WAEC 2026 examination: Newly released subject combinations

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The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released subject combinations for 2026 examination.

Under the new arrangement, Science students can no longer take Economics.

Likewise, students in the Humanities, those in Literature, Government, or History, are also barred from taking Economics.

According to the new subject list, only students in the Business department are allowed to take Economics.

The WAEC exam, has its subjects combinations structured with a minimum of seven and a maximum of nine subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.

With all things remaining equally, generally, Science students focus on Physics, Chemistry, and Biology; Arts Students include Literature and a language like Yoruba, Igbo, or Hausa; and Commercial students emphasises on Economics. There are three basic areas of study in the Senior Secondary School Examination they are:

The three areas of study have WAEC subject combinations that are peculiar to each of them, for any career a student would want to pursue.

Only three subjects have been made totally Compulsory by the West African Examination Council, irrespective of your area of study, approved by the Federal Government.

The three subjects are:

English Language

Mathematics

Civic Education

WAEC Subject Combination For Science Students 2026/2027

The WAEC subjectcombination for science students includes subjects specific to the science field, most of which involve practical exams alongside theory and objective sections. These practicals, usually conducted in laboratories, require working with live specimens. Schools without proper lab facilities are given an alternative to the practical session. A student still has options aside from the ones listed below.