WAEC Chemistry Practical Specimen 2026/2027: Complete Guide, Equipment List, Alternatives

The WAEC Chemistry Practical examination remains one of the most decisive papers in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). Every year, thousands of candidates loose valuable marks not because they lack intelligence, but because they are unfamiliar with the official WAEC Chemistry Practical Specimen and how to use it effectively.

For the 2026/2027 WAEC session, the West African Examination Council (WAEC) is set to release WAEC Chemistry Practical Specimen 2026/2027 batch of practical specimens to guide school candidates in their laboratory preparation. These specimens outline the exact apparatus, reagents, labelled solutions, and practical areas that are likely to be tested.

In this comprehensive guide, you will learn:

• What the WAEC Chemistry Practical Specimen 2026/2027 contains

• The full list of equipment and reagents

• Alternative A and Alternative B explained

• Common mistakes candidates make

• Expert tips to score high in the practical exam

NOTE: If you are serious about passing Chemistry with an excellent grade, this guide WAEC Chemistry Practical Specimen 2026 is a must-read.

WAEC Chemistry Practical

What Is the WAEC Chemistry Practical Specimen 2026/2027?

The WAEC Chemistry Practical Specimen is an official document released by WAEC to help schools and candidates prepare for the practical examination.

It shows:

• The type of experiments to expect

• The reagents and chemicals that will be provided

• The apparatus you must know how to use

• The labelled solutions (A, B, C, etc.) used in titration and qualitative analysis

WAEC practical specimens are released for several science subjects, including:

• Chemistry

• Biology

• Physics

• Agricultural Science

• Animal Husbandry

For Chemistry, the focus is usually on:

• Volumetric analysis (titration)

• Qualitative salt analysis

• Acid–base reactions

• Redox reactions

• Reducing sugar tests using Fehling’s solution

Understanding these specimens early gives candidates a huge advantage over those who prepare blindly.

WAEC Chemistry Practical Specimen 2026/2027: Official Materials for Each Candidate

According to WAEC’s standard format, each candidate is supplied with specific labelled solutions and chemicals, where n represents the candidate’s serial number.

Core Specimens Supplied to Each Candidate

Each candidate should be provided with:

1. 150 cm³ of tetraoxosulphate(VI) solution, labelled An

   • Contains 5.5 cm³ of concentrated H₂SO₄ per dm³

   • Used mainly for acid–base and redox titrations

2. 150 cm³ of potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution, labelled Bn

   • Contains 5.6 g of KOH per dm³

   • Commonly used for neutralization reactions

3. One spatulaful of (NH₄)₂SO₄.FeSO₄.6H₂O, labelled Cn

   • This double salt is used for redox titration, especially with KMnO₄

These labelled solutions form the foundation of the WAEC Chemistry practical examination.

WAEC 2025 Chemistry Practical Specimen (Reference Pattern)

From previous years, especially the WAEC 2025 Chemistry Practical, we can predict the 2026/2027 format with high accuracy.

The 2025 specimen focused on:

• Volumetric analysis

• Salt analysis

• Qualitative identification of ions

• Standard laboratory measurements

WAEC tends to repeat patterns, not necessarily exact questions. This means mastering the specimen list is far more important than memorizing past answers.

WAEC Chemistry Practical 2026 Alternative A: Full Reagents and Apparatus List

Alternative A is one of the most common practical formats used by WAEC.

Reagents Provided in Alternative A

Candidates are usually given:

• Dilute sodium hydroxide solution

• Dilute ammonia solution

• Dilute hydrochloric acid

• Distilled water

• Red and blue litmus paper

• Fehling’s solution I and II

• Concentrated tetraoxosulphate(VI) acid (H₂SO₄)

• Freshly prepared iron(II) tetraoxosulphate(VI) solution (FeSO₄)

Salts for Qualitative Analysis

Common salts include:

• Copper(II) oxide (CuO)

• Zinc sulphate (ZnSO₄)

• Sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃)

These are used to test:

• Cations and anions

• Solubility

• Precipitation reactions

• Colour changes

Apparatus for Alternative A

You should be familiar with:

• Burette (50 cm³)

• Pipette (20 cm³ or 25 cm³ – same volume for all candidates)

• Filtration apparatus

• Methyl orange indicator

• Boiling tube

• Test tubes

• Spatula

Measurement Instructions

WAEC is very strict about measurements:

• Only one 50 cm³ burette is used

• Only one standard pipette (20 cm³ or 25 cm³) per centre

• All apparatus must be clean and grease-free

Poor measurement technique is one of the biggest causes of low scores in WAEC Chemistry practical.

