Complete WAEC Science Subjects Preparation Guide 2026

High-Yield Topics (60% of Exam Questions)

• Cell Biology & Organization: Cell structure, cell division (mitosis/meiosis), tissues, organs. This appears in every exam - master the diagrams!
• Genetics & Evolution: Mendelian genetics, blood groups, inheritance patterns, natural selection. Understand Punnett squares thoroughly.
• Human Systems: Digestive, circulatory, respiratory, excretory, nervous systems. Know the parts, functions, and diseases.
• Ecology & Environment: Food chains, nutrient cycles, pollution, conservation. Always appears in Section A.
• Plant Biology: Photosynthesis, respiration, tropism, plant hormones. Practice leaf diagrams and experiments.
• Reproduction: Asexual vs sexual reproduction, human reproductive system, seed germination. Common theory question.

Biology Study Strategy (6-Week Plan)

Week 1-2: Master the Basics

• Read and summarize all topics in your textbook
• Create flashcards for scientific terms and definitions
• Draw and label ALL diagrams (cell, heart, kidney, leaf, flower, etc.)
• Complete 50 objective questions daily from past papers

Week 3-4: Practice & Application

• Solve past questions from 2015-2025 (focus on recurring questions)
• Practice classification questions (animal kingdom, plant kingdom)
• Memorize all biological processes step-by-step
• Study ecological relationships and food webs in detail

Week 5-6: Theory & Practical Mastery

• Practice 10 theory questions (write full essays, time yourself)
• Master practical experiments: food tests, osmosis, photosynthesis
• Revise all diagrams - you must draw them from memory
• Take 5 full mock exams under exam conditions

Biology Practical Exam Tips

• Observation is Key: Describe what you see accurately. Use scientific terms like "serrated margin" not "rough edge".
• Drawing Rules: Use pencil, draw large, label with straight lines, no shading, use proper biological proportions.
• Food Tests: Memorize all reagents and color changes: Benedict's (reducing sugar), Iodine (starch), Biuret (protein).
• Classification: Always give reasons for your classification using observable features.

High-Yield Topics (65% of Exam Questions)

• Atomic Structure & Bonding: Electron configuration, ionic/covalent bonds, periodic table trends. Foundation for everything!
• Stoichiometry & Mole Concept: Mole calculations, empirical formula, limiting reagent. Appears in EVERY exam.
• Acids, Bases & Salts: pH, neutralization, salt preparation, titration calculations. Common theory question.
• Redox Reactions: Oxidation numbers, balancing redox equations, electrochemical series. Master this early!
• Organic Chemistry: Hydrocarbons, functional groups, isomerism, polymerization. Always 15-20 marks in theory.
• Chemical Equilibrium & Rates: Le Chatelier's principle, factors affecting reaction rates, energy diagrams.

Chemistry Study Strategy (8-Week Plan)

Week 1-2: Build Strong Foundations

• Master the periodic table: groups, periods, trends in reactivity
• Understand atomic structure thoroughly (protons, electrons, neutrons)
• Practice electron configuration for elements 1-30
• Learn chemical bonding: ionic, covalent, metallic, hydrogen bonds

Week 3-4: Calculations & Equations

• Master mole calculations: mass-mole-volume conversions
• Practice stoichiometry problems daily (at least 10 questions)
• Learn to balance chemical equations quickly
• Understand limiting reagent and percentage yield

Week 5-6: Organic & Physical Chemistry

• Memorize all organic chemistry functional groups and reactions
• Practice drawing structural formulas and isomers
• Study rates of reaction and equilibrium in detail
• Master energy diagrams and thermochemistry

Week 7-8: Theory, Practical & Revision

• Practice qualitative analysis (identification of cations/anions)
• Master titration calculations and procedure
• Write 15 full theory essays (acids/bases, organic chem, electrolysis)
• Complete 10 past papers under timed conditions

Chemistry Calculation Shortcuts

• Mole Formula: n = m/M (moles = mass ÷ molar mass). Write this first in every calculation!
• Concentration: C = n/V (concentration = moles ÷ volume in dm³)
• Gas Law: PV = nRT (memorize R = 0.082 or 8.314)
• pH Calculations: pH = -log[H⁺]. For quick estimates: pH 1 = 0.1M, pH 2 = 0.01M

Chemistry Practical Exam Secrets

• Qualitative Analysis: Learn the confirmatory tests for all common ions (carbonate, sulfate, chloride, Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, Cu²⁺, etc.)
• Titration Accuracy: Rinse burette with solution to be used, remove air bubbles, read meniscus at eye level.
• Observation Recording: State color changes precisely: "colorless to pink" not just "changed color".
• Safety First: Always mention safety precautions in your answers (wear goggles, use fume hood, etc.)

High-Yield Topics (70% of Exam Questions)

• Mechanics: Motion, Newton's laws, work-energy-power, projectiles. Highest weightage in every exam!
• Electricity & Magnetism: Current, voltage, resistance, Ohm's law, electromagnetic induction. Always 25+ marks.
• Waves & Optics: Wave properties, reflection, refraction, lenses, mirrors. Common theory and practical topic.
• Heat & Thermodynamics: Temperature, specific heat, heat transfer, gas laws. Calculation-heavy section.
• Modern Physics: Atomic structure, radioactivity, nuclear reactions. Easy marks if studied well.
• Simple Machines: Levers, pulleys, mechanical advantage, velocity ratio. Always appears in Section B.

