WAEC GCE 2024 Approved Subject List for 1st & 2nd Series Exams

How to Choose Subjects for WAEC GCE Examinations

Choosing the right subjects for your WAEC GCE (WASSCE for Private Candidates) is a crucial step toward your academic and career goals. To make the best choices, consider the following factors:

1. Career Aspirations

• Identify Your Future Career Path: Think about the career or field of study you intend to pursue. For example:
  • Medicine or Nursing: Focus on science subjects like Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics.
  • Engineering: Opt for Physics, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Chemistry, and technical subjects like Technical Drawing or Building Construction.
  • Business or Finance: Choose subjects like Economics, Commerce, Financial Accounting, and Mathematics.
  • Arts and Humanities: Select subjects such as Literature-in-English, Government, History, Christian Religious Studies (CRS), or Islamic Studies.

Choosing subjects related to your desired field will help you meet university admission requirements and prepare you for future studies.

2. University Admission Requirements

• Check Requirements for Your Preferred Course: Different courses at universities require specific subject combinations. Always verify the subject requirements for your intended university program. For example:
  • To study Law, universities typically require English Language, Literature-in-English, Government, and other arts-related subjects.
  • For Computer Science, you’ll need Mathematics, Physics, and possibly Further Mathematics.

Make sure you choose the core subjects required for the course you want to study in higher education.

3. Strengths and Interests

• Choose Subjects You Excel In: Pick subjects that align with your strengths and that you enjoy. If you’re naturally good at Mathematics, consider subjects like Further Mathematics or Physics. If you’re passionate about reading and writing, Literature-in-English or History may be better suited to you.
• Avoid Overloading Yourself: Choose a manageable number of subjects. For WAEC GCE, most candidates select between 8-9 subjects, including compulsory ones like English Language and Mathematics.

4. Compulsory Subjects

• Some subjects are compulsory for all candidates, regardless of their career path. These include:
  • English Language
  • General Mathematics
• Ensure these subjects are included in your selection.

5. Balancing Core and Elective Subjects

• Core Subjects: These are essential for all candidates and may include subjects like English Language, Mathematics, and Civic Education.
• Elective Subjects: These should align with your academic interests and career goals. Elective subjects range from sciences (e.g., Biology, Chemistry, Physics) to social sciences and humanities (e.g., Government, Economics, Literature-in-English).

Example of a Balanced Subject Selection for a Science Student:

• Core: English Language, Mathematics, Civic Education
• Electives: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Further Mathematics, Agricultural Science

Example of a Balanced Subject Selection for an Arts Student:

• Core: English Language, Mathematics, Civic Education
• Electives: Literature-in-English, Government, Christian Religious Studies (CRS), Economics, Yoruba

6. Consultation with a Guidance Counselor or Teacher

• If you’re unsure which subjects to choose, consult with a school counselor or teacher. They can provide insights based on your academic performance and career goals.

7. Subject Combination Guidelines

• Avoid selecting similar or overlapping subjects (e.g., Economics and Commerce together may not be beneficial in some cases).
• Diversify your options by choosing subjects that give you flexibility in applying for different courses or jobs.

Final Tips for Choosing WAEC GCE Subjects:

• Choose at least one subject in the field you wish to study in higher education.
• Ensure you meet the minimum number of required subjects (usually 8-9).
• Avoid subjects that are too difficult for you or irrelevant to your career path.

Taking the time to carefully select your subjects will set you up for success in the WAEC GCE exams and beyond.