WAEC Chemistry Practical Alternative B: Reagents and Apparatus

Alternative B is more focused on qualitative analysis and confirmatory tests.

Reagents in Alternative B

These include:

• Red and blue litmus paper

• Aqueous ammonia

• Dilute hydrochloric acid

• Dilute sodium hydroxide solution

• Barium chloride solution

• Dilute trioxonitrate(V) acid

• Silver trioxonitrate(V) solution

These reagents are used to identify:

• Carbonates

• Sulphates

• Chlorides

• Nitrates

• Metal ions

Apparatus for Alternative B

• One 50 cm³ burette

• One standard pipette (20 cm³ or 25 cm³)

• Complete titration setup

• Standard qualitative analysis tools

Candidates must know how to:

• Add reagents drop by drop

• Observe precipitates and colour changes

• Record results clearly

Key Practical Areas WAEC Focuses On

From repeated WAEC patterns, the Chemistry practical exam usually tests three main areas:

1. Volumetric Analysis (Titration)

This involves:

• Acid–base titration

• Redox titration (KMnO₄ with FeSO₄)

• Use of indicators like methyl orange

You must master:

• Reading the burette

• Calculating average titre

• Writing correct equations

2. Qualitative Salt Analysis

You will test unknown salts to identify:

• Anions: CO₃²⁻, SO₄²⁻, Cl⁻, NO₃⁻

• Cations: Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Fe²⁺, NH₄⁺

This requires:

• Careful observation

• Correct inference

• Neat recording

3. Reducing Sugar Test (Fehling’s Test)

This test identifies:

• Reducing sugars like glucose

You must know:

• How to warm Fehling’s solutions

• How to observe brick-red precipitate

• How to record conclusions

Common Mistakes Candidates Make in WAEC Chemistry Practical

Every year, WAEC examiners report similar errors:

• Poor burette reading

• Wrong units in calculations

• Mixing up reagents

• Not washing apparatus properly

• Writing vague observations

• Forgetting chemical equations

Avoiding these mistakes alone can increase your score by 20–30%.

READ ALSO:

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Expert Tips to Score High in WAEC Chemistry Practical 2026/2027

1. Practice with real laboratory equipment

2. Memorize common ion tests and results

3. Master titration calculations

4. Learn standard observation language

5. Always label your tables correctly

6. Keep your work neat and organized

7. Read instructions carefully before starting

Remember: WAEC rewards accuracy, clarity, and neatness.

Why the WAEC Practical Specimen Is So Important

The practical specimen:

• Shows you what to expect

• Reduces fear and confusion

• Helps schools prepare materials

• Improves student confidence

• Increases pass rates

Students who study the specimen early always perform better than those who ignore it.

Conclusion

The WAEC Chemistry Practical Specimen 2026/2027 is not just a list of chemicals, it is a handbook to success in your practical examination.

By understanding:

• The labelled solutions (A, B, C)

• Alternative A and B

• The core practical areas

• The correct apparatus usage

You position yourself far ahead of the competition.

With consistent practice, careful observation, and proper preparation, you can score an excellent grade in WAEC Chemistry Practical 2026/2027 and boost your overall result.

The information therein is made to assist every Candidate and Students Preparing for WAEC Examination, it aids the understanding of the subject matter, Although the information may all not be accurate, we advise you verify the most Updated Information from the WAEC OFFICIAL PORTAL https://www.waeconline.org.ng/ As you will be more positioned with the right information when you combine the both article.

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