Physics Study Strategy (7-Week Plan)

Week 1-2: Master All Formulas

• Create a formula sheet for EVERY topic (you'll have 50+ formulas)
• Practice deriving formulas (helps with understanding)
• Solve 20 calculation problems daily focusing on different topics
• Understand units: always convert to SI units before calculating

Week 3-4: Mechanics & Electricity Deep Dive

• Master kinematics equations: v = u + at, s = ut + ½at², v² = u² + 2as
• Practice projectile motion and friction problems
• Understand circuit analysis: series and parallel resistances
• Solve Ohm's law and power calculations until automatic

Week 5-6: Waves, Heat & Modern Physics

• Practice ray diagrams for mirrors and lenses (draw 20+)
• Master Snell's law and critical angle calculations
• Understand heat transfer and temperature conversions
• Study radioactivity: half-life calculations, types of radiation

Week 7: Theory Questions & Past Papers

• Practice 12 theory essays covering all major topics
• Master practical experiments: pendulum, Ohm's law, focal length
• Complete 8 full past papers (2018-2025) under exam time
• Review all mistakes and understand why you got them wrong

Essential Physics Formulas (Memorize These!)

Mechanics:

• Speed = distance/time; Velocity = displacement/time
• Acceleration = (v - u)/t; Force = mass × acceleration
• Momentum = mass × velocity; Kinetic Energy = ½mv²
• Potential Energy = mgh; Work = Force × distance
• Power = Work/time = Energy/time

Electricity:

• V = IR (Ohm's law); P = IV = I²R = V²/R
• Q = It (charge = current × time); E = QV (energy)
• Series: Rtotal = R1 + R2 + R3...
• Parallel: 1/Rtotal = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3...

Waves & Light:

• v = fλ (wave speed = frequency × wavelength)
• n = sin i/sin r (refractive index)
• 1/f = 1/u + 1/v (lens formula); M = v/u (magnification)

Heat:

• Q = mcΔT (heat = mass × specific heat × temp change)
• Q = mL (heat = mass × latent heat)
• PV/T = constant (ideal gas law)

Physics Practical Exam Tips

• Graph Plotting: Use 2/3 of the graph paper, label axes with units, draw line of best fit, calculate gradient with large triangle.
• Reading Instruments: Vernier caliper (0.01cm), micrometer screw gauge (0.01mm), metre rule (0.1cm). Know the precision!
• Precautions: Always state 2-3 precautions taken (avoid parallax error, repeated readings, clean surfaces, etc.)
• Calculation Accuracy: Show all working steps, keep at least 3 significant figures, include units in final answer.

1. Create a Cross-Subject Study Schedule

Don't study all three sciences in one day. Spread them out to avoid confusion:

• Monday: Biology + Mathematics
• Tuesday: Chemistry + English
• Wednesday: Physics + Economics
• Thursday: Biology + Chemistry
• Friday: Physics + Other subjects
• Weekend: Practice tests + Revision

2. Use the "Teach-Back" Method

After studying a topic, explain it to someone else (or imagine explaining it). If you can't teach it simply, you don't understand it well enough.

3. Focus on Past Questions

WAEC repeats questions! About 30-40% of questions each year are variations of previous years. Solve past questions from 2015-2025 thoroughly.

4. Master Diagrams and Practical Skills

Science practicals contribute 30-40% of your total score. Practice drawing diagrams, conducting experiments, and writing observations.

5. Join Study Groups (Online or Offline)

Discussing difficult concepts with peers helps solidify understanding. Use WhatsApp groups, Discord servers, or physical study groups.

6. Use Mnemonics for Complex Information

• Biology: "Kids Playing Catch On Freeways Get Smashed" (Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species)
• Chemistry: "OIL RIG" (Oxidation Is Loss, Reduction Is Gain - of electrons)
• Physics: "Very Ugly XMen Invade Russia" (VUXIMR - for electromagnetic spectrum order)

7. Practice Under Exam Conditions

Take at least 5 full mock exams for each subject:

• Set timer for exact exam duration (2-3 hours)
• No distractions, no phone, no notes
• Mark yourself honestly using the marking scheme
• Identify weak areas and focus on them

Biology Mistakes:

• ❌ Drawing diagrams too small or without labels
• ❌ Confusing similar terms (diffusion vs osmosis, mitosis vs meiosis)
• ❌ Not practicing classification questions enough
• ❌ Writing vague practical observations instead of specific details

Chemistry Mistakes:

• ❌ Not balancing equations before calculating
• ❌ Forgetting to convert units (grams to kg, cm³ to dm³)
• ❌ Mixing up oxidation and reduction
• ❌ Poor time management (spending too long on calculations)

Physics Mistakes:

• ❌ Not writing formulas before substituting values
• ❌ Forgetting to include units in final answers
• ❌ Poor graph plotting skills (wrong scale, no line of best fit)
• ❌ Not stating precautions taken in practical exams

Textbooks:

• Biology: New School Biology by Ramalingam, Essential Biology by Lam Peng Kwan
• Chemistry: New School Chemistry by Ababio, Chemistry for Senior Secondary Schools
• Physics: New School Physics by Anyakoha, Physics for Senior Secondary Certificate

Online Practice:

• WAEC EXAM Platform: Free practice questions with instant feedback
• Past Questions: Download 10 years of WAEC past questions
• Video Lessons: YouTube channels like Khanacademy, CrashCourse for concept clarity

Study Apps:

• Anki (for flashcards and spaced repetition)
• Quizlet (community-created study sets)
• Periodic Table app (for Chemistry element properties)
• Physics Toolbox (for practical experiments and simulations)