehension and summary.
- Math always brings algebra, geometry, and word problems.
- Biology always brings cells, reproduction, and ecology.
When you master these areas, you already cover a big part of your exam.
Do you remember seeing the same type of questions in JSS3 exams too? It’s the same idea here.
Topics examiners use to test understanding
Some topics are not hard, but NECO uses them to check if you can think. These questions may not repeat word for word; but the style stays the same.
For example:
- Chemistry will test basic calculations like molar mass.
- Physics will test simple machines or electricity.
- Government will test forms of government and political concepts.
So the trick is simple; master the common topics, then practice how to answer them well.
Full List of 2026 Areas of Concentration (Tables)
I made these tables simple so you can see the main topics for each subject in view. These are the topics examiners use most often.
Table 1: Science Subjects and Key Focus Areas
| Subject | 2026 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 | 2026 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 for you; do you already know the subjects you want to focus on more, or do you plan to read everything evenly?
Read also: How to Finish the NECO Syllabus Before Exams
English Language 2026 Areas of Concentration
Key topics students must know
English may look wide, but the truth is; most questions come from a small set of topics. When you focus on these areas, you will find the exam easier.
Here are the main things NECO loves to bring:
- Comprehension passages; you must learn how to pick answers from the passage.
- Summary writing; practice how to write short and clear points.
- Essay writing; letter writing, speech writing, and story writing come out often.
- Grammar; parts of speech, concord, pronouns, adjectives, and tenses.
- Oral English; stress patterns, vowel sounds, and consonant sounds.
If you can do well in comprehension, summary, grammar, and essays, you already secure more than half of your marks.
Let me ask you; do you find comprehension easier than summary, or is it the other way around?
How to read English for NECO
You don’t need big grammar books. Just use these simple steps:
- Read past questions and check how the examiners set their passages.
- Write short essays twice a week; simple topics like “My School Day” will help you build skill.
- Practice summary by turning long paragraphs into 3 or 4 short points.
- Listen to radio news; it helps you with pronunciation for Oral English.
Try to read a little every day instead of waiting till exam week. It helps your brain remember better.
Mathematics 2025 Areas of Concentration
Main topics to focus on
Math can feel hard, but NECO repeats many of the same ideas. If you focus on these key areas, you will see that most questions come from here:
- Algebra; simple equations, quadratic equations, and word problems
- Geometry; shapes, angles, triangles, and constructions
- Graphs; linear graphs and simple curves
- Statistics; mean, median, mode, and simple probability
- Trigonometry basics; sine, cosine, and tangent for right triangles
- Number bases and sets; easy marks if you practice them
- Mensuration; area and volume of shapes
Most students lose marks in Math because they fear it; but once you understand a few key rules, the questions will look familiar.
Do you enjoy algebra or do you prefer geometry?
Simple study tips you can use
Math needs practice; not cramming. You can try these steps:
- Solve 5 to 10 questions every day; even if they are small ones.
- Start with easy topics; it builds your confidence.
- When you miss a question, check why; don’t move on until you understand it.
- Use a small book to write formulas you want to remember.
- Use past questions from NECO or any trusted source.
If you solve past NECO questions for two weeks straight, you will see that many questions have the same style.
Biology 2026 Areas of Concentration
Topics that usually come out
Biology is one of the subjects with the highest number of repeated topics. NECO examiners like to stay close to the syllabus, and they pick questions from areas that check understanding, not just memory.
Here are the main topics you should pay close attention to:
- Cells and cell structure
- Tissues and how living things are organised
- Nutrition; especially photosynthesis and food tests
- Respiration and excretion
- Reproduction in plants and animals
- Genetics; simple crosses, dominance, and variation
- Ecology; food chains, food webs, energy flow
- Diseases; causes, prevention, and control
- Pollution and conservation
If you cover these topics well, you already cover a major part of the Biology paper.
Let me ask you; do you prefer reading Biology with diagrams, or plain notes?
How to read Biology the right way
Biology is easier when you use diagrams and simple notes. You don’t need to cram long paragraphs.
Try these tips:
- Draw diagrams for each topic; your brain remembers pictures faster.
- Use past questions so you understand how NECO frames definitions.
- Read your notes out loud; it helps retention.
- Study in short chunks; 20–30 minutes at a time.
Most students who pass Biology do one thing: they use diagrams a lot. Try it.
