WAEC RELEASES NEW SUBJECT COMBINATION FOR 2026 EXAMINATION

WAEC RELEASES NEW SUBJECT COMBINATION FOR 2026 EXAMINATION

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has officially released the revised subject combinations for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), introducing significant changes that will reshape subject selection across secondary schools in Nigeria and other West African countries.

According to the new arrangement, Science students will no longer be allowed to register for Economics, while students in the Humanities — including those offering Literature, Government, or History — are also barred from taking Economics. The subject will henceforth be restricted to students in the Business or Commercial department.

WAEC reaffirmed that every candidate must register for a minimum of seven (7) and a maximum of nine (9) subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, which remain compulsory. The structure, according to the examination body, is designed to ensure focus, specialization, and alignment with the students’ chosen fields of study.

Compulsory Subjects for All Candidates

WAEC listed three subjects as mandatory for all candidates, irrespective of their study area:

English Language
Mathematics
Civic Education

These are considered cross-cutting subjects that apply to Science, Art, and Commercial students alike.

WAEC Subject Combination for Science Students (2026/2027)

The new subject combination for Science students focuses on practical and theoretical aspects of science-related disciplines. Students are to register for a mix of compulsory and elective science subjects, which may include:

English Language
Mathematics
Civic Education
Physics
Chemistry
Biology
Geography
Agricultural Science
(Optional) Further Mathematics, Technical Drawing, or a Nigerian language (Yoruba, Igbo, or Hausa)

WAEC Subject Combination for Art Students (2026/2027)

For Art students, the new subject list emphasizes languages, literature, and humanities. The approved subjects include:

English Language
Mathematics
Civic Education
Literature in English
Government or History
Christian Religious Studies (CRS) or Islamic Religious Studies (IRS)
A Nigerian Language (Yoruba, Igbo, or Hausa)
(Optional) Arabic Studies, French, or Agricultural Science

WAEC Subject Combination for Commercial Students (2026/2027)

Students in the Commercial department will continue to take business-oriented subjects, with Economics now exclusively reserved for them. The approved subject combination includes:

English Language
Mathematics
Civic Education
Economics
Accounting
Commerce
Government
Office Practice
(Optional) Bookkeeping, Further Mathematics, or a Nigerian Language

WAEC Trade Subjects (2026/2027)

In line with the Federal Government’s policy on entrepreneurship education, WAEC reaffirmed that every student must take at least one Trade or Entrepreneurship subject. These are designed to equip candidates with practical skills and enhance employability after graduation.

There are 35 trade subjects in total, including:
Animal Husbandry, Catering Craft Practice, Data Processing, Electrical Works, Furniture Making, Garment Making, GSM Phone Maintenance, Marketing, Plumbing, Tourism, Welding and Fabrication, among others.

These trade subjects provide students with hands-on experience and prepare them for self-reliance in a rapidly evolving job market.

Guidelines for Subject Selection

WAEC outlined new criteria for subject selection to guide schools and candidates:

Each student must take four compulsory cross-cutting subjects, including one Trade/Entrepreneurship subject.
Students may choose between two (2) and five (5) subjects from their main field of study.
The total number of subjects must fall between eight (8) and nine (9).

This structure aims to balance specialization with flexibility, allowing students to explore their interests without exceeding the required limit.

The new WAEC subject combination policy takes effect from the 2026/2027 academic session, meaning students currently in SS2 will be the first set to sit for the examination under the new guidelines.

WAEC noted that the adjustment was made to streamline subject relevance, reduce overlap across disciplines, and improve educational outcomes in line with the Federal Ministry of Education’s curriculum reform.

For more verified education updates, follow Segio Campus Reports on all platforms.