Chemistry 2025 Areas of Concentration
Must–read topics
Chemistry can scare many students, but NECO does not usually bring strange questions. They use common topics you can understand with steady practice.
Focus on these main areas:
- 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 and Charles’s law
- Mole concepts and simple calculations
- Rates of reaction; factors that affect them
- Organic chemistry basics; alkanes, alkenes, alkynes
Once you understand mole calculations and acids/bases, Chemistry becomes much easier.
Which part of Chemistry do you find easier; calculations or theory?
How to answer calculation questions
Most students lose marks in Chemistry because they rush calculations. You don’t need to rush; you just need steps.
Try this:
- Write the formula first; don’t jump into solving.
- Put your values carefully into the formula.
- Keep your units simple; many marks are lost because of wrong units.
- Practice at least 5 calculation questions every two days.
If you solve past NECO Chemistry papers, you will notice that the calculation style stays almost the same every year.
Physics 2026 Areas of Concentration
Topics that repeat a lot
Physics looks hard at first, but NECO repeats many of the same ideas every year. If you understand the basics, the questions will not scare you.
Here are the key areas you should focus on:
- 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
If you can solve simple electricity and motion questions, you already secure a lot of marks in Physics.
Which area of Physics scares you most; electricity or calculations?
How to prepare for theory and objective
Physics theory looks long, but it’s mostly definitions and short explanations. Objective questions are usually straightforward.
Here’s how to prepare:
- Write key formulas in a small note and read it daily.
- Draw diagrams when reading; especially lenses, mirrors, and machines.
- Solve past questions to see how NECO frames their calculations.
- Use simple units; don’t mix cm, m, and mm carelessly.
Most questions will make sense once you understand the formula behind them.
Topics you should not skip
Government can feel like a lot of memorization, but NECO usually focuses on key areas. Pay attention to these topics:
- 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
If you read these topics well, you already cover most of the Government paper.
Do you prefer reading notes or listening to history/government stories? Listening can sometimes make it easier to remember.
How to remember facts easily
Government is mostly memorization, but you can make it simple:
- Make short notes or bullet points for each topic.
- Use past questions to see how NECO asks about these topics.
- Repeat aloud; reading out loud helps memory.
- Relate history to real-life examples; it makes it easier to recall in the exam.
Students who score high in Government usually read short notes daily instead of long paragraphs at once.
Commerce 2026 Areas of Concentration
Main areas to focus on
Commerce is mostly about business and trade, and NECO likes questions that test understanding, not memorization alone. Focus on these topics:
- Business units; sole proprietorship, partnership, and companies
- Trade; domestic and international trade, import/export basics
- Banking; functions, types of banks, bank services
- Insurance; types, importance, and claims
- Marketing; channels, advertising, and sales
- Transportation and communication; road, rail, air, water transport, and communication methods
Most students who ignore these topics end up losing marks in Commerce. Don’t skip them.
Reading pattern that works
Commerce is easier if you read smart:
- Make a list of all definitions; memorize them in chunks.
- Relate topics to real-life; for example, think about your local market for trade questions.
- Solve past questions; NECO usually asks similar questions every year.
- Discuss topics with friends; talking about them helps understanding.
If you follow this pattern, you will remember more and spend less time before exams.
Mistakes students make
Many students make the same mistakes when using areas of concentration:
- Reading only them and ignoring past questions
- Memorizing without understanding
- Trying to cover all subjects at once
- Waiting until the last week before the exam
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 plan that works well:
- Pick one subject per day; focus on its key topics.
- Read for 30–40 minutes; take a short break, then revise notes.
- Practice past questions on the topics you read.
- Repeat the same subjects weekly; it helps your brain remember.
- Use diagrams and short notes for science subjects and formulas for Math and Physics.
If you follow this simple routine, you can cover all subjects without stress and still remember what you read.
FAQs
1. Is this the same thing as the NECO syllabus?
Not exactly. The NECO syllabus lists all topics, but areas of concentration highlight the ones NECO usually tests. It’s a shorter, smarter way to focus your study.
2. Will NECO repeat past questions?
Sometimes yes, but not word-for-word. NECO often uses the same style of questions, so practicing past questions helps you guess what’s likely to 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 NECO past questions?
You can download free past questions from NECO official website or buy affordable booklets from local bookstores. Practicing them is key to understanding areas of concentration.
Conclusion
NECO 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.
The 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 don’t panic 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, start with its areas of concentration, and practice. You’ll see results faster than you expect.
